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Volunteer Placement with Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa La Reserva

Venecia Primary School

Panama Primary School

Ruben Dario Primary School

Children with Disabilities of San Juan de la Concepcion

Cultural Center

Manos Virtuosas Woman Cooperative Bakery

Organic Garden

La Soya Community Center

Health Clinic

Work with rescued wildlife and domestic animals

Cañada Honda Reforestation and Eco-tourism

Teaching English and Independent Projects

La ReservaLa Mariposa bought La Reserva in 2013. Since then, Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa have been working hard to utilize the five acres to encourage reforestation and permaculture practices. Volunteers interested in working at La Reserva will assist in the nursery, general care of the reserve and organic gardening. Some of the saplings grown here are Moringa, Olive, Cedar and Mahogany. Once a month, families from the poorest neighborhoods are invited to La Reserva to receive two or three of these trees

mariposaspanishschool.com * [email protected] * +50525282006

https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455along with a Coci-Nica eco-cooker, an alternative cooking equipment that uses less fuel wood.

Volunteers can work in our vegetable gardens which consists of a dozen raised beds used to grow organic produce such as green beans, lettuce, and eggplant. The fresh produce grown here is used at La Mariposa or is sent as part of food packages provided to local families in need. There are also medicinal plant and butterfly gardens and opportunities to help our staff build features that attract wildlife (i.e. bat houses or bee hives). If you would like spending your days outdoors and want to do something that has a positive impact on the environment, this placement is for you.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am-11.30am or 2pm-5pmSpanish level: Beginner

How to get there: Turn right on the main road outside La Mariposa and walk down the hill, until you reach the end of the baseball field and take the first right, follow this road (including the bend) until you come to La Reserva on your left-hand-side. The whole walk shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

Venecia Primary School


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455For the past two years La Mariposa has been assisting the sole teacher and his twelve pupils at Venecia primary school. The children live in the second poorest neighborhood in the municipality where the school receives little to no support from the government. The school was partially constructed and then abandoned. The government provides no building maintenance or even basic educational supplies for the children like books. The teacher travels 13.5 kilometers every day to school to teach a group of children between four

and twelve years old with little to no resources.

La Mariposa continues to donate clothes, shoes and book bags to the children at Venecia. They also paid for the renovation of the classrooms and construction of a latrine on site. More recently, a donation from Asociación Tierra book bags and school supplies. Thanks to the remaining generous donation of $1000 we painted the walls in the classroom to brighten it up and

make it a more appealing educational environment for children.

Venecia primary school still needs a lot of support, especially with next year’s text books, clothes and general school supplies. The teacher and his pupils are dependent


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455on the generosity of volunteer donations. Even the smallest amount of assistance would be greatly appreciated as we continue to provide these children with the essentials any child needs to gain a decent education.

Currently, we are not placing volunteers at this project site, however donations and sponsorship are welcomed. We need help with paying the teacher’s salary, school supplies, maintenance tasks and uniforms. The approximate cost is $1,000 to $2,000.

Panama Primary SchoolPanama is located in the one of the poorest areas in the municipality. Panama primary school serves 260 children from pre-school to sixth grade. The community’s main source for economic income comes from the sale of pineapple and dragon fruit at the market in Managua. The school was essentially abandoned by various local and regional authorities.

Since becoming the school’s primary donor seven years ago, La Mariposa has constructed a latrine on site, a pantry for

the school cafeteria, playground and library as well as installed drainpipes, roof repairs, retaining wall, door and window and locks. Donations of both books and money have helped equip the library with a range of reading and research material to help the children with their learning. The children and teachers at the school have also greatly benefited from the generous donations of notebooks, stationary and school supplies given by La Mariposa students. Asociación Tierra now pays the salaries of a security guard to take care of the school at night as well as a librarian to help tutor children that are falling behind in school. Children in Panama now have access to the library, research materials, and one to one attention during the school year and holidays.

Volunteers will assist the teacher in the classroom. Likewise volunteers tutor smaller groups of children in the library with practicing reading/writing. If working with children sounds like fun this would be a great voluntary experience for you.



Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am - 11.30 amSpanish level: Intermediate

How to get there: Take a microbus towards Managua. The cost is 5 Cordoba. Tell the driver to drop you off at Tempisque. Once you get off the microbus, you can take a mototaxi or walk for 20 minutes up the hill to Panama. The whole journey takes about 30 minutes. Ruben Dario Primary SchoolRuben Dario primary school serves students from the barrios Los Encuentros and Los Mercados. La Mariposa got involved with the school six years ago – with the aim to create a library project similar to the one set up in Panama school. The idea here is that the librarian takes the children out of the mainstream classes to help them with their reading and gives them some extra attention with their studies.

La Mariposa and its students donated funds to help finish the construction of the library and supply it with books, tables, chairs and bookshelves. We also received a separate donation for the school which allowed us to build a retaining wall to prevent erosion in the school playground. The library is open every day during the school year and holidays which means that the children have unlimited use to the library.

They can borrow books to take home or read them in the library and classrooms. The benefits of this project are evident – the school has achieved a status of academic excellence in the municipality. It is recognized as having the best student at primary school level and children from Rubén Darío came second place in the municipality for reading.


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455Volunteers can help out in the classroom or work with smaller groups in the library. You can help by reading to children or by helping with homework. There is still a great need in the school for more books and school supplies not only for the children but also resources for the teachers to help them improve their lessons and engage the children. This school also has an organic garden which needs help with weeding, watering and planting. If you enjoy reading and working with kids, this would be a fantastic volunteering experience for you.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am-11:30amSpanish level: Intermediate

How to get there: Take a microbus towards Managua. The cost is 5 Cordoba. Tell the driver to drop you off at Ruben Dario. The whole journey takes about 20 minutes. Children with Disabilies of San Juan de la Concepcion

La Mariposa began to work with Los Pipitos in San Juan in December 2013. Los Pipitos is a national organization that works with families and children with disabilities by providing them with activities that improves the child’s motor and emotional capacities with arts and crafts, games and sports. La Mariposa began working with children and their families when Los Pipitos Center was

robbed of nearly everything; all that was left were chairs, a table and a blackboard. To date, La Mariposa has built a special therapy room and renovated classrooms. Thanks partly to donations from PeaceWorks, we have installed door and window frames, connected electricity, built a latrine, installed a water tank and painted the walls. Equipment such as books, games and material for crafts comes via donations; and we have also been able to purchase physical therapy equipment such as Universal Cage


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455for Physical Improvement, massage table, a ball pit, balance balls and swimming floaties. Asociación Tierra pays the salaries of 2 special education teachers, a physical therapist, night security guard and driver as well as donating weekly food packages, medicine and essential surgery for individual disabled children. Los Pipitos is very dependent on the generosity of La Mariposa students who have very kindly in the past donated books, pens, paper, Legos, lacing materials, games and sports equipment/balls.

Before La Mariposa’s involvement, Los Pipitos was mostly focused on special education for children with disabilities, however in 2014 La Mariposa initiated physiotherapy to assist with the children’s physical development. In September 2015 we expanded the range of activities available to the children and families at Los Pipitos by launching weekly hydrotherapy sessions. These have been a huge success and for many children at Los Pipitos as it was their first time in a swimming pool. Hydrotherapy can be particularly helpful for individuals with joint, muscle and nerve problems. It works by taking the weight off painful joints whilst providing resistance; the water sooths and calms and can increase blood flow. Thanks to the generous contributions from La Mariposa the sessions have been a huge success. Other regular activities available to Los Pipitos children are weekly equine-assisted therapy sessions. These sessions allow attendees of Los Pipitos to ride a horse with assistance or ride in the horse and cart with members of their families. These sessions help the children with trust, empowerment and balance abilities.


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455As a volunteer at Los Pipitos you would be assisting the teacher by playing with the children, doing arts and crafts and organizing games and activities appropriate to their varying levels of capabilities. You do not need to possess previous experience in this field; however OT’s, PT’s and speech therapists would be very welcome.

Working days and hours: Monday to Friday Monday 2p-5p: equine-assisted therapy at El Piscacho Study Center Wednesday 2p-5p: hydrotherapy at the local swimming pool All other days’ 8a-11:30a or 2p-5p: Los Pipitos activities take place in the Los Pipitos Center which is located behind the baseball bleachers in San Juan.

How to get there:Equine therapy: Catch a bus from the main road outside La Mariposa up the hill and ask to get off at el retén you will see a big sign saying El Piscacho Group Study Center on your right – walk up this road towards El Piscacho Group Study Center which is located on your right. The walk will take about 15-20 minutes. Alternately if you do not want to walk, you can take the bus to la farmacia and catch a mototaxi from the other side of the road to la soya, cerca al piscacho. Hydrotherapy: Turn right on the main road out of La Mariposa and take your first left down the paved street. Keep straight for about 5 blocks. The walk will take about 10 minutes. La Piscina de San Juan is located on the left. Los Pipitos Center: Turn right on the main road out of La Mariposa and walk approximately 2 minutes to the baseball field. Make a left onto the field and walk towards the bleachers. Los Pipitos Center is located behind the bleachers through the green gate.

