Archive for October 3rd, 2008
Friday, October 3rd, 2008
“Pura Vida” — Costa Ricans’ traditional greeting meaning “pure life” — speaks of walking lightly and giving back to the earth. Costa Ricans are proud of their natural resources and heritage, integrating a “conservation attitude” into their daily lives. Costa Rican culture values flexibility and community spirit, so our assignments change frequently. Here’s a place to roll up your sleeves and make a difference!
Several local communities and organizations in the Santa Elena area have requested assistance with important development projects. For instance, at the Cooperativa de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde (CASEM), a non-profit crafts cooperative dedicated to enhancing the ecomomic and emotional well-being of local women, volunteers assist members on building and painting projects.
If you enjoy measuring your efforts by the shovels-full, this program will suit your appetite for “soft adventure,” while you simultaneously make a significant contribution to a friendly rural community. Help with “hands-on” projects that leave you feeling invested in the futures of the people you serve.
In consultation with the United Nations, Global Volunteers helps build a foundation for world peace through on-going development projects on six continents, including locations in the USA. Child and classroom sponsorships also available!
Volunteer as an individual, with your family, or as a group. Student and multi-person discounts available. See our comprehensive web site at www.globalvolunteers.org or call us at 800-487-1074for details on program locations, work projects, team schedules, tax-deductible service program fees, discounts, volunteer stories, feature articles and more.
No special skills required, but team members must be in good health and speak English.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, October 3rd, 2008
Costa Rica’s accumulated inflation between September 2007 and September 2008 reached 15.77 percent, the highest year-on-year figure for the last 10 years, the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) said on Thursday.
In the first nine months of this year, the inflation rate reached 11.83 percent, with the Central Bank of Costa Rica forecasting that it would reach 14.2 percent at the end of the year.
Figures showed that the Consumer Price Index (CPI), by which inflation is measured in the country, rose 0.95 percent in September compared with August, with prices for 68 percent of the commodities rising in the month, including food and non-alcoholic drinks.
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008
With more and more North Americans moving to Costa Rica, many businesses opening “overseas” locations here and, of course, the explosive tourism industry, Costa Rica recognizes the ever-increasing need for a population proficient in English.
The government is pushing to make English a common language for the majority of the population. In order to make that goal a reality, over 1100 of the nation’s English teachers have entered the Costa Rica Multilingüe program to receive intensive training to improve their reading comprehension and conversational English skills. The government’s goal is for 75% of high school students attain proficiency in English by 2017.
The Ministry of Public Education (MEP) hopes to solve the problem of English teachers whose own skills make it difficult for them to teach classes in English.
Participating teachers will complete the program’s 140 classroom hours with twice-weekly classes running through December at 62 centers located throughout the country. Costa Rica’s academic year follows the calendar year, so the English teachers will put their newly honed skills to the test when the new school year begins in February.
A group including language specialists, teachers, and representatives of private industry will monitor the teachers’ progress and seek to more precisely identify the skills of teachers, students and professionals who use the English language in both the educational system and the private sector.
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Friday, October 3rd, 2008
Rios Tropicales River Rafting Adventure
COSTA RICA-Ríos Tropicales, a rafting and adventure company in Costa Rica, is committed to socially responsible business practices and initiatives. The founders understood from the beginning that in order to truly enjoy Costa Rica’s rivers and rainforests, they would need to ensure that they were available for future generations, and that the local communities were involved in the development and growth of the business. Their efforts have brought entrepreneurs, trees, and even a jaguar to the local communities where they operate. (more…)
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