Nicaragua 2011...

Nicaragua trip 2009

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Despite advances in other parts of Latin America, more than half of Nicaraguans live on less than one US dollar a day, and the annual per capita income is less than US $500.

The high level of poverty is an obstacle to sustainable development, especially in rural areas where there is lack of access to basic services (i.e. health care, education, and housing that will remain strong and dry through the rainy season).

Bamboomoves wants to help... Join us, summer 2011, as we venture to Nicaragua and build a house for an impoverished family.

Please join us for an informational meeting at the end of summer 2010.

FAQs...

Q: Do I need to know some yoga?

A: No, no yoga experience is necessary. This trip’s focus is community service, which is sometimes referred to as “Karma Yoga”. While there will be several short yoga classes offered, they are completely optional and the building of a house will be our main focus.

Q: Do I need to know Spanish?

A: No, you don’t need to know any Spanish for the trip. Bridges to Community (the non-profit we are going through, http://www.bridgestocommunity.org) provides each group with bi-lingual leaders and translators. If you are interested, however, practicing or learning some Spanish prior to the trip will allow you to engage more directly with the Nicaraguan workers and community members.

Q: What is the construction like?

A: No experience is necessary – we will be building small houses using cinder block construction. There is a full team of masons already on site who are willing and happy to explain the steps and much of it is simple work such as shoveling, mixing, bending wire, etc.

Q: Is Nicaragua safe?

A: Since the early 1990s, Nicaragua has been considered one of the safest countries in Central America. Furthermore, Bridges has worked in Nicaragua for over 15 years and has never had an incident relating to personal safety. In all of their sites, Bridges has established a reputation for good work and positive change, and is supported by the local communities and their leaders.

Q: Why are we going through Bridges to Community?

A: In addition to their friendly, caring, energetic and simply amazing staff, Bridges works to create a true cultural immersion experience. This means that we will live, eat, work, and play like the local community does. Being surrounded and immersed in such an environment creates a bonding and community-centered experience like no other.

Q: Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

A: Bridges is a facilitator of international service programs as well as a developer and implementer of numerous community initiatives in the areas they work. The fee not only helps cover the year-round costs of maintaining and growing these projects, but includes the following for every program participant: lodging, meals, ground transportation, professional locally-based staff, translators, recreational fees, emergency evacuation insurance, an administrative fee and informational documents.

Q: Is the trip tax-deductible?

A: Yes, Bridges’ program fee and airfare are both generally tax-deductible for U.S. tax-payers; however please consult a tax professional with specific questions and/or special considerations.

Q: What is Bamboomoves’ role?

A: Bamboomoves is offering this trip as an immersion experience, for both karma yoga (service) and community-building. We are organizing and planning the trip, as well as providing on-site staff, special programming, and yoga classes for those who are interested.

Q: Will Bamboomoves be fundraising?

A: Yes, we have already planned several fundraisers in 2010 and will continue fundraising in 2011 up until the trip departure date. As a participant, you are more than welcome to help fundraise, which will go toward decreasing the cost for each participant and bring greater awareness to this service-based trip.

Please call us, 718-263-0788, with any questions!