Almost all of these projects are run by Costa Rican non-profit organizations – who are in actual need of “man-power” and know-how. We particularly try to focus on conservation, sustainability, and development projects. For example we place volunteers on projects which focus on research and protection of endangered species, such as sea turtles and snakes.
Furthermore, we hope to improve sustainable development in communities of Costa Rica, by helping kids and adults to learn English (and other languages), and by helping out at organic farms and reforestation projects.
Founder and Manager of Green Life Volunteers in Costa Rica Janina Schan was originally born in Germany, and decided to move to Costa Rica to make a difference. She worked in Costa Rica in the tourism and volunteer industry, and then opened up her own volunteer company, Green Life Volunteers, in the beginning of 2011.
Her background is in Environmental Studies and Biology – she has a Masters in Environmental Studies from York University, Toronto, and a Bachelor of Science from Germany. In her Master research she focused on tropical ecology and conservation and studied for 6 months in Costa Rica. The idea of the volunteer company came much later, but she always had the desire to help out and make a difference.. especially regarding conservation and development projects.
She also loves animals, so she supports dog and cat rescue, and is trying to establish a new dog and cat rescue project in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula. Janina works also as a website developer – Green Life Volunteers is a passion project, and doesn’t generate a lot of income to survive.
