Volunteer in Nicaragua | Teach English, Animal Sanctuaries & More

Volunteering in Nicaragua can be extremely rewarding for both experienced and novice volunteers. This nation, where around 40 percent of inhabitants live below the poverty line, has a desperate need for assistance in community development, education, and other areas all year round. For travelers looking to offer their help on a voluntary basis, there is a wealth of volunteer projects available that can make a huge difference to communities and the environment.

From helping with childcare and development programs to putting your medical skills to the test on a medical internship, volunteering in Nicaragua has something to suit everybody.

Know Before You Go

Nicaragua is situated directly between Costa Rica and Honduras on the Central American isthmus. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west, while the eastern border sits beside the Caribbean Sea. The country’s population is estimated at 6.15 million people, 927,000 of whom live in the capital city of Managua. While the official language of most inhabitants is Spanish, other commonly spoken languages include English, Miskito, Sumo, and Rama.

Nicaragua is packed with beautiful attractions that have helped its tourism industry flourish in recent years. Tropical forests, sandy white beaches, and majestic colonial cities make Nicaragua one of the most stunning destinations for those looking for an adventure of a lifetime. Volunteering your time in such a vibrant and diverse country is an experience you will never forget.

When arriving in Nicaragua, your point of entry will be Managua airport. You may choose to volunteer here in the capital city, or you might set your sights on one of the historic cities set in deep in the heart of the Nicaraguan countryside, such as Leon or Granada.

Types of Volunteering Opportunities

Due to the poor living standards, economic and political unrest, and the inequality these situations cause, there are many opportunities for those looking to volunteer in Nicaragua. You can choose a project that helps you to grow the skills you already have, or jump into something completely different that teaches you new skills.

Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers has been placing volunteers in developing communities around the world since 2008. Their programs are highly trusted and rated, and come with transparent fees with no hidden costs to worry about. They are passionate about their programs and ensure that every single one is fully audited for social responsibility, safety, and impact.

Love Volunteers currently offers four volunteer programs in Nicaragua:

• Childcare and development
• Education support
• Medical internship
• Women’s empowerment

Applying for placement on a program is easy. Once your application has been submitted, Love Volunteers will review your application and get back to you within 48 hours. Once approved, you pay your program fee and wait to be contacted by the local team. You can find out more here.

Raleigh International

Raleigh International has over 30 years of expertise as a sustainable development organization. They work for and with young people to create positive change that lasts, and have a number of volunteer programs available. Over the years, they have attracted an impressive 42,000 previous international and local volunteers, and are passionate about creating a sustainable future through their programs.

All of Raleigh International’s projects are based in rural communities where sanitation and clean drinking water are of poor quality. When volunteering in Nicaragua under one of the organization’s programs, you will help these communities get access to cleaner water and living conditions, while also helping young people within these communities develop skills, knowledge, and attitudes that can make these improvements sustainable.

The organization has been running volunteer programs in Nicaragua for over a decade, building strong and meaningful relationships with communities and project partners. As a result, thousands of people have developed key skills that they can use throughout their lifetime to create a better future for their community. You can find out more about Raleigh International here.

A Broader View Volunteers

A Broader View Volunteers has been organizing volunteer trips since 2007 and offers programs in some of the poorest countries in the world, including Nicaragua. The organization currently has a number of volunteer opportunities running in both the capital city and the rural city of Granada. Some, such as midwifery support and education and teaching, will require the right skillset. However, others such as working at the Women’s’ Support Center in Managua often have places for unskilled volunteers looking to make a difference.

Volunteering in Nicaragua with A Broader View Volunteers can be a very rewarding experience. If you have never volunteered before, you will find plenty of support. You can also read in-depth reviews from some of their previous volunteers on their website.

Frontier

With over 25 years of experience in dedicated volunteer projects, Frontier knows a thing or two when it comes to volunteering in Nicaragua, amongst many other countries around the world. For those looking to make a fantastic adventure more meaningful, Frontier offers a wealth of expertise and programs for experienced and novice volunteers alike.

Frontier specializes in designing volunteering trips that take in a number of different regions in one trip. For example, their Central American Ethical Adventure Trail is a 10-week placement that starts in Mexico and which also takes place in Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Ready to Travel?

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