There are a lot of hungry birds here and preparing all their food can get repetative. They can also make a lot of mess that you will be involved with helping us clear up. Most of the refuge birds are confiscated from MINAE and come from very poor conditions - some are handicapped, some have mental problems - so don't be surprised! Due to this some of the birds are only secure in smaller cages than we would ideally keep them in. It may not be just macaws - ducks, dogs, iguana's etc need to be fed and cleaned out too. The hours - we work 7am to noon and 2pm -4pm, except Sundays which are 6am - noon and 4pm - 6pm Six days a week.

Practical Information

Costa Rica is one of the safest Central American countries, there hasn't been any political turbulence since the army was given up over 50 years ago. For more practical information on the country, it is a good idea to buy a guide to Costa Rica, but here is some general information to get you started...

Vacinations
You will need to talk to your doctor about what vaccinations to take, but you will probably need Yellow Fever, Rabies, Hepatitis A, Polio and Tetanus. Malaria is not a big problem here, but you should talk to your doctor about whether to take pills or not.

Visas
Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter Costa Rica as a tourist, but the tourist visa issued upon arrival only applies for three months, please check this. After this you can try to apply for temporary residency, but this is a long and drawn out process, and most volunteers just leave the country for at least 72 hours, and visit neighbouring Panama or Nicaragua every three months, before re-entering Costa Rica.

US citizens can claim tax back on money spent here, but there may be additional taxes, e.g. airport taxes, you will have to check this out before coming.

Things you will need

Some of these items you can obtain locally.

If you're still interested after all that, and would like to apply, send an e-mail to Marti, with a CV and the contact details of two referees.
In your e-mail, please state your reasons for applying, your avicultural experience, when you will be available to join us, and for how long

With gardens, the finca and maintenance…

We are always in need of volunteers to work on the finca. If you know anything about gardening, come and work with the orchids, gingers, chocolate trees, coffee plants, and other plants and shrubs. The garden is an original "Lankaster" (the botanist) garden, and belonged to the Lankaster family, hence the vast variety of plants, shrubs and trees.

We always need help with paving, paths, hedging and general organization in the garden. We also need help on the finca with banana trees, planting crops and tending for ongoing plants including sugar cane, sunflower, sweet potato, maize, peanuts, carrots etc. So come and work with the local workers, experience the 'real' Costa Rica, and help your Spanish along too.

We are also in desperate need of a Handyman - do you have experience in fencing, carpentry, plumbing, welding, repairs or general maintenance - HELP!

With education…

We are looking for a volunteer student/teacher/teacher on holiday - who would like to come and start an education program at Amigos de las Aves.

You will need to speak Spanish, and be able to commit for at least two months. We are producing a series of quiz sheets, fact sheets, coloring books, etc that would be a complete "schools pak". We would like this pack to be presented to children at the local schools and churches, as arranged by you, in a series of classes for the whole school. Maybe even take a bird along with you

We hope that this vital teaching aid would enhance the understanding of children to the plight of birds in Costa Rica. By answering some serious and important questions, we hope to show the children how they can help, how their choices for the future can affect Costa Rica, what they can do to help now. A survey within the schools, involving parents, teachers and kids, will enhance our knowledge and perhaps influence the teaching in schools and the awareness by the government.

We hope that our program expands by word of mouth allowing us to increase the number of talks and expands to cities and towns further afield.

A tall order, but one we hope is achievable.
If you think you can help and have some bright ideas? Then come and join us.

The Homestays

We have two homestays available to the Breeding Centre, both within five minutes walking distance

Daisy's homestay has three large self contained rooms with their own bathroom, and if you like privacy and relative peace and quiet - this is the one for you. Also the best opportunity to practice your Spanish here. You will be part of the family home and you eat with the family. Three meals a day are provided. The cost is $15 a day (you might need to share) or $20 for your own room.

 

For non volunteers to book, phone: Daisy & Leo Chaves - (506) 440 6445/842 4651

At Margarita's homestay you will be living within her large family - children included, she provides warm hospitality to all. You may be sharing a room if there are lots of volunteers, but the price includes three good meals a day and laundry too. The cost is $15 a day for volunteers and $20 a day for non volunteers.

To book for non volunteers, phone: (506) 430 3074/ 441 1464

 

With Funding...

If you think you have a flair for raising funding - then as a non profit organisation, we could really do with your help.

Our project is a very emotional one - animals usually are - and we hope to see all our hard work and hours of donated labour end in tears of joy - with our very own parent reared babies flying free, in their own environment and in their own country. We want this project to be the first successful re-introduction of Macaws! But to continue this, we need ongoing funding...

It's a never ending story……. we are always in need of something…. food, locks, computer supplies, veterinary supplies, fencing, security lights, wiring, welding facilities, mowers, staff, tools, wiring, pumps…. the list is endless ……