This volunteer experience was very rewarding. We were involved in painting a local school and giving donations to those students. We visited a preschool and provided a warm lunch for the kids. As well, we set up a soup kitchen for locals in a poorer neighborhood. On top of the humanitarian work, we enjoyed learning about and visiting sites in Nicaragua. We went to a live volcano, the historic town of Granada, boat ride on a river with monkeys! We participated in a cooking class with local foods.

If you only volunteer once in a while please think of starfish Nicaragua next time! I travelled in a small team of mixed ages from early 20s to an 80 year old. The group was led by the amazing Suzy Campbell and her experienced local guides who are with you every step of the way. They ensure you feel welcomed, supported and useful no matter your physical ability or level of travel experience.

We went shopping with the sponsor students for their school supplies at a local open air market which means we had lots of friends quickly on the schoolyard! Our building goal was to make a concrete kitchen so the school could start a meal program. With Starfish organizing all the materials in advance we got straight to work and had so many local parents join us that we finished ahead of schedule. So we added a school garden and playground update to our list of projects! On our final afternoon at the school we had a huge piñata party before spending the last days of our trip at the beach.

At the end of every day you have the chance to unwind and get to know your fellow travelers, guides, and the culture of Nicaragua. We visited local restaurants, watched pottery demonstrations, held nature walks which included info on the plant and animal life and a visited volcano. Go on this trip because you get to create a more beautiful connected world.