Volunteer in Granada, Nicaragua
Granada is a colorful city known for its rich colonial heritage seen in the architecture and for its location on the shores of the vast Lake Nicaragua, adjacent to the Mombacho volcano. Full of beautiful structures and a friendly local community, Granada has become a popular destination for international travelers interested in learning about local Latin culture and improving their Spanish language skills.
This Nicaraguan is a great city to volunteer for people who like working with youth, as there are many opportunities to volunteer in daycare centers as well as in primary and secondary schools. As the second poorest country in Latin America, Nicaragua also has a strong need for volunteers to help educate youth and empower women to help break the cycle of poverty.
Nicaragua is a developing nation with high rates of poverty, homelessness, and uneducated youth. Thus, volunteers are an important part of the development of the nation. In Granada, schools and childcare centers are always looking for educated international volunteers with varying levels of Spanish to work with students of all ages and assist the local teachers. There is also a need for volunteers at programs that focus on helping women overcome obstacles and gain skills and self-confidence.
Education
According to UNICEF, only 4 in 10 children in Nicaragua will make it past fifth grade in an organized classroom setting. Poverty rates are high and it's not uncommon to see children begging on the streets.
Volunteering at a school or educational program in Granada can help end the cycle of poverty and under-education in Nicaragua. Schools in Granada are in need of well-educated volunteers to teach subjects they most excel at, provide English lessons to students, introduce students to computers, and help other teachers plan their classes. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with children of all grade levels, up through the end of high school.
Childcare
Granada has many daycare centers that are understaffed and are always looking for volunteers. If you like working with young children, this is the perfect opportunity for you. As a developing nation with high rates of poverty, daycares are often low-cost for marginalized families, so parents can work and not have to worry about watching their young children throughout the day. The volunteer work at childcare centers can include planning educational games for children, teaching basic subjects to children such as colors, shapes, and numbers, and helping daycare staff prepare meals for children.
Women's Empowerment
Women's Empowerment organizations in Granada work to alleviate the inequality between men and women in Nicaragua. These programs offer leadership training, training on women's employment rights and how to advocate for themselves, and micro-credit programs to help women get small business loans.
Granada also has women's programs that work with young girls in providing psychological support and self-esteem strengthening. Volunteering with one of these programs is a way to help solve a long-standing societal inequity in Nicaragua.
Visas
Citizens of the US, Canada, and most European countries can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival in Nicaragua for $10 which is valid for up to 90 days. The visa can be renewed locally for an additional 90 days, after which you would need to leave the country and re-enter to start the visa process again. You can do this fairly easily by just going south to Costa Rica and then re-entering Nicaragua.
If you don't have an international cell phone plan, you can purchase a cell phone with a standard SIM card in Granada for around $25. Granada has a multitude of internet cafes from which you can make international calls at a low rate and use the wifi for only about $1 per hour. Overall, most volunteers from developed countries find Granada to be a very affordable city to live in.
Housing & Accommodation
Most volunteer programs in Granada place volunteers in home stays, which is a great way for foreigners to get immersed in local culture and practice their Spanish. Volunteer programs are sure to vet all host families, many of which are experienced in hosting internationals, and place volunteers in safe neighborhoods. Many homestays will include meals provided by the host family, which is a great time to experience the local cuisine and converse with your hosts. Some programs do offer the option of volunteer housing, in dorm-style private or double rooms.
