Giving Back In San Juan del Sur
Giving back in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
Thanks for checking out this article. This one is a little different, and I think it speaks volumes about the people here, Nicaraguans and foreigners alike, in San Juan del Sur.
In a previous article I talked about the community here and I touched on the ways that you can give back if you choose to make San Juan Del Sur home.
However, it really deserved its own article and video. This one covers a number of different organizations that give back here in the community. It’s not an exhaustive list. So if there are more you think are worth including, send them to me!
I decided to live here for a number of reasons. You can see more on why I chose San Juan. It’s my favourite place in the world to live after traveling extensively.
The people have really embraced me. My lovely wife and her family are the foremost examples. Nicaraguans in general are great people, kind, hard-working, and loving.
However, this country can be challenging for those born into limited means.
The opportunities that we take for granted in developed countries are often not available here. That is changing thanks to the organizations mentioned here.
There are some great organizations and groups of altruistic people giving back. They are giving a hand up to Nicaraguans. Providing locals the tools to build better futures. Through life skills, sports, education, job training and more.
The influx of foreigners moving to San Juan del Sur has large, long-term benefits for the local economy. Most people joining the community derive their income or resources from foreign capital inflows. They are often working remotely & digitally.
Those inflows enter the local economy on a long term, sustained basis. Without displacing local workers, and often creating employment. Nicaragua’s territorial tax system, options for international tax structuring for digital income, and low cost of living mean many have more income to spend in the local economy.
They can also support great groups like those mentioned here.
Organizations in San Juan del Sur
Believe Academy
Originally a sports -based organization that now provides children with arts, science and language opportunities. Free programs let kids enjoy and learn what they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
Website: www.believeacademy.co
From their materials:
“Believe Academy provides communities in Nicaragua with access to opportunities and resources that help people reach their potential.
What We Do: Believe Academy operates local programs in the community of San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. We have children’s programs, education programs, food and clothing programs, as well as job training programs.
Who’s Involved? We started with a few basketballs, a basketball rim, and a vision; showing kids how to play basketball and experience sport. Now we are a team, all working together to serve our local community.
Believe Academy needs help in a variety of areas. We need volunteers who can help deliver our current children’s programs as well as help us add more programs in the future. Get in touch with us if you are interested in visiting Nicaragua and helping serve at Believe Academy! We will use local businesses to help you plan everything for your trip. Whether you are an individual, a family, or a group, Nicaragua is an amazing destination for volunteer tourism.”
A non-profit school program that provides supplementary education to the kids in the public school system. Here the government only provides classes half the day. Barrio Planta offers free school the other half of the day, run by volunteer teachers and on donations from the expats.
The majority of funds are donated by current and former foreign residents. This allows children from families of limited means to enjoy a full day of school.
Website: barrioplantaproject.org
From their materials:
“Our Vision; We envision a world where local communities are able to leverage dynamic, emerging industries into economic and educational opportunities for their children, youth, and families.
Our Mission: BPP empowers children and youth in Latin America by providing supplementary schooling that instills creativity, enhances confidence, facilitates international communication, and develops critical thinking skills
Education: We believe that access to high-quality, relevant educational opportunities from early childhood throughout adulthood is a human right.
Empowerment: We empower others to achieve their own goals at their own pace with respect for their culture and individuality, and with consideration of the resources available to them.
Equality We do not consider any single human life to be more valuable than another. We acknowledge that societal inequities disproportionately impact some groups of people more than others and are dedicated to providing opportunities that mitigate this injustice.”
SOS Animals Nicaragua
A donation based veterinary clinic that supports the health and happiness of the furry friends in the town. They assist in adoptions, treatment and spay and neuter programs. Volunteers and donations are always welcome.
Website: www.sos-animales-nica.org
From their materials:
“SOS Animales Nicaragua is an organization in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua with a mission to ensure the health & happiness of all animals in the community.
We do this by providing animal welfare education and by providing professional veterinary care to the local community, often at a subsidized cost.
Our goal is to improve the health and happiness of the animals in our beautiful community of San Juan del Sur.
There is a lot of animal suffering in San Juan del Sur and similar communities all over the world. The main cause of this suffering is animal overpopulation.
We believe in creating sustainable change and we believe that they way to achieve this is to focus on community education. We work directly within the barrios to raise public awareness about widespread animal health issues and to teach families about proper animal care.”
An education based non-profit that teaches skills to improve employment opportunities. They’ve helped hundreds of locals advance to university and professional careers.
