Esteli, where volunteers will be based, is located 150km north of the capital Managua in the Segovia Mountains. Working alongside community leaders, GVI have built and started a school in La Thompson and are funding and developing education programs and ‘aulas abiertas’ (open classes) to assist children and adults who otherwise may not have the opportunity for any formal education or who need reinforcement. By assisting on these long-term placements volunteers provide continuity at the schools which greatly aids the students' development.

Every 3 months volunteers will have 2 weeks holiday to relax or travel around Nicaragua and other countries in Central America. Additional opportunities are available through GVI to help you make the most of your time on the program; such as horseback riding, hikes and a visit to Miraflor Natural Reserve. 40 hours of one-on-one Spanish classes are also available and are a great way to kick start your program.

How this program makes a difference:

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:

• Work in the heart of a Nicaraguan community
• Teach children and adults
• Learn Spanish (optional)
• Explore the local region by enjoying hikes, horse treks and visits to nature reserves