Overview
Volunteer on a Children and Adult Education Program in Rural Nicaragua

This project provides volunteer with the unique opportunity to work short-term with rural communities near Estelí, Nicaragua, in the midst of the beautiful Segovia Mountains. Surrounded by mountains, valleys and waterfalls, volunteer will live in this old Sandinista stronghold, learning or improve their Spanish, and traveling to nearby rural areas for their project work. The project work involves assisting children and adults who otherwise may not have the opportunity of any formal education or who need educational reinforcement.

Spanish lessons and several trips and activities are also included in the program, 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, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer 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, 2007 Volunteer

What Difference Does This Project Make?

In rural Nicaragua, education and literacy levels are depressingly low still, despite having a ‘Year of Literacy’ in 1980 when the FSLN (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional) government concentrated on improving 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 or sifting through the Estelí garbage dump for survival, 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 and adults, 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.