Global Builders – Nicaragua

Global Builders Nicaragua

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. Despite being a popular place to visit though, there is a great need for housing as 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. With your help, and the help of locals, we’re bridging that gap. As of September 2020, after just a few short years we have already partnered with over 130 families in new houses or major home improvements.

Getting Involved

There are several ways that you can get involved:

  • Donate to support this specific partner. Houses cost money to build, so any donation is always helpful!
  • Join a virtual volunteer team, choosing to donate your travel costs instead of making the trip in person. This is the perfect way to stay involved and give back during the COVID-19 pandemic.

House Sponsorship Cost: $7,500

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 Trip number Team Leaders Dates of Trip Cost Status
Virtual Trip 00002 Joseph McBrideDeadline - May 15, 2021 1 Home - $8000 Join Here

In 2013 community members of a small fishing village called Las Peñitas, just outside of Leon, invited the first Fuller Center Covenant Partner in Nicaragua to begin work in their town to address the enormous housing needs. After 5 years of building homes, making friends, and changing lives there, FCH Nicaragua determined it was time to expand and continue helping families in new communities. 

Proactive members of Zaragoza, a community of about 60 families, reached out to us and we are now in full partnership with them! 

Zaragoza is located within the city of Leon in the west of the country about half an hour from the ocean. It is a beautiful region where the people are very friendly and welcoming. 

However, it is a study of contrasts. Smiling children laugh and play during the day and lay their heads to rest in flimsy, unsafe shacks at night. Workers struggle mightily to feed and house their families, yet offer you food and even the shirts off their backs. You’ll love helping these hard-working people who not only help themselves but are just as eager to help others.

What is a trip 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 time for R&R.

  • 7:00 –  Breakfast/Devotions
  • 8:00 –  Build begins
  • 12:00 –  Lunch
  • 1:00 –  Build continues
  • 4:00 – Finish building, Evenings free for lunch and R&R

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. 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.

Most teams will stay at the Hotel Santiago de los Caballeros, about 10 minutes from the work site. You can expect breakfast, free wifi, air conditioning, and double rooms. Lunch and dinner will be arranged by the country host.

The country host will rent a bus or van to transport the team to destinations that cannot be walked to. Much of the area can be accessed on foot though, since the hotel is in the city center and only a 10 minute walk from the work sites.

Bedding and towels are provided by the hotel, but we recommend bringing your own washcloth. It’s helpful to have work clothes that include long pants and work gloves. You may want to also bring basic first aid supplies, sunscreen, bug repellent, smalls games for down time, and small hand tools like tape measures.

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. Popular activities include shopping at local stores, seeing historic sites in Leon, and hanging out at the nearby beach.

A standard 1 week trip to Nicaragua costs between $980 – $1100. Each trip will have a slightly different cost; contact your trip leader or globalbuilders@fullercener.org for more details.

Are you unsure of how to prepare for such an experience or just looking for some tips on how to be better prepared? If so, we suggest you take a look at our Trip Preparation page where you will find a lot of helpful information and links – Preparing For Your Trip!

Pricing – What’s included?

Team Materials Fuller Center hat, t-shirt, country guidebook, fundraising guide, & more
Trip Support Easy contact with Team Leader and Global Builders staff
Food and Drink 3 meals a day provided by safe, sanitary local vendors
Transportation To and from work sites and airport
Lodging Hotel Santiago de los Caballeros in Leon, or Hotel Suyapa in Las Peñitas
Travel Insurance Currently provided by Core Travel Insurance. Contact GB staff for details
Life-changing work Alongside your teammates and the homeowners!

What happens after the trip?

Even after you return, your trip can have a sustained impact on both you and the community in which you served! 
Learn how on our Country Champions page.

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.
 

Despite it being a popular place to visit, there is a great need for housing as 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. With your help, and the help of locals, we’re bridging that gap. As of January 2019, after just a few short years we have already partnered with over 120 families in new houses or major home improvements.

 

Getting involved

There are several ways that you can get involved:

  • Donate to support this specific partner. Houses cost money to build, so any donation is always helpful!
  • Volunteer on one of our Nicaragua Global Builders teams, which you can learn more about below. You’ll travel to Nicaragua and get to know the local people and traditions while you partner with families to complete a home.
  • Join a virtual volunteer team, choosing to donate your travel costs instead of making the trip in person. This is the perfect way to stay involved and give back during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Home sponsorship cost: $7,000

Donate to this Covenant Partner


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.

