Comunidad Connect VolunTourism

  Nicaragua

San Juan del Sur

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: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year

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.

Cost in US$: USD 175 + USD 40/week (placement and support donation). 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.

Experience Required: no

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

Participants Travel to Nicaragua Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-10

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

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