Nicaragua, the largest nation in Central America, has much to offer the traveler and the volunteer. The dictatorial rule of the Somoza Regime and the conflicts between the Sandinistas and the Contras have long past. A decade after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch, Nicaragua is a country that is rebuilding and opening its doors to the international community.

A visitor to Nicaragua has many options. There are the colonial cities Granada, León, and El Viejo, and the capital city, Managua. If your focus is Nicaragua’s natural landscapes and biodiversity, there are the beaches of San Juan del Sur and Playa Pie de Gigante, the volcanoes of Chinandega, islands on the coast and in the lakes (Big and Little Corn Islands and Ometepe Island, respectively), and the waterfalls in Maquina.

But while tourism is growing, a large percentage of the population still lives in poverty. According to the CIA factbook, “Nicaragua has widespread underemployment, one of the highest degrees of income inequality in the world, and the third lowest per capita income in the Western Hemisphere.”

Below are some organizations that take volunteers within Nicaragua’s boundaries, alongside the local community, to work against such inequalities.

Foundation for Sustainable Development

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) matches highly skilled volunteers with organizations that are in need of a particular volunteer’s expertise, thus ensuring, as they say, the “best opportunity for you to make a sustainable impact.” They require that a volunteer have at least 7 years of professional experience in the field in which they intend to volunteer. FSD works with more than 200 community-based organizations that are involved in micro-finance, health, the environment, youth and education, women’s empowerment, community development, and human rights.

Every volunteer takes part in a one-week in-country orientation with a group of 3-8 volunteers. Additional development training and workshops are available as well as medical evacuation insurance. Those who volunter for 9 weeks or more participate in a midterm retreat.

In addition to Nicaragua, FSD has projects in Argentina, Bolivia, India, Kenya, Nicaragua, and Uganda.

Cost and Suggested Stay: There are both long-term and short-term volunteer options. The long-term ProCorps Volunteers typically stay for 9+ weeks. Short-term Volunteers typically stay for 4-8 weeks. (The minimum stay is 4 weeks.) One week costs US$1,600, 4 weeks is US$2,625, and 9 weeks is US$3,740, so the cost per day decreases the longer you stay.

Accommodations: Initially, you will stay in a hostel with your orientation group, and you will then move on, individually, to a host family, in order to help with language immersion and to help build community. (It is possible to live independently if requested, though this is not recommended.)

For more information, visit their site at www.fsdinternational.org.

Bridges to Community

When asked what skills are required of a Bridges to Community volunteer, Mark Daley, of the Bridges to Community New York Office, responded: “Just a willingness to get dirty and work!” The organization works solely in Nicaragua, and most of the Bridges to Community projects are in construction, though there are some specialized trips in education and health care. All projects are directed by the needs of community members.

They run trips year-round, with a break in May and another from September-October.

Cost and Suggested Stay: The fee for a standard 9-day trip is US$1,175 per volunteer (not including airfare). The fee covers your costs on the trip, staff, and equipment.

Accommodations: Most volunteers stay in community buildings (churches, schools, community centers) on cots. All meals are provided.

For more information, their site is www.bridgestocommunity.org.

El Porvenir

El Porvenir means “the future” and its goal is to work toward a better future for Nicaragua. Small groups of 10 people or less work in a village setting, assisting Nicaraguan families in the construction of water, sanitation, or reforestation projects.

Cost and Suggested Stay: Work trips cost US$800 to US$1075. The fee does not include airfare to Nicaragua, but it does cover the cost of project materials, lodging, meals and transportation within Nicaragua, services of group coordinators and interpreters, a recreational weekend at the beach or mountains, and health/accident/baggage insurance. Trips typically last between 1-2 weeks. If you are 55 or older, you can also sign up for their Elderhostel Project. Details can be found at www.elderhostel.org.

Accommodations: Volunteers stay at a modest hotel, equipped with a bed, private bathroom with a shower stall, an overhead light, a sheet, and a towel. Temporary water and power shutoffs are common. Most hotels have emergency water reserves and will supply candles. Bring a good flashlight!

For more information go to www.elporvenir.org.

Natural Doctors International

Working to provide healthcare with natural medicine to under-served areas, the Natural Doctors International works in collaboration with Nicaragua’s Ministry of Health on the island of Ometepe. Volunteers (who must have a current naturopathic medical license) work in the 24-hour clinic, and NDI doctors treat patients of all ages while working collaboratively with the local doctors and nurses in the hospital. Volunteers can also get involved in health and community projects and can take a 10-day course, “Natural Medicine in Global Health,” taught by Nicaraguan doctors that runs throughout the year and costs US$1,300.

Cost and Suggested Stay: One year. (They also have internship options that can last 1 to 9 months, though preferences are give to those willing to stay 9+ months.) Interns pay US$200-500 plus their own expenses. Doctors who stay for a year are paid a stipend of US$300.

Accommodations: Volunteers live within the community.

For more information, www.ndimed.org