Get active with a scenic trek through tropical rainforests and lush waterfalls. Play soccer in the jungle with the locals, and immerse yourself in indigenous cultures. Finally, relax on beautiful white-sand beaches before heading home.
From tropical, rainforest waterfalls to unspoiled beaches, Costa Rica is world-renowned for its stunning natural beauty. You’ll get to experience it all whilst learning about the importance of protecting the rights of indigenous people and the environment. You’ll help experience and protect the ancient culture of the indigenous population through farming, culture and music – even learning to speak the local language! You’ll visit local families and help to run a school soccer program - all whilst learning how the game is protecting the rights of indigenous people and promoting and protecting equal rights for girls and women.
Your journey starts in San José, lively capital of Costa Rica and the largest city in the country, home to bustling markets, museums and colonial-era mansions before you visit Salitre to learn the culture and customs of the native people, the BriBri Pa Kanebelo. After living, learning and playing with the locals you’ll visit the stunning La Casona lodge to experience Costa Rica’s natural splendor and learn about sustainable tourism.
It’s easy to see why this Central American nation is the birthplace of pura vida – the pure life. But away from the tourist hotspots, life isn’t easy for everyone. Indigenous communities lack basic rights and representation and suffer from discrimination and lack of opportunity. During your trip you’ll experience first-hand how soccer is helping bring hope and opportunity to young people from the indigenous community.
DAY 1: Depart for Costa Rica. Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica. Hotel check in and welcome meeting with Team Leader.
DAY 2: Meet local NGO SEPROJOVEN, participate in inclusive soccer activity with Liga Fem. the third half curriculum workshop #1 - Global Citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals.
DAY 3: Transfer to El Salitre. Tour of the BriBriPa Cultural Center to learn about indigenous culture.
DAY 4: Visit environmental conservation areas (primary forests, waterfalls) Learn the local BriBriPa language. Help teach kids at a local school.
DAY 5: Community soccer workshop Visit a local family. the third half curriculum workshop #2 - Conscious Leadership.
DAY 6: Artisanal workshop and visit to natural savannah. Dance and song gathering in BriBri with local community.
DAY 7: Visit to forest tree nursery and tree-planting workshop near local soccer fields. Farewell gathering at BriBriPa Cultural Center with dancing and singing.
DAY 8: Transfer to La Casona. Educational activities with young people from the Copa Indígena project. Community soccer event. Arrival a la Casona y way back to Bribripa, Salitre.
DAY 9: Transfer to Boruca, a community of indigenas, workshop of creating tradicional and ecological masks, and furthermore sewing. Transfer to the hotel in the national parque “Marino Ballena“ the third half curriculum workshop #3: Sustainable Development Goal #4 - Gender Equality.
DAY 10: Visiting the National Parque “Marino Ballena“. Swimming in the sea, tour with a small boat including snorkeling and after this promenades on the sea
DAY 11: Return to San Jose. Check into accommodations. Farewell dinner with SEPROJOVEN staff.
DAY 12: Free time and depart San Jose, Costa Rica for home.
Your trip will be hosted by the respected non-profit organization SEPROJOVEN which uses soccer to help strengthen cultural values and social skills, promote leadership and encourage intercultural exchanges. You’ll help SEPROJOVEN coaches bring soccer and life skills programs to local indigenous communities, join them in language, dance and singing classes and help local families with harvesting, craft-making and sugar-cane grinding. Thanks to your visit, SEPROJOVEN will be able to achieve goals like; Provide soccer equipment for the Liga Fem soccer league for girls and the Copa Indigena for local indigenous children Organize a youth leadership training camp for local young people to become the next generation of leaders in their community Organise artistic workshops for local indigenous youth.
