International Volunteer - Vida Volunteer

We are truly a family, a tribe. The Vida Tribe!

We began this adventure in 2008 to impact people’s lives in Central America through the power of volunteering.

Today we are an organization with a strong Service-Learning Program, knowing that it is not just about our volunteers, their learning process, or their experience, nor is it just about our patients and the community’s people. Today we are a bridge that connects students and volunteers worldwide with the most vulnerable communities, conditions, and challenges.

Our dream is to improve people’s health through Health Promotion, but today it is no longer just our dream; it is the dream of the entire Vida Tribe: More than 10,000 students and hundreds of local professionals assisting more than 200,000 patients and 100,000 animals.

This is for you...

Mission

To promote human and animal health by bringing together the efforts of students, communities and the local healthcare systems.

Vision

To become leaders in the human and animal Health Promotion Movement, through service learning experiences in Central America.

Marks of Distinction

Trajectory

Over the last decade, more than 10,000 students worldwide have joined forces with our team and Partner Communities. We have succeeded in assisting more than 150.000 community members and over 50.000 animals – all while embodying our motto: Live with purpose, learn through service.

Community Engagement

We partner up with every community that we service. In other words, we not only provide follow-up visits throughout the year, we also support local initiatives to address specific issues that affect our communities.

Recognition

Vida Volunteer has been awarded with a Top-Rated Non-Profit Award for 5 years in a row. Our students rate the in-country learning experience and program safety very high.

We have also earned a 2018 Gold Seal of Transparency on @GuideStarUSA! By adding information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, achievements, and progress indicators, we are highlighting the difference we help to make in the world.

Local Presence

Vida Volunteer has physical offices in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. We employ over 20 full-time local staff members and over 195 temporary local staff members year-round.

Vida has made me realize my passion for service. It sparked something huge for me and I cannot stop here.

-Madeline Lawrence University of Iowa 2019

"Volunteered with VIDA twice now during spring break, and I plan to go back again. Not only does this organization create such beautiful experiences with indulging in a new culture, but they inspire me again and again every trip."

-Rey Ellenz

Joining Vida has helped me discover my passion for not just becoming a doctor, but to inspire others to chase their dreams as well.

-Danica Pratta University of Pittsburgh 2019

About Us