THE DRY SEASON IN NICARAGUA:
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD
We have so much to share with you this season about the latest exciting developments at the Roberto Clemente-Santa Ana Health Clinic… but for this short communication we will focus on the benefits of volunteering this late fall and winter in Nicaragua.
VOLUNTEER ABROAD: DO YOURSELF SOME GOOD, WHILE DOING GOOD FOR OTHERS
When you volunteer abroad it’s not just the people in need who benefit. Volunteer workers enjoy powerful feelings of purpose and a strong sense of accomplishment. They meet new people and make life-long friends. Volunteer work in Nicaragua offers the opportunity to experience other cultures, learn things not found in books or classrooms and gain a new perspective on the world at large.
Past workers have reported that medical volunteering has been among the best experiences of their lives…
Whether you’re looking for a change of pace (or scenery!) from your current medical/healthcare career or are looking for an exciting way to fulfill your internship responsibilities, The Roberto Clemente Clinic in Nicaragua presents a great volunteer opportunity in Nicaragua– the chance to combine the thrilling adventure of travel with the benevolent feelings of giving back to those in need in our community in Limon, Nicaragua.
Contact Juan Munoz, at jmunoz at nicaclinic.org 410-369-0512 our US Executive Director to find out more about this exciting overseas volunteer program.
VOLUNTEER VACATION?
If discovering a new country through surfing, camping, horseback riding and hiking sounds ideal to you, consider a volunteer vacation to Nicaragua!
Imagine a morning filled with the smiling faces of children eager to learn basic math skills from you, followed by an afternoon of leisure at the beach. What about discovering nature strolling forest trails brimming with monkeys and exotic birds in the morning, then an afternoon of self-discovery as you feel the pride of teaching the essentials of sanitation to people without plumbing in Nicaragua.
Volunteering at the Roberto Clemente Clinic can even give you the unmatchable experience of working side-by-side with our doctors and nurses to save someone’s life or helping to create an entirely new healthcare program for our clinic or for the community in Nicaragua.
VOLUNTEER VACATIONS CAN RE-ENERGIZE THE BODY AND THE BRAIN
Even on short notice ( 2 weeks), we can organize a robust, yet balanced schedule of volunteering endeavors in Nicaragua and you get also plan other activities on your own. You can even stay in a four-star resort while on your overseas volunteer program! We’ve made special arrangements with the Rancho Santana hotel – Rancho Santana – for our healthcare clinic volunteers to receive a 25% discount on a single room. There is also a moderately-priced hotel in Limon I, Rivas which includes three meals and comfortable air-conditioned rooms.
WHAT DO MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS ACTUALLY DO?
In general, medical volunteers or nurser or PA are desperately needed to provide patient care to impoverished children and their parents. Our in-country staff will match your medical skills with our volunteer coordinator team.
Because access to medical services in developing communities is often limited, healthcare volunteers are needed to improve basic services such as diabetes screenings, tooth extractions, wellness checks for babies and pre-natal exams in our local clinic, as well as manning village dispensaries. While the needs and the working conditions are very basic, your ‘hands-on’ contribution will be life-changing. 
Nonetheless, if you are a professional in other areas or a college or high school student and want to Volunteer Abroad, our Health Clinic is the best option for you.
In exchange for working approximately five hours a day with Dr. Flores and / or the other members of our local team, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time in Limon 1, Rivas running our public health programs, while learning about our internal procedures, patient care and much more.
And of course, we welcome donations of medical supplies, but there are some restrictions as to the types of medications that can legally be brought into Nicaragua. Please contact us at Clinic @ nicaclinic.org – with any questions.
I DON’T HAVE A MEDICAL BACKGROUND, BUT STILL WANT TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD!
Don’t worry! We can match your individual skill set to a local need. Social workers, students, teachers, lawyers and healthcare social workers have just as much value as physicians, nurses, PA, Physician assistant, EMTs, surgeons, specialty physicians, dental hygienists, pharmacists and dentists who wants to volunteeer in Nicaragua. Our international volunteers have included everybody from Peace Corps participants to high school, college and graduate students to retired professionals looking for a new challenge.
Contact Juan Munoz at jmunoz @ nicaclinic.org to find out how your skills can be put into action in Nicaragua!
OK, I AM READY TO VOLUNTEER ABROAD, WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
Trained professionals interested in practicing in The Roberto Clemente Clinic will need to furnish the following documents four weeks prior to when your volunteer program begins:
1) A Notarized Letter of Intention (in Spanish) describing the type of volunteer work you would like to perform if you are a certified doctor.
2) Copies of your licences , permits, credentials*.
3) Copies of your Diploma if you have been practicing for 5 years.*
4) Copies of your passport with picture.
5) Resume or CV up today.
6) If you need translators we can provide one and this can be paid by you in Nicaragua.
*Full credentials and experience will exempt you from the 
minimum donation we typically require of our volunteers.
WHAT ARE THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH VOLUNTERING ABROAD?
- While there are some basic fixed costs, your choice of accommodations will determine the final pricing:
- Airfare ranges from $500 to $700 (based on travel dates chosen, time of year and departure city)
- Roundtrip transportation from Managua to the Clinic is $300 (The SUV has room for 4 people that you can split if you are coming with more people). Local transportation to schools, other hospital and all local (close to the clinic) transportation is FREE.
- Housing is available in two locations:
- Limon 1: from $300 to $560 (weekly, to be paid locally; includes three meals daily) depending of your choice.
- Rancho Santana where we have arranged a 25% discount for a single room for our volunteers. They also have four-to-six person Casitas and even houses with ocean views (billed at regular rates.)
- Program donation of $400 to be paid before arriving to Nicaragua
- Spending money of $50 per week
- Complete our registration and waiver form that we will send you by email.
Call us at 410-369-0512 to answer more questions which is the most effient way of communication to begin setting up your volunteer vacation!
You can even get expedite the process by sending your program donation online. Once you have made your travel and accommodation arrangements, we will provide you with a detailed itinerary – everything from pick-up at the airport and volunteering opportunities in Nicaragua.
Change your life while changing others’ lives – sign up to volunteer abroad!
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact us as soon as you can by phone – 410-369-0512.
Regards,
Juan Munoz
Executive Director