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Youth Challenge International (YCI) is recruiting a team of eight volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds for an eight-week focused youth development project in Costa Rica from February 18 to April 16, 2010.

Volunteers must be either Canadian or American citizens, landed immigrants or permanent residents to participate.

This exciting opportunity will include a pre-project distance-learning program, followed by an intensive ten-week placement in Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, you will work with YCI’s partner, Reto Juvenil Internacional, to further the reach and relevance of their youth development program.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES:
• Support the Community Development Association in the construction of community infrastructure needed
• Mobilize young people and conduct basic literacy and ESL training for local youth
• Facilitate local youth involvement in program activities with a particular emphasis on leadership development and peer-to-peer education
• Mainstream gender equality into all program activities
• Respond to community defined needs by collaborating with local stakeholders to design and implement local development initiatives
• Promote Earth Charter principles and environmental education.

RECOMMENDED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in facilitation and community mobilization, preferably with youth
• Background in development, social science, engineering, physical education, teaching, nursing, health sciences or gender studies
• Training, experience or interest in business, youth programming, monitoring and evaluation, and/or international development
• Previous experience teaching English or literacy
• Experience leading workshops
• Experience working with at-risk, marginalized and/or indigenous populations
• Training in gender issues; proven effectiveness in cross-cultural settings
• Prior overseas experience an asset.

FUNDRAISING GOAL:
YCI’s volunteer participants are required to fundraise and/or contribute a minimum of $3,700 to contribute to YCI’s global youth development programs worldwide.

WHAT’S COVERED BY YCI:
• Preparatory support and pre-project distance learning
• In-country training
• Modest local accommodations and food
• In-country work-related travel
• Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance

WHAT’S NOT COVERED:
• Airfare and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Participants will be expected obtain the required vaccinations and take anti-malarials at their own expense

Please apply online using YCI's online application form available at http://www.yci.org/html/programs/overview/applynow.asp

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