Spanish level: Beginner

Cultural CenterSince 2013, the Cultural Center has been based in Karen’s home. The center has one teacher and two


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455assistants to teach children how to paint, make piñatas, sew, crochet and make lots more kinds of arts and crafts. Other activities include picking up trash near the center, reforesting in the surround neighborhood or playing sports at the local baseball field. The aim of the Cultural Center is to teach children a new skill that can help them in life later on. Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa students donate materials needed to run this project.

Volunteers assist the teacher with up to twenty-five children in a variety of activities. Anybody who enjoys arts and crafts and working with children would be well suited for this voluntary placement.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am to 11:30am or 2pm to 5pm


How to get there: You need to take a microbus from the main road outside La Mariposa going up the hill and tell the driver you want to get out at la farmacia in La Concha (5 Cordobas). From here you will need to cross the main road and take a mototaxi (7 Cordobas) to cruz de mayo después de la iglesia evengelica. To get back to La Mariposa you will need to walk back towards the center of La Concha (you can catch a mototaxi for 7 Cordobas on the way if you see one) and then catch a microbus (5 Cordobas) down the hill to La Mariposa.

Manos Virtuosas Women Cooperative Bakery A few years ago La Mariposa partnered with a group of entrepreneurial women from San Ignacio to help open a bakery. The women came from single income households and wanted to open a bakery close to home with the goal of selling high quality desserts and breads. Initially World Vision donated an oven and the relevant equipment needed to bake bread. However, the equipment alone was not


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455enough to run a bakery; the women needed a loan to set up their bakery. La Mariposa stepped in to help the women refurbish the building by donating $12,000 for a new ceiling, foundation, and beams. La Mariposa continues to support the bakery by selling a selection of their traditional Nicaraguan desserts during Thursday lunch hour. All proceeds from the baked goods are equally distributed between the women and their families. This has allowed the women to keep their children in school, send them to University and in general improve their prospects for the future.

La Mariposa, with the help of many generous donors, has built a bakery for the Manos Virtuosas Bakery Cooperative. Future donations will be used to improve the physical conditions of the bakery as well as purchase more equipment to make a range of delicious goodies.

If you have an interest in baking, want to learn how to make a range of delicious Nicaraguan treats and like the idea of spending the mornings practicing your spoken Spanish, then this placement is for you.

Working days: Tuesday to Saturday Working hours: 8am-11:30am

Spanish level: Intermediate

How to get there:Take any bus downhill towards Managua and ask to get off at el tempisque (5 Cordobas). When you get off the bus cross the street and walk back about 150 meters from the way you came. You will come across a big sign that says Panadería: Otro Proyecto de La Mariposa. To get back you just need to catch a microbus in the opposite direction to La Mariposa this will cost the same amount (5 Cordobas).

Organic GardenBeginning in 2011 La Mariposa tilled their first beds using traditional methods derived from permaculture principles. Thanks to seed donations from La Mariposa students, we are able to plant and harvest a variety of organic vegetable for the lunch. We encourage helpful insects and other wildlife by planting flowers and “weeds”. We plant on contour and use integrated pest management systems.



Volunteer help with weeding, watering, composting, transplanting and building beds. This placement would be perfect for a volunteer with an interest in plants or organic gardening and a love of the outdoors/ isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty.

Working days: Monday to FridayWorking hours: 8am-11:30amSpanish level: Beginner

How to get there:Catch a microbus from the main road outside La Mariposa up the hill and ask to get off at el retén. You will see a big sign saying El Piscacho Group Study Center. Cross the street and walk straight until you come to casa blanca on your right before the high school. Make a right on the dirt road and walk straight until you come to a fork in the road. Make a left then take your first right down the alley. La finca is the last house with a yellow gate on the block. Ask for the La finca de la gringa.

La Soya Community CenterIn 2009 La Soya was set up to provide a communal space to offer a range of activities that helped children learn a new or improved skill. La Mariposa rented a house on the corner of the road near a mature Chilemate tree. La Mariposa paid for a new ceiling, tables, chairs and books as well as renovated the building structure. Shortly after La Mariposa was forced out because the location was slotted for a weekly health clinic. Since 2014 La Soya has


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455been located across the road in a small house with a large yard. Asociación Tierra, with the help of La Mariposa students, donate craft supplies, books, soccer balls and drawing materials.

