Fundación Maria | ACICRC15-20 | 2023-03-03 - 2024-10-31 | ELDE,SOCI | Age: 18 - 99

This organization aims to provide a quality service to elderly people who require it as a result of their situation, either of poverty or of disability, by means of comprehensive care in an appropriate setting according to current guidelines. History: Hogar Maria was founded on December 23rd, 1992, when Doña María Madrigal Sánchez donated a property which then became the base of “Fundación María”. On May 15th, 2012, the first stone was laid to build the current Hogar Maria building. Thanks to the collaboration of many institutions, the people of Santo Domingo de Heredia and other generous people, the new building opened its doors on Thursday, July 12, 2012. Mission: Provide a quality service to residents through comprehensive care, in adequate facilities and in accordance with current regulations. Vision: To be a solid institution, dedicated to the comprehensive care of older adults in conditions of social risk, poverty and disability. Specific Goals: 1. Maintain an environment of strict cleanliness and decoration in the building. 2. Ensure correct hygienic care for residents and the required medical care. 3. Provide a quality, healthy and balanced diet. 4. Promote activity through physical exercise. 5. Facilitate recreational, religious, and civic activities that promote a healthy entertainment, strengthen memory, and improve self-esteem.

Work: - The tasks are mainly related to providing company and sharing experiences with the residents. - Talking to the elderly people in order to get to know their likes, needs, health and to benefit from their advice and experience. - Helping during mealtimes to serve the elderly people. - Supporting in the laundry and cooking department. - Supporting in the maintenance of the place. - Participating in activities such as exercise or workshops (sewing, cooking, arts and crafts etc.). - Coordinating some activities with the health professionals who are working in the institution.

Accomodation and food: (X) Hosting situation provided by Local Family. ( ) Hosting situation provided by the Project. The volunteer will be hosted in a family relatively close to the project. The majority of families are middle class. The volunteer will, in most cases, have his/her own room and a shared bathroom (with the family and sometimes with another volunteer). Meals will be provided by the host families (3 meals a day). The volunteer will bring the lunch with him/her to the project. All families are different, and you should be able to adapt to a certain degree to your host family.

Location: SantoDomingoHerediaProvinceCostaRica

Location and Leisure: The project is located in Santo Domingo, Heredia Province. It is a semi-urban town close to the cities of Heredia, San Pablo and San José. It has all the regular facilities from any city around. It is located in the Central Valley region of Costa Rica. It is important to mention that you should not walk around at night, as it can be a little dangerous when it is dark. Furthermore, do not show your valuable items, such as phones, wallets (money), watches, etc. when you are in the street.

Airport: SJO

Train/Bus station: Volunteers will be picked up at the airport.

Requirements: - Must be eighteen years old or older. - Must be presentable, have good personal hygiene, good conversational skills and treat the residents with respect. - Patience and tolerance - Basic level of Spanish - Be independent, show initiative and be prepared to complete many different tasks. - Be prepared to work with elderly people and to participate enthusiastically. - Possess a mindset of solidarity and be prepared to give a generous commitment to fulfil your potential whilst respecting and actively defending the dignity of the residents and allowing the personal development of each resident with empathy and patience.

Volunteers will be picked up at the airport.

Language: esp

Extra Fee: 300 USD

Fundación Maria is a permanent project, so they receive volunteers all year long. They have a capacity of around 1-2 volunteers per week and there are no limitations in the number of female or male volunteers, but yes, we recommend volunteers to be adults (+18).