Volunteers’ Testimonies - Costa Rica

Volunteer Program Evaluation Form

Andrea Mackintosh
245 Hardie road, Kelowna, BC
Date and Country of Program: December 27, 2009 – January 2, 2010 Costa Rica

We appreciate if you kindly summarize your volunteer experience with RCDP international:

We were the first volunteers to Costa Rica through RCDP and worked in the PANI orphanage for teenage boys in La Garita. We had a wonderful experience that was so rich and truly unforgettable. The family we stayed with was perfect and very accommodating. Atenas is the perfect place in Costa Rica to volunteer. It is centrally located so you can travel anywhere on the weekends without too much trouble, and it is also a great mix of convenience and true Tico experience. I would advise against anyone staying in San Jose, which by comparison, has very few redeeming qualities. I would NOT recommend the PANI orphanage for any young women on their own as the boys really aren’t very respectful of women. And I would advise that any men/boys going be very sure of themselves and able to deflect mocking and even mild physical abuse as the boys are pretty angry and somewhat hands-on. Tina was an amazing resource once we got there, and even before we left. Your prices were the best we found as well. Overall a great experience and we have already recommended you to friends. Thanks for a great experience!

• Do you recommend RCDP International volunteer program to your friends/families? Yes
• Can you provide your email address for future volunteers? If yes, please write your e-mail: senordeutsch@aol.com

Thank you!

Volunteer Program Evaluation Form

Kinzy Frizzle
Calgary AB Canada
Volunteer Date and country: December 27 2009 to January 4 2010 in Costa Rica

We appreciate if you kindly summarize your volunteer experience with RCDP international:

I'd like to start by saying the trip was an amazing experience, I had an absolute blast while I was there. I only had a week because I am in school, but if I did it again I would definitely want to go for longer!

RCDP picked us up at the airport and they were there for us throughout the rest of the trip.

It was very easy to get to the project by bus (although speaking Spanish definitely came in handy!).

We met a variety of incredible people at the project and the staff there were awesome! They taught us a lot and had us very much involved in the work being done! Some highlights included seeing 2 leatherback turtles - about 6 feet long!

We did not have any issues or problems at all. The accommodations and the food were good. Although I will say that if you were there for any extended period of time it would be recommended to take vitamin supplements because you do not get fed barely any fruit and vegetables, and very limited meat.

The location is gorgeous!

Again, the trip was amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

• Do you recommend RCDP International volunteer program to your friends/families? Yes
• Can you provide your email address for future volunteers? If yes, please write your e-mail:kfrizzle@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Volunteer Program Evaluation Form

Rick and Kandi Deutsch
14 S. Highwood Ave, Glen Rock NJ 07452
Date and Country of Program: Jan 2010, Costa Rica

We appreciate if you kindly summarize your volunteer experience with RCDP international:

We were the first volunteers to Costa Rica through RCDP and worked in orphanage for teenage boys. We had a wonderful experience that was so rich and truly unforgettable. The family we stayed with was perfect and very accommodating. Tina was an amazing resource once we got there, and even before we left. Your prices were the best we found as well. Overall a great experience and we have already recommended you to friends. Thanks for a great experience!

Thank you!