Website: www.fundacionajbrugger.org
From their materials:
“Founder Jean Brugger felt that community service needed to be a crucial element of the sponsorship program. Every student is required to participate by developing and carrying out a unique program in their community.
The projects have included environmental projects such as community clean-up campaigns and the municipal recycling program, social projects such as women’s health and at risk youths, and educational programs such as tutoring in mathematics, physics, and English
Founder Jean Brugger felt that community service needed to be a crucial element of the sponsorship program. Every student is required to participate by developing and carrying out a unique program in their community.
The projects have included environmental projects such as community clean-up campaigns and the municipal recycling program, social projects such as women’s health and at risk youths, and educational programs such as tutoring in mathematics, physics, and English. “
Ride Nature
A Christian action sports organization that combines surfing, skateboarding and community development with their ministry. I’ve seen first hand their ability to assist individuals with substance abuse problems. Giving them both hope and healthy activity.
Website: www.ridenature.org/nicaragua
From their materials:
“Our mission is to equip leaders globally with tools and resources to utilize action sports as a tool for outreach, evangelism and discipleship.
Our Mission Statement:We are dedicated to giving generously, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, and making disciples through action sports outreach, evangelism, and discipleship.
Our core values: The foundation of our organization is based upon these 3 values;
Generosity: We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy action sports, therefore we are working to provide free surfboards, skateboards, and skimboards for children living in poverty around the world.”
Close to the Costa Rican border this beautiful beach is the home for thousands of turtles. They return to that lay their eggs every year. The local staff ensure poachers, who are only trying to provide for their families, do not steal the eggs before they're able to hatch and get to the ocean.
One of the most breathtaking beaches in the South Pacific can be found in Nicaragua's La Flor Wildlife Refuge. On one side of the pristine white sand is a tropical forest, and on the other is the Pacific Ocean.
Although only 800 hectares in size, this reserve is visited annually by 30,000 Olive Ridley turtles,. The park is maintained by the nonprofit organization Fundacion Cocibolca, whose goal is to enlist the help of the local community in its development. The NGO also staffs park rangers to watch over the turtle nests.
Los Pipitos is an Association of Parents of Children with Disabilities, founded in 1987 as a non-profit organization. For more than 31 years it has focused on the empowerment and rehabilitation of children, adolescents and young people with disabilities. Taking families as the basis of its comprehensive development model, under a human rights approach whose ultimate goal is social inclusion.
Website: lospipitos.org
The organization's mission is to empower families for social impact in order to improve the quality of life for their disabled sons and daughters in increasingly inclusive communities.
A social movement with 83 chapters and presence and support in every department of the country. Every year, 12,000 families are affected. Through the various programs made possible by collaborators, the community, and volunteer mothers and fathers. It has 38 Learning Centers for Life spread across Nicaragua.
They make no distinctions based on political ideology, religion, race, or social status. Gender equity, social inclusion, diversity, protection and safeguarding of the physical and emotional integrity of children and adolescents with disabilities, and environmental preservation
Los Pipitos understands the value of collaboration and institutional partnerships in carrying out its mission. In this regard, they have the support of about 900 volunteer mothers, fathers, and relatives, as well as valuable historical relationships with various State ministries, recognizing their non-delegable role as guarantors of education, health, and welfare services for the population.
A cafe, restaurant and nursery staffed entirely by people with hearing disabilities.
Customers don't have to say anything to place an order. Nicafé began as a tool to assist deaf and mute persons in finding work.
Customers are greeted with the words "Hands that speak," which is written on a sign in the restaurant's entrance. Customers are also informed by the sign that the staff is deaf.
A waiter signs a hello, leads the customer to a table, and hands the customer a menu that includes a variety of foods as well as a piece of the sign language alphabet. The menus based on Nicaraguan traditional cooking, and the coffee is excellent.
If you’re interested in volunteering, donating to, patronizing, or otherwise assisting any of the organizations mentioned, you can use the links above to do so. Thanks for reading!
Joel Stott-Jess
LifeInNica.com
Cell / WhatsApp: +505 8176 8624
US Number: 1 786 753 8743
Skype: joelstottjess
Joel Stott-Jess is a New York Times featured agent / broker in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua.
Originally from Alberta, Canada he has been doing business in Nicaragua since 2014.
An investment consultant, serial entrepreneur, surfer, and outdoor enthusiast he is an expert on the real estate and business markets in Nicaragua. He also operates The Central Investor, a real estate and investment blog focused on the entire Central American region.
