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Location
  • Nicaragua
Project Types
Agriculture Community Development Building Projects Service Learning Conservation Environmental Conservation Reforestation Wildlife Conservation

Program Details

Language
English
Housing
Host Family

Pricing

Price Details
One-Time Application Fee of $495, and price per night depending on length of stay:
> 1 week: $22/night
1 – 2 weeks: $20/night
2 – 4 weeks: $18/night
1 month: $440

Fees include three meals a day, seven days a week for all volunteers, (except dinner on Saturdays when the kitchen is closed and volunteers go out to eat out in the local community).
The salary of the Nicaraguan workers with whom you interact daily.
The cost of maintenance of the program e.g. new beds, plates, cups, utensils, building upkeep, solar energy system maintenance, etc.
Projects led by the interns.
May 12, 2017
Oct 22, 2015
Wish List
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

Unearth the World (UTW) has partnered with an educational organic farm that uses permaculture design and agroforestry to support the rural economy and environment on the Isle of Ometepe in Nicaragua.

The project’s goal is to promote food security locally and regionally. The farm’s robust volunteer program offers travelers experience-based learning that ties living in an ecologically and socially sound way with working alongside communities. Volunteers carry out a variety of tasks on the farm according to current needs.

The type of work depends on the season and the particular needs of the farm, but may consist of planting trees, harvesting fruit/vegetables, working on the garden or in the nursery, building terraces, digging swales, weeding, animal husbandry, organic fertilizing and pest control, building raised beds or watering plants and natural building projects. Longer-term volunteers can get involved in the ongoing advancement of larger projects.

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Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.5
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Nate
27
Male
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bona Fide Fun

Oct 22, 2015

My family and I had a fantastic experience at Project Bona Fide. The Sabrina and Mitch made us feel very welcome from the moment we arrived on Omotepe. Our time on the farm was very laid back and fun yet extremely informative at the same time. We got to travel to nearly all local attractions while still spending enough time on the farm and the surrounding area to get a good sense of the Project's goals and its profound effects on the local community. I would recommend this program to anyone.

64 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Ellie
30
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volcano hike

Oct 22, 2015

I have never been more physically challenged in my life, but 8 hours later I did it! Mitch might tell you it's a "stroll." DO NOT BELIEVE HIM, but do it. Just know what you're getting into.

The volcano is split into three forests. "The Dry Forest" is the first section. It is so hot and humid but you're still having fun. It's an easy slope up. "The Wet Forest" is the second part. Things are getting pretty muddy, but it's cooled down a lot from the dry forest and you're pretty excited because the views are amazing. "The Cloud Forest" is the third and final part. Things are so muddy you can't even see your shoes from the surrounding mud. You're falling over everything and basically rock climbing up a volcano.

Best experience ever.

64 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Melissa Kirschner

Program
Permaculture Farm Promoting Food Security in Nicaragua
Job Title
Director of Volunteer Travel
As Director of Volunteer Travel with Unearth the World, Melissa loves working with individuals and groups to plan meaningful cross-cultural, international, exchanges.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

This is a tough question! Some of my favorite memories come from different travel adventures. If I had to pick one, though, I would have to say the time spent with my homestay family in Nicaragua, while visiting Unearth the World's Sustainable Tourism partner there.

They were such a warm and welcoming family! I loved sharing meals with them, watching TV in the evenings, and practicing my Spanish - they were very patient! I felt like I learned so much about the culture and local community through their generosity, and willingness to open their home to a stranger.

If you ever have the opportunity to participate in a homestay while traveling abroad, I would highly recommend it!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

One thing I love most about my job is that I am constantly learning! I would say that I have definitely become a more informed global citizen through my role with Unearth the World.

Everyday I get to interact with members of different international communities that are working to address pressing and important issues where they live.

This has really opened my eyes. On top of that, I get to speak with volunteers who have just returned from service work abroad. I get to hear about their time volunteering, and learn from their experiences as well.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think there are a few things that really make Unearth the World (UTW) unique. The first is that we absolutely take a holistic approach to each individual volunteer.

I personally speak with each volunteer who is interested in participating in an UTW program to make sure it is the best fit for him or her, and a good fit for our international partner. On top of that, we provide an in-depth pre-trip training so that all of our volunteers are prepared for their time abroad.

Secondly, Unearth the World is 100% financially transparent. We feel it's so important that our volunteers know where every dollar goes! And lastly, we only form responsible, mutually beneficial partnerships with projects that are initiated and organized by members of the local community, not by outsiders.

We carefully vet each partnership, and routinely visit our partners to ensure that the relationship continues to be responsible and reciprocal.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I really think it is personalization. At Unearth the World we work so hard to make sure that each individual has the best international service experience possible.

We understand that each traveler has different needs and interests, and strive to ensure that they are matched to the best project. We are always happy to go the extra mile!

Location

Location:
Nicaragua
Currency:
Nicaraguan Córdoba
Weather:
Jan-Mar
93 F / 70 F
Apr-Jun
95 F / 73 F
Jul-Sep
88 F / 72 F
Oct-Dec
88 F / 70 F
Airports:
Augusto C. Sandino International
( MGA )

Nicaragua is a less touristed destination than some of its neighbors like costa rica, Belize, and Guatemala. Because of this, it is a relatively untarnished country with plenty of surfing spots, volcanoes, and divers paradises. Nicaragua is abundant in natural beauty and everything here comes with a smaller price-tag than other Latin American countries.

About Unearth the World

Unearth the World is a social enterprise devoted to planning meaningful and transformative international exchange opportunities for students, professionals, groups, and families. We prioritize social impact, financial transparency, & volunteer education. Projects (from 1 week to 12 months in length) are currently available in Nicaragua, Peru...

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