Happy older volunteer

Before I am a retired engineer and I have worked in the oil exploration industry all around the world. Last year, I did 160 hour TEOFL course online wirh the TEOFL academy which was very good. I wanted to use these skills on a project which would really help people. And RCDP which is based in Nepal and places volunteers all around the world recomended Hibiscus in Costa Rica as being ideal for me. Hibiscus is based in Ciudad cortes in the south west of Costa Rica.

It is a private organization that is run by American born Lauren Markey who has lived here for many years and seems to know everyone. Hibiscus gives people the chance to spend time Costa Rica, work on a project that will really make a difference and have a great time. I am teaching evening classes to local people who want to improve their English. Some are still at school and some are older working in tourist related businesses. They are a lovely lot. And I’m enjoying teaching them. Lessons take place on an upstairs veranda at a hotel art gallery. I live in the volunteers house which is on the outskirts of the town. It’s a very secure safe place with electricity and wonderfully cold showers.

Buses run north along the coast to some magnificent beaches. And south to the busy little town of Palmar Norte which has lots of shops that sell everything.

Cortes is an old court and from here the river terriba winds down to the sea. No beach is there but magnificent areas of mangrove which you can visit with the help of local fisherman or tour boat operators who will show you brightly colored birds and other wild life.

We’ve also done a couple of 4x4 trips up into the nearby hills to see the waterfalls and swim in the pools beneath. It’s not the first time I’ve been a volunteer but it’s definitely the best. I’m having a great time.