Orotina is a semi-urban community of
around 20,000 people, located less than an hour west of San José. Its strategic location halfway between the
capital and Jacó, one of the most popular tourist beaches in Costa Rica, means
that there is a wealth of employment opportunities within commuting distance of
its residents. However, the vast
majority of these entry-level positions in restaurants, hotels, shops, and the
tourist industry require some level of English mastery.
As a larger town with many resources and organizations, Orotina
has seven elementary schools that feed into the local public high school. Although each elementary has an English
curriculum, some schools have more than 900 students per English teacher. This shortage of teachers, combined with
erratic class schedules, often results in disjointed and ineffective learning opportunities
for the students.
Outside of school Orotina lacks sufficient engaging
activities for youth, and the high rates of school dropout and teenage
pregnancy continue to rise each year. As
a result, JumpStart 2015, the first of its kind in Orotina, has everyone from
students, parents, teachers, and community members at large excited for this
new opportunity! We cannot wait to get
started working with students from three elementary schools and a 7th
grade English teacher from the local high school.
As a YD Peace Corps volunteer leading the English camp, Montana will bring able to bring great new perspectives:
