Robina Kutosi

The principal goals of our work in Alajuelita include the following:

1. most crucially, to establish an effective system for the delivery of acute and preventative healthcare to members of this underserved Costa Rican community;
2. transition from a system of triage healthcare to one of continuous care by implementing biannual well-child visits for the entire community, all the while monitoring key indicators of overall health;
3. achieve a marked decrease in pediatric malnutrition and in the number of underweight children in the community;
4. curb the devastating spread of common endemic disease caused by preventable microbial infections; and
5. promote and sustain programs in health education, with particular focus on pediatric and maternal health initiatives

FIMRC strives to develop sustainable programs within the community. Project Alajuelita works with local soup kitchens, indigenous populations and groups formed by FIMRC on preventative health issues pertinent to the population. In collaboration with GHVP volunteers, medical students and health professionals, FIMRC realized many noteworthy achievements in 2009, including:

• Designed and implemented three plus months of waiting room based education on H1N1 prevention delivered to the clinic patients
• Planned and executed weekly health education sessions to local soup kitchen, discussing topics such as self-esteem, safety and healthy habits
• Provided needed medical care and health education trainings to indigenous communities

Planned and executed weekly health education trainings to the Women’s Group, discussing important issues such as reproductive health, hygiene, child care, nutrition and other topics

Yaz Agosti, M.D., Project Manager

Philadelphia, PA

Since 2009, Yaz has served as Program Manager for Project Alajuelita, assisting local staff in managing clinic operations. Yaz holds an MD from Drexel University College of Medicine, a master’s degree from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College.  While in medical school, she co-authored a textbook on pathophysiology, which sparked her commitment to medical education. Yaz continued her clinical training in Emergency Medicine before setting her sights on Pediatrics.  As she prepares for her residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in North Philadelphia, she is currently involved in research on pediatric trauma simulation training. Yaz is thrilled to combine her interests in international health, pediatrics and medical education to enhance and expand Project Alajuelita!

Reinhart Stedem, M.D., Clinic Physician

Alajuelita, Costa Rica

As Project Alajuelita’s physician, Reinhart oversees all clinic operations and attends to all patients who enter the clinic’s doors.  He brings vision and drive to Project Alajuelita in his daily work treating common diseases in the region’s youth population.  A Costa Rican native, Reinhart has worked as a general practitioner in several hospitals in Costa Rica prior to joining FIMRC’s team.  He holds a medical degree from Costa Rica’s Universidad de Iberoamerica and a Master’s in Palliative Care from the University Santa Paula.   

Dayan Alvarado, Health Education Coordinator

Alajuelita, Costa Rica

Since 2005, Dayan has been the primary coordinator of volunteer activities at FIMRC’s Alajuelita clinic and in the surrounding community.  He also manages FIMRC’s efforts to provide preventative health education programs to the area’s children and families.  Dayan has cultivated close partnerships with local community centers to expand the reach of FIMRC’s work.  Dayan is a lifelong Costa Rican currently residing in the city of San Pedro.  He is also a talented artist and has sold his oil paintings internationally.

Rita Zuniga, Homestay Coordinator

Alajuelita, Costa Rica

Since the inception of FIMRC’s Global Health Volunteer Program in Costa Rica, Rita has been responsible for arranging homestay accommodations for volunteers.  Over the years she has cultivated a network of host families much like an extended family.  As a mother of two, Rita brings a sense of warmth and caring to her position, viewing FIMRC volunteers as her own children during their time in Costa Rica.  Rita frequently opens her own home to volunteers. In addition to coordinating housing accommodations for all volunteers, Rita assists volunteers in planning recreational activities to maximize their free time in Costa Rica.

Tatiana Blanco, Clinic Psychologist

Alajuelita, Costa Rica

As the clinic’s staff psychologist, Tatiana provides a much-needed service, which is severely lacking in underserved communities like Alajuelita.  She possesses a wealth of experience in working with children from urban populations and specializes in breaking barriers through techniques such as art and play therapy.  In her free time, Tatiana enjoys teaching art classes and is a certified English/Spanish language instructor. 

Housing
Volunteers are housed through FIMRC’s Homestay Program. Since the inception of Project Alajuelita, we have cultivated a network of Costa Rican families living in the town of Santa Ana, a comfortable suburb located about 20 minutes from the capital city of San Jose and about 30 minutes from the clinic site. Homestays all have telephone access and are located within walking distance of internet cafes, making it possible to communicate with friends and family at home. FIMRC’s Homestay Coordinator screens all host families and ensures that volunteers are satisfied with their placements. Volunteers are asked to indicate all housing preferences, including meal requests and pet/food allergies in the enrollment forms. All houses are clean and comfortable with western-style toilets and showers.

Meals
Three meals per day are provided by the host families. Volunteers are welcome to dine elsewhere if they desire, but at their own expense.

Transportation
All transportation will be provided by a reputable hired driver with whom FIMRC has been working since the inception of Project Alajuelita’s volunteer program. Upon arrival at the San Jose airport, volunteers are met by FIMRC’s Transportation Coordinator, who greets all volunteers and provides van transportation to the homestay. Our Transportation Coordinator personally provides van transportation between the homestays and clinic site during each volunteering day.

The following costs are due per-person to FIMRC for participation in Project Alajuelita:

• Program donation: $699 per week
• Housing, meals, and transportation: $450 per week

The following are additional approximate costs:

• Flights: generally between $500-$700


• Spending money: $150 per week recommended.

Passport
US citizens can enter Costa Rica with a valid passport. Volunteers who do not hold a US passport must check with their respective embassies for information on travel eligibility. Volunteers are responsible for obtaining or renewing their passports.

Visa
US passport holders are not required to obtain a visa prior to travel. Non-US passport holders should check with their respective embassies for current visa requirements and regulations.
Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that they are legally eligible to travel abroad.

Vaccinations
We refer all volunteers to the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov/travel for the most up to date vaccination recommendations. Please note the different recommendations not only for the country you are visiting, but also for the region in which you will be staying.

Flights
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own flights and must fly in and out of San Jose Juan Santamaria Airport (code SJO). Please click here for further information on flights.

Insurance
Volunteers are responsible for possessing health insurance which covers emergency medical evacuation. Please click here for further information.

FIMRC Payments and Enrollment Forms
Once you work with our team to confirm your volunteering site and trip dates, you will be sent a welcome message via email which will contain instructions for enrollment, as well as deadlines for the submission of materials. If you have questions about this process, do not hesitate to contact missions@fimrc.org or 1-888-211-8575.