Go Philanthropic: Nicaragua 2012

!McMaster!University!

Changing Lives One Wall at a Time: Volunteer in NicaraguaNovember 23 - Dec 5, 2012

The 4 Walls Project is dedicated to helping change the lives of families in the rural town of El Sauce, Nicaragua. Entire families, sometimes as many as ten or more people, live in houses with walls constructed out of tarps, crumbling adobe brick, and rotting timber. The 4 Walls program, in conjunction with GoPhilanthropic Foundation, provides families with access to raw materials to rebuild the walls of their homes. During this life-changing 13 day journey, volunteers work directly alongside Nicaraguan families in transforming their homes and their futures.

Trip Highlights:~ Four Walls offers travelers a unique experience of replacing current homes into a small secure “casa” of bricks and cement. ~ Visit the local area of Ocotal. Drive into the hills, ride horses, hike and meet with various co-ops. ~ Visit the cities of Managua and León, learning the history of Nicaragua. ~ Get some much needed rest at the beach after building homes.

In the words of Luz, a woman who was the recipient of a 4 WALLS house ~ “ You have brought light into our lives. You have shared, joy & love with us .... I don’t have words to say how grateful we are. We now have a home. This is something I could not afford while doing laundry, I only had money to buy some beans & rice.”

Trip Cost - $2150 This includes a $200 donation to 4 Walls towards the building of houses.

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1-585-319-3890

Engaged ~ Philanthropic Travel

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GoPhilanthropic is an innovative socially-conscious travel company committed to helping individuals and small groups create meaningful life experiences through Travel Philanthropy. Go...learn...and see for yourself the inspiring work taking place in communities and villages around the world - then become a partner in providing solutions... www.GoPhilanthropic.com

Representing great people doing great things in great places...

ITINERARY

Arrival at Augusto C. Sandino International Airport. After clearing immigration and customs procedure, walk out of the exit gate and look for the welcome signboard for GoPhilanthropic. Relax from your flight and then join the group for a local dinner at Cocina de Doña Haydé.

Meals: DinnerAccommodation: Hotel Maria La Gorda

Day 2: Managua

This morning, you will be guided through the old downtown area of Managua, learning about the rich Nicaraguan history and visiting the old Cathedral. Continue to Parque Loma de Tiscapa. This is home to Managua's most easily recognized landmark; the silhouette of a statue of Sandino, which stands on the site of the former Presidential Palace, the site where he and his followers were executed in 1934. Explore Sandino’s Museum. Enjoy a bit of free time to explore the park, or choose to have a Canopy tour.

Following lunch, begin the drive to El Sauce. Upon arrival, get settled in with your host family or at the hotel and meet back with the group for an orientation.

Meals: AllAccommodation: Hotel Blanco or Homestay


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Day 3: Building Houses

Wake up early and walk through the town to the home you will be building. Upon arrival, meet the family who will be working with. The “albañil” ~ mason, who is in charge of the construction project will teach you all you need to know. Your jobs will be sifting sand, digging trenches, moving bricks, making cement and mortar and building the walls.

Tonight we have a “Cena Comunitaria” ~ (community dinner) with the host families, albañils, and the Four Walls committee. At the end of dinner, enjoy a local musical group.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch daily with your homestay hosts or at Hotel Blanco / Dinner includedAccommodation: Hotel Blanco or Homestay


This morning, continue building.

“Sure, you’re going to be hot, dirty, sweaty, tired to the bone, but you’ll be smiling from the inside-out. Long after the trip is over, you’ll be thinking about this family with joy, care & compassion.”

In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to tour the houses that have been previously built by Four Walls, followed by a general tour of El Sauce with a stop at the new hospital and the “Iglesia,” home to the famous Negro Cristo.



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Continue building throughout the morning, have a quick lunch and return for an hour of work.

Mid afternoon, take a river tour to cool off!


Day 6: Travel to Ocotal

Arrive at the Enlace office to begin your drive into the mountains. You will drive through the lush forest and through rivers before arriving at a local farmers home, where you will jump on horses to continue your climb. As you ride, you will learn about the coffee and tourist co-operative that the farmers are involved in. Have a tour of the coffee plantations, and learn the process from beans to a rich cup of organic coffee. Arriving at the Ranchón for lunch, followed by a hike to the top of “Mirador El Jicote” ( the look out point).

Later in the day, visit local homes where you will learn to make a typical Nicaraguan tortilla.

This evening the group will divide into different groups for their home stays. Each group will have an interpreter with them. Meet your family, enjoy a meal and learn about local living.

Meals: AllAccommodation: Homestay


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Day 7: Ocotal and return to El Sauce

Wake up early and hike through the trails designed in the farms. Take an artesanía tour. Meet with the women’s co-op where they use pine needles to make baskets and various other crafts.

Return to El Sauce in the afternoon.

Evening – Participate in the fun English class from ENLACE Project. You will introduce yourself to the class, they will ask you some questions and then you will participate in the interactive activities that they have during class.

Meals: Breakfast and LunchAccommodation: Hotel Blanco or Homestay

Day 8 and 9: Full Days Building

Return to the houses to continue building.


Day 10: Building houses and Farewell Dinner

Today is your final day building.

In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner with the families who have benefited from your hard work. The Four Walls committee and the albañils will join the fun.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch with host families, Dinner at Hotel BlancoAccommodation: Hotel Blanco or Homestay


1-585-319-3890




Day 11: León and the Beach

Enjoy breakfast in León before touring the downtown area and visiting the Historical Cathedral, which was dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July. Visit the Art Museum that shows pieces of art in a time path, beginning with artistic paintings from the 16th century, continuing to Central American art.

Drive the short distance to the Pacific coast for some much needed relaxation. Dinner on own.

Meals: Breakfast and LunchAccommodation: Hotel Sol y Mar

Day 12: Relaxation

Enjoy the beach.

Late in the day, return to Managua.

Meals: AllAccommodation: Hotel Maria La Gorda

Day 13: Depart home (flights on own)

Depart for the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport for your return flights home.

Meals: None


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Trip Includes:• All meals and lodging as noted in the itinerary• In-country transportation• All housing project related supplies• 24-hour emergency On-Call• Services of trip coordinators/interpreters• Three recreational field trips

Trip Excludes: • International Airfare • Overweight luggage• Visa fee, which is U$10 to be paid when arriving in the country• Extras at hotels - (telephone calls, room service, laundry, alcoholic drinks, etc)• Other meals• Beverages not included in meals• Personal expenses• Travel and Trip insurance


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Go Philanthropic: Nicaragua 2012

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