Volunteers and the teacher help children learn English, improve reading and comprehension, draw, paint, and play games. If you have an interest in arts and craft or teaching English to children then La Soya would be perfectly suited to this placement.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 2pm-5pm


How to get there: Catch a microbus from the main road outside La Mariposa up the hill and ask to get off at el retén you will see a big sign saying El Piscacho Group Study Center on your right – walk up this road towards El Piscacho, you will then find La Soya Community Center on your right. The walk will take about 15-20 minutes. Alternately if you do not want to walk, you can take the microbus to la farmacia and catch a mototaxi from the other side of the road to la soya, cerca al piscacho.

Health ClinicThis volunteer placement is available to volunteers with medical qualifications or experience working in the health field and an intermediate level of Spanish. The work involves assisting the nurses with routine cleaning and paperwork, administration of injections and accompanying them to home-preventative education sessions. In this role volunteers will get to experience first-hand how health care services operate in a country with little resources. You will be required to present your medical certificate or a letter of reference from your school or work in order to partake in this placement.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am-11:30am or 2pm-5pm

How to get here:Catch a microbus from the main road outside La Mariposa up the hill and ask to get off at el retén you will see a big sign saying El Piscacho Group Study Center on your right. Cross the street and walk away from the big sign towards the high school. On the


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455right you will see big sign saying Hospital with a large arrow. Make a left and the Centro de Salud is on your right. The walk is approximately 9 minutes.

Work with rescued wildlife and domestic animalsLa Mariposa has a range of rescued animals living at one of our five properties. Asociación Tierra also partners with local NGOs and veterinarians to provide free spay and neuter surgeries. Similarly we offer one day clinics with free check-ups, vitamins and anti-parasite medicines.

This placement is ideal for volunteers that want to help first hand with our rescued dogs, cats, horses, monkeys, and birds. This role includes handling the animals, feeding, bathing and general maintenance of their enclosures. Even though most of our animals are easy going, we cannot guarantee that one will not bark or bite a volunteer if the animal feels threatened. All animals that we work with have been vaccinated.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am – 11:30am and 2pm-5pm


How to get to get here:


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455Volunteers will work closely with a La Mariposa employee at each volunteer placement. The employee will meet the volunteer at La Mariposa then walk or take public transportation to the volunteer site.

Cañada Honda Reforestation and Eco-tourism In 2015, Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa embarked on its biggest and possibly most important project to date. We are hoping to buy over 140 acres of land, Cañada Honda (means Deep Gully), in Palo Solo which is way out on the ridge beyond Piscacho Group Study Center. Over half of this land is original forest and we have already started to reforest the rest.

Volunteers will begin by raisings funds before arriving to Nicaragua. The funds will be used to create your independent project or support the various activities offered by Asociación Tierra. Volunteers assist local staff with reforesting the area, collecting data on birds and other wildlife, distributing eco-cookers, and leading environmental educational workshops. This placement is perfect for those want to learn about marketing and field research while digging your hands in the dirt.

Working days: Monday to Friday Working hours: 8am – 11:30am and 2pm-5pm

Spanish level: Intermediate

How to get to get here:This placement is recommended for groups because Cañada Honda is located approximately 30 minutes away in the countryside. Asociación Tierra will arrange transportation to and from the volunteer placement for a small cost. Individual volunteers are also welcome however transportation is not guaranteed. Volunteers can take a microbus to la farmacia en La Concha. Then take a mototaxi to San


https://asfltierra.wordpress.com/ * [email protected] * +50586699455Caralampio (5 Cordobas). From there, locals usually walk or ride a bicycle for 30 minutes up the volcano.

Teaching English and Independent ProjectsEvery Saturday at La Reserva one La Mariposa Spanish teacher offers free English courses to children under the age of 12. Volunteers are always welcome to help out with a small group of children or lead their own classes. Volunteers must be TEFL qualified.

Independent projects vary. At any time, we might be asked to repaint a school building, help repair a roof, or reforest public land. At times we also have eco building projects going on. We also often need help taking photographs or making information sheets. Ask us if you are interested in anything out of the ordinary!

Working days: Monday to Friday, SaturdayWorking hours: 8am – 11:30am and 2pm-5pm, 8am-11am

Spanish level: Beginner-Intermediate

How to get here:Spanish classes are held at La Mariposa Spanish School or La Reserva. Turn right on the main road outside La Mariposa and walk down the hill, until you reach the end of the baseball field and take the first right, follow this road (including the bend) until you come to La Reserva on your left-hand-side. The whole walk shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.

Independ Projects locations depend on the volunteer. Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa work closely the volunteer to coordinate logistical details.


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