Elementary School in Granada

Volunteer at a Rural Elementary School in Granada

4 weeks from $1145USD

Located on the outskirts of the beautiful colonial town of Granada, Nicaragua, this opportunity gives the volunteer a chance to work with children one on one, not only in the school, but within its community as a whole.Juan Diego Feb 2009 003

The project started in 2002 with its main focus on education at a very basic level. There are currently seven rural schools associated with this project; all are on the outskirts of Granada. Volunteers live in the town of Granada and travel out to the schools each day by bus, bicycle or on foot. Work in the schools is done with the approval of the local government department of education. The communities welcome the organization’s involvement and assistance.

IMG_7663As a volunteer you will assist in a kindergarten class, tutor children in the early grades with their reading, writing or math, and teach classes such as; sports or arts & crafts as a group. The children in the lower grades all go to school in the mornings, children in the higher grades vary from school to school. In addition to these school hours, volunteers will spend two hours or so most afternoons tutoring children in their homes in the community, playing and coaching children’s team sports, taking children from ‘your’ school to the doctor or dentist office, etc. Each school we work with has a group of volunteers; you would work in that one community for the duration of your stay.

project2009There are also volunteers who teach English in the schools with children from grades 3 to 6. The English team will usually work in several schools during the course of a week. The hours vary, and include lesson planning as well as face-to-face teaching with the children. There are three groups teaching English, each consisting of 2 or 3 volunteers.

Project Details

  • Project Duration: Min 2 months – Long Term
  • Project Costs: $1145USD for first 4 weeks, $150 per week after.
  • Project Location: Granada, Nicaragua; all schools are located on the outskirts of town.
  • Arrival Airport: Managua, Nicaragua (MGA)
  • Airport/Bus Pickup & Drop-off: Upon arrival at the airport volunteers will take a bus to Granada (approx 1.5hours). At this time, there is no terminal in town. Buses simply drop off in front of their office. If arriving via Honduras or Costa Rica, arrival times can vary by several hours depending on border crossing time. We do our best to coordinate and have someone there to meet volunteers as they arrive or shortly after.
  • Activities: Assist and teach kindergarten through Grade 6 in one of seven schools.
  • Working Hours: Monday to Friday up to 8 hours a day, all other time is free with the exception of a Tues night volunteer meeting.
  • Getting to the Project: From Granada, all projects are reached by bus, bicycle, or on foot.
  • Requirements: Minimum Age 18

What’s Included

  • Accommodation: Each volunteer has the option of staying in the volunteer house, local home-stay or a local apartment. We ask that volunteers do not stay in the villages that they work in.
  • Training: Pre-departure “Introductory Package” will be mailed and in-country orientation is conducted in several parts presented by several people whom work with the project.
  • Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, phone/Skype with one of our trained AAV staff and 24 hour emergency support.
  • Insurance: All AAV volunteers will receive “Basic” Travel & Medical insurance included in their package.
  • Bonus: “Welcome Package” with local tips and coupons to help you get settled quickly and enhance the duration of your stay!
  • Ask about adding Spanish Language Classes to your trip!

What’s NOT Included

  • Airfare: However, we would be more than happy to help you find and schedule your flight.

* The above pricing is variable, depending on the accommodation option selected.