I am proud to be part of an organization that is helping educate the young men and women of Nicaragua, and count it as a privilege to give my time to organizations like Fabretto.

 – Jeffrey T. Olszyk, Fabretto Volunteer and Child Sponsor

Volunteering with Fabretto in Nicaragua is a rewarding experience. We welcome individual volunteers and volunteer groups (up to 20 people) willing to learn about our work, and help serve the children and families in our programs.

Nicaragua volunteers fall into two categories:

• Individual Volunteer – 6 months to 2 years
• Groups – 1 to 2 weeks

Individual Volunteers

• Must submit a complete application (Nicaragua Application Form, Resume, and 2 to 3 references)
• Commit a minimum of 6 months of service.
  
• Possess at least an intermediate-level Spanish proficiency
• Candidates are responsible for their in-country expenses.One can live comfortably in Nicaragua on $300-$400 a month. Candidates should plan to save for their commitment period prior to arriving in Nicaragua.
• Fabretto assists individual volunteers with finding local housing options in the community where they are assigned to serve if Fabretto - owned housing is not available.

In general, Individual Volunteers will have skills in one the following areas: 

• Arts, Crafts & Music - instruction and performance
• Teaching - elementary or secondary level 
• English as a Second Language - instruction and curriculum development
• Applied Health – doctors or nurses 
• Public Health – studies and analysis, health services design
• Nutrition - meal and diet planning, bulk food purchasing and management 
• Entrepreneurship - micro-enterprise start up and management
• Natural Resources - land, water and energy management
• Engineering and Architecture - facilities planning and construction

Fabretto trains volunteers when necessary, and puts them to work at one of our children's centers. Training  involves an introduction to Fabretto programs and services, and rules and regulations. Each individual receives a description of his/her functions, and undergoes a formal training process that facilitates the fulfillment of his/her volunteer service. Individual volunteers generally work in the classroom environment, directly with children, but may also work in other capacities.

 Individual volunteers with special skills that tie directly to our programs, or with substantial experience in their professional field, will work with Fabretto project staff on training, program design, and development. Availability for placement is highly dependent on program needs at any one point in time.

Fabretto is actively seeking a Community Health Worker who will be responsible for developing and monitoring Fabretto’s health and nutrition program in Cusmapa, Nicaragua. Responsibilities include: helping coordinate nutrition studies in the area; managing special child health cases; analyzing the daily lunch menu in the center and surrounding communities; and communicating with Fabretto staff locally and in the United States. We are also interested in persons to staff our English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

Volunteer Groups

• Groups include mission trips, high school service trips, or any combination of friends, co-workers and families.
• Group size - 10 to 20 persons (minimum of 8 participants)
• A group leader should be designated as contact to coordinate logistics of trip/project with Fabretto staff
• Minimum age is 15 with an adult chaperone, and 21 without.
• Groups should plan to raise $300 per participant, which may or may not cover the full cost of a project (i.e. a 10 person group would donate between $2,500 - $3,000 towards the implementation of their special project).
• There is a daily fee of between $65 and $75 per person per day, which covers the costs of meals, housing, allowances, and in-country transportation.  
• Groups generally volunteer in Cusmapa and stay at Casa Loyola, a dorm house that accommodates up to 24 people.
• Meals are planned by Fabretto and served at the children’s centers at lunchtime, or at the volunteer house.
• Fabretto provides transportation from the airport to your assigned center.
  

Fabretto provides a guide for your stay, and he/she works with your group leader on trip logistics.  We expect groups to work with our volunteer team to identify and plan for the execution of a special project during their visit, and to have raised funds or resources to support the implementation prior to their arrival in Nicaragua. 

There is a wide range of volunteer work available based on the skills, abilities, and interests of the visitors, and of course, our program needs at the time of the visit. With so many children in our programs, we can use virtually any skill you are willing to share with us!

Volunteer groups will also have a chance to get to know the community, participate in local events, and visit local micro-enterprises, shops, and churches. But most importantly, Fabretto encourages groups to spend as much time with the children as possible. 

Please fill out the Nicaragua Application Form in order to begin the process of trip planning. Note: there is limited availability during spring break and summer months, if you can schedule a trip for off season times, there is a better chance that we can accommodate you.