Overview
Childcare volunteering Program in Nicaragua

This program provides volunteers with the unique opportunity to volunteer short-term with rural communities near Estelí, Nicaragua, in the midst of the beautiful Segovia Mountains. Surrounded by mountains, valleys and waterfalls, volunteers will live in this old Sandinista stronghold, learning or improve their Spanish, and traveling to nearby rural areas for their project work. GVI, along with leaders of the communities, have built and started a school in La Thompson and are funding and developing education programs and ‘aulas abiertas’ (open classes) to assist children who otherwise may not have the opportunity for any formal education or who need reinforcement.

Spanish lessons and several trips and activities are also available (for an additional cost), including a weekend trip to the Miraflor Natural Reserve and a day’s hike to the Salto de la Estanzuela Waterfall. You can also go horse-riding, attend lectures on local history and visit local museums and points of interest in Estelí.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, stories from the field, video diaries and more at the programs media centre

I am truly grateful to have been a small part of such a grand vision, and look forward to returning in the coming years.

Kristen Kenny, GVI Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

In rural Nicaragua, education and literacy levels are still depressingly low, despite having a ‘Year of Literacy’ in 1980 when the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional) government concentrated on tackling the country’s high levels of illiteracy. In the rural communities we aim to help around Estelí, the present day problems with education are due to economic constraints and a lack of teaching materials and teachers themselves. The large majority of families rely on agriculture, and with the country’s changeable climate and erratic harvests, poverty levels are extremely high. There is a huge need for help within these communities where the local understaffed schools are sometimes an hour’s walk from the children homes.

Highlights

Working in the heart of a Nicaraguan community; teaching children, living with a host family; learning Spanish (optional); and exploring the local region by enjoying hikes, horse treks and visits to nature reserves.

Location

Estelí, also known as ‘El Diamante de las Segovias’ (the Diamond of the Segovias) is situated 150km North of Managua, surrounded by mountains and valleys dotted with small agricultural communities in which the project work will be undertaken, all within 10-15 kms from Estelí.

Field Conditions

Living with local families in Estelí in comfortable but basic accommodation gives volunteer an enriched cultural experience and provides them with the valuable opportunity to practice their Spanish! All accommodation provided is private, has washing facilities and includes three meals a day; packed lunches will be provided when working in the communities.