Every June you can serve youth and children while gaining experience in your field of study. This is a full-immersion, Spanish-speaking only internship in areas of youth/children’s ministry, elementary education, psychology, and social work.
Costa Rica
CoLaboradores Internacionales serves Nicaraguan immigrant families and Costa Rican families in the impoverished settlement area of La Carpio alongside local organizations, providing services including basic education, interactive bible studies, nutrition, arts and crafts activities, vocational training as well as an annual nature camp. We have been serving in Costa Rica since 2021.
Within La Carpio, are nine neighborhoods, the poorest of which is Las Gradas. Las Gradas (The Steps) is built on a cliffside with a polluted river at the bottom, inaccessible by car and named for the 125 steps that are surrounded by makeshift homes. It has about 52,000 inhabitants – largely Nicaraguans who have fled turmoil in their home country. They live in extreme poverty but are working hard to make a life for their families. Some of the largest concerns for the community are sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, gang activity, and lack of nutrition and educational resources. CoLaboradores Internacionales assists locally-led efforts including Las Gradas Betel (CFCI-CR), founded by Marielos, a Costa Rican therapist. Staff members grew up in the community, once in the same place as these children.
368,000
Nicaraguans represent the largest immigrant group in Costa Rica, accounting for approximately 7% of the total population.
80%
The number of Nicaraguan migrants in Costa Rica face significant food insecurity, identifying access to food as a primary need.
6%
The number of the world's known biodiversity is in Costa Rica with 90,000+ species despite covering only 0.03% to 0.1% of the Earth's land surface.
Carlos and Mary
Mary and Carlos live in the community they serve – helping children facing difficult life experiences through education, arts, crafts, and interactive activities.
Hynson Family
Meet the Hynsons! Serving immigrant children in the impoverished community of Las Gradas since 2021.
Camp Encuentro
Living in an impoverished settlement area, the children we help have no access to green space. Each January, we run a nature camp for them!
Support our programming
Your generosity helps us serve Nicaraguan immigrant families, providing services including basic education, mental wellness groups, nutrition, arts and crafts activities, and vocational training in sewing.