Why Nicaragua?
The average Honduran earns about $1 a day. Rated the second poorest nation in the western hemisphere, approximately 80% of the Honduras population lives in poverty. Clean water, health care, and education, often taken for granted in the U.S., are considered luxuries. Poverty results in malnutrition, preventable deaths, and thousands of abandoned children living on the streets.
The areas Global Brigades visits are considered some of the most in-need villages in the country. Every year Global Brigades sends thousands of college students to Central America to provide aide, and every week each college group can see hundreds to thousands of patients. With your help, we can bring an end to the needless pain and suffering and bring hope and love into the lives of thousands.
For more information visit: http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicaragua
The areas Global Brigades visits are considered some of the most in-need villages in the country. Every year Global Brigades sends thousands of college students to Central America to provide aide, and every week each college group can see hundreds to thousands of patients. With your help, we can bring an end to the needless pain and suffering and bring hope and love into the lives of thousands.
For more information visit: http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicaragua
How Much Will This Trip Cost?
The cost of the trip is broken down into the following:
Global Medical Brigades places a great deal of emphasis on fundraising. As this is a collegiate organization, we understand that money is tight but there are ways of making this brigade a reality!
The córdoba is the currency of Nicaragua. It is subdivided into 100 centavos.
The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 24.47 córdoba.
Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicaragua
- Deposit: $275 + $25 club fee = $300
- Airfare (tax, charges, insurance): $500-900
- In-country cost: $930 (Deposit will be put towards this)
- Total: $1,700 - $2,000 to go to Nicaragua for 9 days.
Global Medical Brigades places a great deal of emphasis on fundraising. As this is a collegiate organization, we understand that money is tight but there are ways of making this brigade a reality!
The córdoba is the currency of Nicaragua. It is subdivided into 100 centavos.
The current exchange rate is 1 USD to 24.47 córdoba.
Source: http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicaragua
Is Spanish or a Medical Background Needed?
No! However, if one does possess one or both of these skills it is highly encouraged! Global Medical Brigades does make it comfortable for all people on the brigade. We will be paired with a Global Medical Coordinator once we arrive to Honduras who is from the area and fluent in both English and Spanish.
Feel free to invite all. Those who have attended without a Spanish or medical background had amazing experiences!
Feel free to invite all. Those who have attended without a Spanish or medical background had amazing experiences!
Where do We Stay in Nicaragua?
Global Medical Brigades (GMB) has built lasting relationships with individuals in the area and have established proper accommodations with GMB teams. We will fly into Managua International Airport. From the airport we will be picked up by a GMB bus and taken to one of the housing accommodations. These housing accommodations are all about a one hour bus ride from the airport. GMB volunteers will stay in fully functional hotels security guards, clean water, electricity, showers, linens, in-house chef, maids, laundry service and more. An internet cafe will also likely be accessible.
What is Average Day in Nicaragua Like?
Day 1: Arrival and Medical/ Dental Introduction
Volunteers will be greeted by Global Brigades staff at the airport. After traveling to lodging facilities, the Program Lead will conduct a Program Orientation to introduce the students to the program, the compound, and the staff that will be working with the volunteers for the week.
Day 2: Tour Day & Sorting Medicine
On the second day the group gets a tour of the surrounding area. The group will go on a Volunteers will begin sorting medicine that they have collected and brought to Nicaragua.
Day 3-5: Community Brigade Days
Days 3, 4, and 5 will be spent in the community, offering medical care for the community members. Students will be running the entire brigade from triage to pharmacy. To get a clear view of what students can be doing on brigades, see below!
Day 6-8: Public Health Brigade Days
During days 6-8 your group will dive into your infrastructure projects, working alongside the Nicaraguan community throughout the entire effort. You will get your hands dirty and put your minds together to help improve the living conditions in families’ homes and the overall quality of life in the community. In teams of 3-5 students, you will be building either a latrine, water storage unit ("pila"), eco-stove, shower, or concrete floors. These projects are labor-intensive, but as you will be working side-by-side with local masons, anyone can take part regardless of expertise.
Day 9: Airport Departure
After a successful brigade, students return home to share their experiences. Transportation will be provided to airport.
Volunteers will be greeted by Global Brigades staff at the airport. After traveling to lodging facilities, the Program Lead will conduct a Program Orientation to introduce the students to the program, the compound, and the staff that will be working with the volunteers for the week.
Day 2: Tour Day & Sorting Medicine
On the second day the group gets a tour of the surrounding area. The group will go on a Volunteers will begin sorting medicine that they have collected and brought to Nicaragua.
Day 3-5: Community Brigade Days
Days 3, 4, and 5 will be spent in the community, offering medical care for the community members. Students will be running the entire brigade from triage to pharmacy. To get a clear view of what students can be doing on brigades, see below!
Day 6-8: Public Health Brigade Days
During days 6-8 your group will dive into your infrastructure projects, working alongside the Nicaraguan community throughout the entire effort. You will get your hands dirty and put your minds together to help improve the living conditions in families’ homes and the overall quality of life in the community. In teams of 3-5 students, you will be building either a latrine, water storage unit ("pila"), eco-stove, shower, or concrete floors. These projects are labor-intensive, but as you will be working side-by-side with local masons, anyone can take part regardless of expertise.
Day 9: Airport Departure
After a successful brigade, students return home to share their experiences. Transportation will be provided to airport.