Project Chacocente has a powerful impact, not only on the lives of the families who live there but also on those who visit the Project. Some people feel compelled to return to the Project for a longer period of time as a volunteer. We welcome you to share your gifts and talents with the families of Project and surrounding neighborhood, and the students and staff of Chacocente Christian School.
Maybe your hobby is karate, gardening or carpentry, which you could share with the adults and/or children of the Project. Perhaps you have worked with special needs children and would like to assist our teachers in helpful techniques for their classrooms.
We welcome as volunteers high-school graduates with some college/life experience, college students who want to take a semester off, retirees who would like to share their skills, and adults who are feeling called to serve at Chacocente. Our volunteers have taught a variety of things from preschool, to Bible studies, to crafts and aerobics. You can work with children, teens, young adults, and/or adults.
To help make the experience beneficial for all, we ask that you apply early – at least six months in advance. This enables you to attend a required Volunteer in Mission training, and to prepare yourself fully for the experience. Spanish speakers/students are preferred but, initially, you may be able to get by with less if you are willing to learn the language.
Although you are responsible for your own travel and living expenses, we will assist you in finding affordable housing.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Courtney Gildersleeve at [email protected]
(Chacocente) was not just a health or housing project for the poorest Nicaraguans. It was a vehicle to experience the love of God, regard- less of whether you are a “have” or a “have not.” That’s why we al- ways go down to give of ourselves and find that we are the receivers.
“Volunteering at Project Chacocente was easily the most rewarding and memorable experience of my life. Armed with a Spanish dictionary and a water bottle…plus a few other things, I really had no idea what was in store for my 7 month adventure. All I knew was that this organization was special, and that it was where I was supposed to be at that point in my life.”
Beginning in February of 2011, I was assigned to teach English to second through sixth grade. To call it a challenge in the beginning is an understatement. My lack of Spanish speaking skills and a shortage of English teaching supplies was a bit intimidating at first. But, with time and the incredible patience demonstrated to me by my students and fellow staff, our classes fell into a rhythm and became something that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Beginning in February of 2011, I was assigned to teach English to second through sixth grade. To call it a challenge in the beginning is an understatement. My lack of Spanish speaking skills and a shortage of English teaching supplies was a bit intimidating at first. But, with time and the incredible patience demonstrated to me by my students and fellow staff, our classes fell into a rhythm and became something that I thoroughly enjoyed.
To anyone who is interested in volunteering at Chacocente, the best advice I can give you is to just do it. Volunteering is not always easy. Things will not always go the way you expect them to, you will not always understand what is going on, you will be challenged every day, and sometimes, you may just want to go home. But I can guarantee you, that the challenges you will face are nothing compared to the joy and reward of being a part of Project Chacocente.”
9/9/2011
“Today, we went on a field trip with the students to Ciudad Darío and to the site of the Battle of San Jacinto. We all piled into the Godinez bus, and the volunteers sat with the 1st and 2nd graders. When we got to the battlefield, we ate chicken and tomato sandwiches for lunch. Later, we climbed an enormous hill. It was very steep, and extremely difficult in flip flops! However, the teachers and students were very supportive. We rested for a bit at the top; it was cool and breezy. On the way down, I went pretty slowly and fell behind, but eleven year old Maycool slowed downed to make sure I was on track. On the way home, I sat with Allen, a 1st grader, on my lap.
Today was amazing. I loved spending so much time with the students, and I feel like I got to know them better. It seems like they now feel more comfortable with me too. I’m so grateful for today!”