The group flies into Managua, Nicaragua and meets their group leader at the airport. The indigenous Nahuatl people called Managua "Mana-ahuac", the city surrounded by water. We'll learn quickly how this city earned its name as we get our first glimpse of majestic Lake Managua. In nearby Granada, we'll get settled in our hostel and begin orientation and language activities. The spirit of the country provides the backdrop for us to bond as a group, learn some key Spanish phrases, and prepare for the community service adventure that lies ahead!
We head north to the highlands of Nicaragua - an area famous for coffee and chocolate production. Surrounded by protected natural reserves, Estelí is home to Nicaragua's emerging eco-tourism industry where we'll find ourselves enveloped in its natural wonder. Before our projects start we'll get settled in to our new surroundings and get to know the community. Here we’ll partner with the local people to assist in their efforts to build and renovate schools, plant family gardens, dig wells, and learn English.
We'll be face to face with Nicaraguans who are empowering themselves and their neighbors to sustainably address their own needs using the resources that they have available. It will be impossible to leave untouched by the energy and beauty of this location and the people that you meet.
From Estelí, we’ll head to Lake Nicaragua and the island of Ometepe. The island was formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua. Its name also comes from Nahuatl words: ome (two) and tepetl (mountain). The people of the island are stoic and lively, and will be sure to share their love of music, art, and life with us. Here we’ll partner with the local people to assist in their efforts to build and renovate schools, to plant family gardens, and to install clean cook stoves. We’ll be face-to-face with Nicaraguans who are empowering themselves and their neighbors to sustainably address their own needs using the resources that they have available to them. It will be impossible to leave un-touched by the energy and beauty of this location and the people that you meet.
With new perspectives and open hearts, we'll prepare for our trip to come to an end. Departing is sad, but the final trip back to our hostel in Granada allows us to share our memories before we fly home. We realize that the Nicaraguan friends we have made will always be with us.