Ave Nicaragüita /

Volunteer Nicaragua / Theme 4

On Choosing your Destination to Volunteer abroad in Nicaragua 
 

Volunteering allows you to be more than just a tourist; you get to immerse in a new culture and have the chance to help others while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime. Imagining you making a difference in other people’s lives is so much rewarding. You have the chance to help those who are really in need and become a member of their community even for a span of time.  You’ve got to experience life from another perspective. It is a catalyst for discovering yourself and the world and it might even help you figure out what you want to do with the next few years of your life. You’re guaranteed to find different people with same interest.  
You’re first step is to decide on what type of volunteer educational project you would like to join in. There are varieties of programs to choose from, some of them include:

• Short term volunteer programs which range from three weeks to three months. These are for volunteers who have limited time but still want to help in some way. You may be helping in building a school, teaching Spanish, or participate in health care and environmental preservation. It often includes some cultural sight-seeing and lecture events.

• Long term volunteer programs are also available which usually lasts from three months to a year. These are for volunteers who want a more in-depth experience and who have time and motivation to develop and complete a project. It often involves teaching, health care, environmental conservation etc. It may also comprise some cultural and skill training.

• Work Camps are one type designed for high school and college students but are open to old-aged volunteer as well. Activities are mostly physical, like constructing buildings, clearing and maintaining natural areas, and are usually prearranged for work groups, not individuals.

• Other programs include specific teaching programs, research and environmental programs, religious programs, and disaster relief.

Once you are decided on type of program you would like to be involved in, then it is the time to choose for the suitable place where to conduct your program. Volunteer programs are not only limited on your locale it can be out of the country. Volunteering abroad is not for everyone, so before you sign up for the Peace Corps or another similar you have to assess your sole purpose of doing it and if you can afford the travel and different customs and lifestyle of communities there. You might also have to learn a different language e.g. if you are visiting Central America, its better to learn Spanish beforehand. You can start with some basic Spanish lessons. Remember, such volunteer programs also give you chance to improve on your intercultural skills.

Here are some volunteer opportunities in Nicaragua, it’s up to you to choose your destination:

• Volunteer Granada programs:  Deaf education through teaching in computer classes in Leyte  , English teaching to elementary students in Leyte, Orphanage Assistance, Street Children Assistance Program,  Social Welfare Volunteer, Women’s Assistance and Health Care Assistance Volunteers.

• Volunteer Masaya programs: Orphanage Assistance, Environmental Conservation, Teaching Children in Elementary Level

• Volunteer Juigalpa programs: Deaf Education through sign language

• Volunteer Esteli programs: Teaching Children, Orphanage Assistance, Community Development, Health Care and Health Education, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation.

• Volunteer Ocotal programs: Great Wall of China Restoration Project, Panda Conservation

• Volunteer Leon Nicaragua: Orphanage Assistance, Health Care Programs and Teaching Programs, Indigenous Women Assistance Program

• Volunteer Matagalpa programs: Orphanage Assistance, Environmental and wildlife Conservation, Teaching Children

• Volunteer Rivas programs: Adult Literacy Program, Health, Children & Women Empowerment, Crafts, Artisan

• Volunteer Managua Programs: Orphanage Assistance, Environmental and wildlife Conservation, Teaching Children, Street Children Assistance Program, Special Education Classes, Community Development, Deaf Education

• Volunteer Ometepe: Orphanage Assistance, Environmental Conservation, Teaching Children

• Volunteer San Juan del Sur : Volunteer Camp, Health care Volunteer, Orphanage Assistance, Environmental and wildlife Conservation, Teaching Children.

Choosing destination for your volunteer program in Nicaragua will depend on your preference and the type of program you chose. But the essence there is wherever you go, your purpose and action is what matters most.