Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is seeking an energetic, proactive individual to volunteer in the role of Database Programmer/Designer for our Latin America/Caribbean (LAC) area office.  This position will be based at the LAC area office in San Jose, Costa Rica. 

This volunteer will focus on completing the Access Database for the department and publishing the information to internal sites.  The materials will be viewed and utilized by all of the offices throughout the LAC region. Other duties will be assigned to make this a full 3 month volunteer engagement starting as soon as possible.

ABOUT THE LAC AREA OFFICE: The office is located in the north-western perimeter of metro San José (the neighborhood of La Uruca, near the Best Western Irazú Hotel.  The volunteer should anticipate pursuing a furnished apartment in/around the city (or suburbs), and that the commute could be anywhere between one-half to one-full hour.  Bus transportation is readily available, and very reasonably priced, and while taxis are abundant they will be more costly.  "Home Stays" are also available (whereby the volunteer would occupy one room in a family's house - generally with their own bathroom), and can decrease the amount of money needed during the posting.

The weather is spectacular.  Costa Rica has the greatest variety of plants, trees, birds, and animals of any country on the planet!  The dry season is from December through May and is practically perfect - warm during the day, and cool at night.  So light-weight clothing is recommended, but a sweater or light jacket might be needed later in the evening.  Of course, one will need to be well prepared for the frequent rains during the other months.

Office attire is "business casual," so shorts are not permitted - but comfortable clothing is the norm. 

ABOUT COSTA RICA: Costa Rica (Spanish for “rich coast” - officially the Republic of Costa Rica), is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south-southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and south and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Costa Rica was the first country in the world to constitutionally abolish its army.

As of July 2008, the population was more than 4.2 million. Ethnic groups include 94 percent white (including mestizo); 3 percent black; 1 percent Amerindian; 1 percent Chinese and 1 percent other. Nicaraguan immigrants make up 10 to 15 percent of the population. The indigenous population today numbers about 29,000, or less than 1 percent.

San Jose is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. San Jose’s elevation gives it a mild climate. The temperature ranges between 15 degrees C and 26 degrees C. The rainy season is from May to late November, but cloudiness and rainfall can occur during the dry season. Relative humidity tends to range between 60 and 90 percent. The climate is similar throughout the country, but you'll know when you're passing through the "rain" forest!

Residents from other countries may be surprised to see that most of the residential homes are secured by iron fences, locked gates, and razor-wire at the top.  One of the reasons for this is that homes and lots are small, and the fences help to clearly define the spaces.  The other reason is that it gives potential criminals a harder time to make an impact.  The feeling here is that if strong security is provided (also in terms of having local guards paid for by neighborhood associations), then those that might want to create problems would look elsewhere.

Crime is more a question of "opportunity."  If some individuals are given the chance to make an easy mark, they will take that opportunity.  The same can be said for traveling around the country: so long as proper security precautions are adhered to (and one is conscious of not flaunting "relative wealth"), then visitors to the country should feel comfortable.

Credit cards are readily accepted at most stores, restaurants, and grocery stores.  However, International cards are not accepted on all "platforms," so doing something as simple as trying to add more minutes to a pre-paid phone can be challenging.  However, ATM machines are everywhere, and the cost per transaction is reasonable. Costa Rica is recognized as having excellent medical facilities, and many come here for the quality of the dental care and plastic surgery.

Lastly, Costa Rica is an outdoor-enthusiasts paradise.  There are volcanoes  everywhere (several active, most dormant, some lake-filled), and the hills are excellent for hiking and biking.  It's positioning on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts gives new meaning to the phrase "finding the beach of your dreams."  Eco-tourism, zip-lining, nature trails, adventure sports - all these and more are possible during your time here. 

ANTICIPATED HOST ORGANIZATION SUPPORT:

*$400 monthly stipend
*Laptop provided for use during work hours

ANTICIPATED COSTS TO THE VOLUNTEER:

Monthly estimate for a single individual is given below. (All figures are in USD.)

For a rental apartment:
Housing: $500
Utilities: $50
Food: $150
Transportation to and from office: $30
Other (recreation and personal expenses) :$150
Estimated Monthly Total: $880

For a homestay:
Housing: $300
Food: $100
Transportation to and from office: $30
Other (recreation and personal expenses) :$150
Estimated Monthly Total: $580