 

Request More
Information
                                       Propose Your
Own Trip


In 2013 community members of a small fishing village called Las Peñitas, just outside of Leon, invited the first Fuller Center Covenant Partner in Nicaragua to begin work in their town to address the enormous housing needs. They similarly reached out to other organizations to help meet other community needs such as schools and clean water and have seen incredible improvements. After 5 years of building and over 120 families housed, FCH Nicaragua determined it was time to expand and continue helping families in new communities. Proactive members of Zaragoza, a community of about 60 families, reached out with hopes of partnering with us and we are now in full partnership with them! Zaragoza is only about a 30 minute ride from Las Peñitas, so we plan to visit regularly, but we’re excited to partner with new families and continue working alongside the wonderful people of Nicaragua.

Zaragoza is located within the city of Leon in the west of the country about half an hour from the ocean. It is a beautiful region where the people are very friendly and welcoming. However, it is a study of contrasts. Smiling children laugh and play during the day and lay their heads to rest in flimsy, unsafe shacks at night. Workers struggle mightily to feed and house their families, yet offer you food and even the shirts off their backs. You’ll love helping these hard-working people who not only help themselves but are just as eager to help others.

About Volunteering in Nicaragua

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.

Learn the Basics — Area Info

Language:
Spanish (Official) 95.3%, Miskito 2.2%, Other 2.5%
Age Structure:
0-14 years 27.88%, 15-24 years 21.78%, 25-54 years 39.42%, 55+ years 10.92%
Population:
5,966,798 (2016 est.)
Life Expectancy: 73.2 years (Male 71.1, Female 75.5)
Climate:
Tropical – Day Avg. 86, Night Avg. 72; Rainy Season: May-October
Currency:
Cordoba  $1USD = C$32.5
Literacy Rate:
82.8% (Male 82.4%, Female 83.2 %)
Ethnic Groups:
Mestizo 69%, White 17%, Black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Religion: 
Roman Catholic 51.6%, Evangelical 33.9%, Unspecified 12.9%, Other 1.5%, None 0.2%

 


More Info — Learn more about what a trip is like

Typical Day

Sample Schedule:

  • 7:00 a.m. – Breakfast
  • 8:00 a.m. – Begin building at work-site
  • 12:00 p.m. – Lunch
  • 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Continue building
  • 4:00 p.m. – Evening free for dinner and relaxation (Exact schedules can be discussed and set depending on the team’s preferences and length of stay.)

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. 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

The food and lodging options for Nicaragua will vary depending on the size of the group. If you would like more information regarding the various options please feel free to contact us at globalbuilders@fullercenter.org

Transportation

A small bus will be rented to transport the group throughout each day. The distance from the hotel to each work-site will vary, but on average it is about 10 minutes.

Rest, Relaxation, and Sightseeing

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

Typically seven day trips will cost between $900-$1100. Two-week trips will cost more, usually ranging between $1,600 and $1,900. 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!

Trip Preparation

Are you unsure of how to prepare for such an experience or just looking for some tips on how to be better prepared? If so, we suggest you take a look at our Trip Preparation page where you will find a lot of helpful information and links – Preparing For Your Trip!


Pricing – What’s Included

Trip Length: 7-14 days (price varies depending on length)
Materials Provided:   In-depth Guidebook outlining what to expect, Pre-trip safety training, Fundraising guide, Option to create online fundraising page, T-shirt and hat
Trip Support: Yes – from trip leader and Global Builders staff
Clean Drinking Water: Yes
Food: Yes – 3 meals a day are provided
Transportation: Yes – to and from the airport and work-site
Lodging Accommodations: Hotel
Meaningful Work: Yes – led and coordinated by dedicated Nicaraguans
Travel Medical Insurance: Yes
R&R Opportunities: We’ll assist you in setting up sightseeing and cultural opportunities

 

What happens after the trip?

Even after you return, your trip can have a sustained impact on both you and the community in which you served! Learn how on our Country Champions page.
 
Learn more See pictures of the homes and previous Nicaragua trips 2015 | 2015 – NC State | 2013 – 2014
 

View All Open Trips                                                Sign Up Now    


 
View the video below to catch a glimpse of what a week in Nicaragua is like:
 

Meet Some Families

Milagros's Family

Jose & Gloria

Yasmina's Family