The fishing village of Las Penitas, Nicaragua is a study in contrasts. Smiling children laugh and play during the day and lay their heads to rest in flimsy, unsafe shacks at night. Fishermen and workers struggle mightily to feed and house their families, yet offer you food and even the shirts off their backs. It's a place you'll want to work, bringing more joy to those who laugh and smile easily. And you'll love helping hard-working people who not only help themselves but are just as eager to help others.

Click the Request More Information button below to express your interest, or Propose a trip of your own to Nicaragua now! 

Upcoming Trips

Click on the leader's name to learn more about the leader and trip details. Click Join to apply for their trip. Have a spot reserved on a "Full" trip? Complete your registration here. Or learn about sending funds to support local labor by joining as a virtual participant.

City	Team Leaders	Dates of Trip	Cost	Status

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What will a trip to Nicaragua be like?

Each trip to Nicaragua will be with a group of mission-minded volunteers - typically 8-20 total - who want to experience the world, meet new people, and make a difference. No skills required.

Trips last 1-2 weeks and include sightseeing in this Central American nation of mountains and beautiful Pacific coastal beaches.


Project and Country Background

Nicaragua is the largest country on the Central American isthmus. Because of its wide-ranging ecosystems, it's considered a biodiversity hotspot and a popular destination for eco-tourists.

Many families live in slums or wooden shacks. There is a government program called Habitar (not to be confused with Habitat) that helps Nicaraguan families move into decent housing, but families must earn at least $200 a month to qualify, and too few do. We're going to bridge that gap.

The community of Las Peñitas, located just outside of Leon, invited the first Fuller Center Covenant Partner in Nicaragua to begin work in their community to address the enormous housing need. They have similarly reached out to other organizations to help meet other community needs such as schools and clean water.

We are just getting started in Nicaragua, but we'd like to jump-start the success. We are in need of donations great and small (give for Nicaragua here) and volunteers!

Typical Day

8 a.m. - Breakfast
9 a.m. - Begin building at work site
12 p.m. - Lunch
1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Continue building
4 p.m. - Evening free for dinner and relaxation

(Exact schedules can be discussed and set depending on the team's preferences.)

Type of work

We are building both new homes and making repairs to existing homes. New homes will be built with concrete blocks and will typically be 300-400 square feet. To start off with we will be working on building 2 new homes and completing 8 repairs. Repairs can include - replacing a roof, repairing walls, helping a family have a solid door, etc.

Work will typically involve helping the masons and carpenters. At times there will be painting, and any other work related to a particular build.

We will provide necessary tools, but as with most build sites, it never hurts to bring a few small hand tools with you.

Food and Lodging

Volunteers will stay in dormitories in Playa Roca Hotel, which is located on the long, beautiful Poneloya Beach near Las Peñitas.  Volunteers can enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach, playing a game of pool, or a relaxing evening watching the sunset in one of our many comfortable hammocks.

The hotel has electricity, running water, bathroom facilities, fans, wi-fi, a pool table, satellite TV, and a ocean front full-service bar/restuarant. 

Best of all, Playa Roca has a website here! 

Toiletries, bedding, towels and blankets are provided.


Transportation

A small bus will be rented to transport the group throughout each day. The distance from the hotel to each worksite will vary, but on average it is about 20 minutes.

Rest, Relaxation, and Siteseeing

Nicaragua is a beautiful, warm country with much to do. We expect each group to spend at least a day seeing the sites - or more if the group desires.

Costs

Most seven day trips will cost between $750-900. Two-week trips will cost more, ranging between $1,100 and $1,300. More precise budgets are custom and are developed for each trip.

The trip fee includes food, lodging, all in-country transportation, emergency medical and evacuation insurance, and a donation to the project.

Next Steps

As trips with openings become available, we post them at the top of this page. To apply to join their trip, simply click "Join" next to the trip of your choice. To request more information or be put in touch with the team leader, click the "Request more information" button at the top.

If you're an experienced traveler or team leader, or if you have a group of your own (church, school, etc.), Propose a Trip to let us know what you might like to do!


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