Description

Volunteers stay with local families, enjoy the surfing, beaches, and all other tourism activities of San Juan del Sur, and participate in projects including, rural construction, education, organic agriculture, healthcare, community issues, sports, recycling, and small business development. The focus of all the projects is always on long term sustainability in the context of the impacts on the economy, the environment, and the community. The community members are always involved as much as possible in the development, organization, and implementation of the projects. Therefore, the VolunTourists receive a profound cultural experience along with the satisfaction of a more meaningful vacation.

Highlights

The homestay is one of the most important and most satisfying components of the program. Not only are the VolunTourists able to directly interact with local residents, but they also enjoy Nicaraguan home cooking, and practice Spanish during their whole stay. The town of San Juan del Sur is a quaint fishing village with a rapidly developing tourism infrastructure. It is a great example of the benefits of tourism in a developing country, but without many of the detriments, such as lack of necessary infrastructure.

The projects can have an easily visible, measurable, and immediate impact on the community, which adds to the satisfaction from the work of the VolunTourists.

Qualifications

VolunTourism packages are catered to meet the specific needs and interests of the program participants. Some projects require more physical work, while others are less physically intensive. We encourage VolunTourists to bank on their individual talents in creating new projects or participating in existing ones.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD 200 + USD 45/week (placement and support). USD 110/week home stay, including 3 meals per day and laundry service. Cell phones provided free of charge to volunteers. Optional language instruction (USD 100/week). Discounts for stays longer than 2 months and when signing on a friend.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

See above in cost. Comunidad Connect can arrange a number of other services including: transportation, translation, travel information and advice, guided excursions, in-town tourism activities, surf lessons, Spanish lessons, etc.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Our typical volunteer is a college student with a global awareness and the desire to have a more meaningful vacation. She has an understanding of the importance of sustainability and the value of globalization in the sense of supporting the citizens of other nations. She is also outgoing and likes the cultural challenge of living in a place rather different from her home.

Age Range

16-99

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-10

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 day

Comunidad Connect's Mission Statement

Bring together investors, tourists, the local government, and local residents to foster sustainable development, leadership, and civic engagement through education and collaboration.

Year Founded

2007