Overview
Volunteer on Childcare Projects in Nicaragua

Volunteers joining this project live in Esteli, an old Sandinista stronghold 150km north of Managua in the Segovia Mountains, which is surrounded by beautiful valleys and waterfalls. Here volunteers travel to rural communities nearby for project work, where you can immediately immerse yourself in the local culture and learn the language. Volunteers joining this project will be working with children from nursery through initial primary school levels and will be typically working with children from the ages of 4 and upwards concentrating on basic education and literacy. This is an amazing opportunity to volunteer, live and explore this wonderful country in Central America.

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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.