Volunteering in Nicaragua offers participants the challenge of a Spanish immersion program along with the opportunity to learn abou tday to day life in Granada. Language classes can be combined with any of the volunteer programs. ELI works with organizations devoted to fighting inequality and poverty in Nicaragua through education and empowerment.

Children and Youth Development

53% of Nicaragua's population is under the age of 18. Many children have very limited access to education. ELI works with local organizations that serve children of all ages. Programs include community centers providing meals, extra curricular activities, and vocational training to children aged three to seventeen; an orphanage for girls; and a pre-school serving one of the poorest neighborhoods in Granada.

Women's Programs

The Nicaraguan constitution is one of the most advanced in Latin America, guaranteeing women equal rights and pay, but women are still discriminated against on a daily basis. Volunteers can work with a women's group devoted to fighting discriminationand improving the economic prospects for women. Volunteers with this project will assist with workshops and trainings in the areas of reproductive health, contraception, vocational education, basic accounting, marketing, and hygiene practices. Other ongoing activities in the organization include counseling services, utility coooperatives, and adult literacy programs. Volunteers with this project must speak Spanish at a high intermediate to advanced level of proficiency. This project requires that volunteers commit to at least one full month working with the organization.

Agriculture and Eco-tourism

Volunteers are welcome to work at a cooperative with the goals of promoting fair trade in coffee and creating eco-tourism centers in order to benefit the local economy without massive environmental damage. Volunteers will assist with chores in the cooperative as well as help develop income generating activities to sustain the cooperative.