Volunteering in Costa Rica

by Moe Tamani

Some of the tropical mammals found here include sloths, monkeys, tapirs, and then wild cats like jaguars. There are over 850 species of birds, 200 species of animals, 35,000 species of insects, 200 species of reptiles, and 9,000 species of plants. 25% of the country landmass is considered as a protected area and there are several national parks like the Rara Avis Reserve, Whale Marine National Park, Santa Rosa National Park, and Corcovado national park among many others.

As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will get to become a part of their vibrant and unique culture, which will provide you with the base for fostering a meaningful working relationship with the local community. Costa Rica offers different types of volunteer projects but a larger number of programmes focus on conservation. You will also get an opportunity to be a part of their environment and take back home more than just a certificate of completion. Read more

Nothing But Nets Campaign

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets -- and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country -- that led to the creation the Nothing But Nets campaign.

The reaction to Reilly's 815 words made clear that thousands of people were ready to help the million children dying unnecessarily each year of malaria. Within a few short months, Nothing But Nets raised over 1 million dollars. And so Nothing But Nets was born.

The UN Foundation has now partnered with groups as diverse as National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, The People of the United Methodist Church and Sports Illustrated to bring Nothing But Nets to the American public. These Founding Partners are joined by corporate, multi-media and financial partners to make a significant impact by raising awareness and funds to purchase and distribute bed nets and save lives.

Now, we're asking you to help spread the word about Nothing But Nets, and how easy it is to protect children from malaria with bed nets. You can save a family. Your church, school, or team can save a village. Together, we can cover Africa with life-saving bed nets.

Click here to find out how you can get involved.

Paulo Coelho Institute

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho founded The PAULO COELHO Institute as a non-profit-making institution financed exclusively by the author's royalties. The main idea is not to be a charity, but to give opportunities to the underprivileged and ostracized members of Brazilian society. Thus, the Institute concentrates its funds on children and the elderly.

At present, the PAULO COELHO Institute provides financial support to Creche Escola Meninos da Luz, Lar Paulo de Tarso (in the Pavão-Pavãozinho favela, Rio de Janeiro), that looks after these 430 children. In 1996 we started with 80 children, and we could go up to this number, but it is not easy.

To make a donation, please visit their website or write to Isabella de Moraes at isabella@meninosdeluz.org.br.