Quinta Esperanza

  Nicaragua

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: ongoing

Description: Casa Mateo was started in 2003 in the home of Glenn and Lynne Schweitzer, pastors and missionaries from Maryland.

In June 2005, the Schweitzers took over Hotel Casa Grande and changed its name to Hotel Casa Mateo. It is now a non-profit ministry hotel established to fund Quinta Esperanza, a home for abandoned, abused and neglected children. Teams are our first priority at Casa Mateo.

Quinta Esperanza is still in its formative stage. We currently have one house and ten children but plan to build five more houses for a total of 50 children. We have a non-denominational church, Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, a small clinic, a preschool, accelerated primary (for children unable to attend public school), a vocational school (under construction) for the neighborhood and our youth.

We welcome volunteers in almost every category. Sponsors are needed for our children and to help us bring containers of donated food from the U.S.

Married couples are welcome particularly in positions such as houseparents, ministry.

Highlights: Gratification of helping deprived, impoverished and uneducated children and families. Fulfillment from seeing tears turn into joy and laughter, discouragement turn into hope, aimlessness turn into a life filled with purpose.

Qualifications: Conversational Spanish is helpful but not mandatory, good with children, training in any of the following is helpful: child psychology, dysfunctional families, nursing, social work.   Prior experience working in a children's home or primary or secondary school would be beneficial.

Age is not a factor for houseparents but must be in good health and able to handle the needs of potentially hurting children who need love.

Other areas: teaching, trade or vocational skills, auto repair, sewing, etc., school teacher, building construction, septic systems, wells.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $300 - $700 month

Salary / Pay: For long-term volunteers who become involved in teaching, e.g., auto repair, there is the possibility of being underwritten by a church in the U.S.

Experience Required: yes

Preferably in the area of interest.

Typical Volunteer: Must be compassionate, flexible, understanding, giving, responsible, honest, not condescending, dependable.

Age Range: 18 up

This Program is open to American, Canadian and European Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad

Casa Mateo's Mission Statement: Casa Mateo was started in 2003 in the home of Glenn and Lynne Schweitzer, pastors and missionaries from Maryland. In June 2005, the Schweitzers took over Hotel Casa Grande and changed its name to Hotel Casa Mateo since it was now a non-profit ministry hotel established to fund Quinta Esperanza, a home for abandoned, abused and neglected children. Quinta Esperanza is still in its formative stage but Iglesia Nuevo Amanecer, our church for the families who live near the landfill in Diriamba and our feeding program are well underway. As the hotel prospers so will our ministry. We have almost finished construction of our first children's home. We welcome volunteers in almost every category. Quinta Esperanza, or House of Hope, thanks you for your patronage. We hope that you enjoy the relaxing, wholesome ambience of Hotel Casa Mateo.

Year Founded: 2003

Casa Mateo is a Non-denomational Chrisitan based organization. We do require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.