Volunteer in Chontales, Nicaragua!

  Nicaragua

Chinandega

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Summer

Description: Volunteers will co-facilitate educational workshops for children ranging in age from 5 to 12 at schools or other community venues. Classes will focus on health and environmental education, though activities will also incorporate creative expression, team building, and group leadership. Sample class topics include personal hygiene, dental health, the disease cycle, deforestation, the importance of trash collection, and gardening. In many communities, Plan Nicaragua has organized the youth to work on social action projects like promoting child rights, organizing student governments, and implementing community campaigns. Volunteers will have the opportunity to collaborate on these projects and build communication skills with youth by working with different media such as radio, video and murals to express issues important to adolescents today.

Highlights:
* Language Immersion
* Host Family
* Work with Youth
* Cultural Understanding
* Diverse Organization

Qualifications: To serve as an Amigos Volunteer in Latin America, you must:

- Be at least 16 years old by September 1st of the year of volunteer service
- Have completed two years of high school level Spanish, or the equivalent
- Adhere to the Amigos' Standards of Conduct and Community Behavior
- Fulfill fundraising and training requirements
- Receive required immunizations

Cost in US$: 3,995

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Amigos volunteers enjoy experiencing other cultures, are motivated, take intitiative in starting projects, have studied Spanish, enjoy being around children and enjoy sharing about themselves to a host family. Amigos volunteers believe in collaborative community service.

Age Range: 16-25

This Program is open to American, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Nicaragua in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-4 per community

Scholarships are Available. - Applicant can apply for financial assistance through Amigos de las Americas. Amigos can also assist applicants to find other scholarships or grants. Amigos is committed to placing in the field program every potential volunteer who meets program requirements and displays proven interest and determination to participate. Amigos feels strongly that no potential volunteer should be prohibited from participating because of the participation cost. Amigos has many support networks in place, such as the fundraising activities and chapter and international office and financial aid programs, to assist you in your efforts. The International Office has also put together a fund raising booklet that contains suggestions that have been proven successful by veteran volunteers. This booklet is made available to those potential volunteers who submit a preliminary application. Amigos also views fund raising as an integral part of the training process. Fund raising is necessary not only to defray the cost of operating the field program, but also so volunteers may become comfortable with making presentations that explain Amigos and your reasons for participating. When you arrive in the host community in Latin America, it may be that only a few people know about Amigos. It will be necessary for you to promote Amigos and yourself before you begin to promote public health and community education. Those skills that are crucial to your success in the field can be learned and better developed through the fund raising process.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

Amigos de las Americas's Mission Statement: Amigos de la Americas (AMIGOS) builds partnerships to empower young leaders, advance community development and strengthen multicultural understanding in the Americas.

Year Founded: 1965