Hogar la Recolección is a girl's home and school for girls from difficult backgrounds. In the mornings, you can help in the school and in the afternoons, support the girls with their homework and carry out recreational activities with them.
Project Details
Run by Catholic nuns, "La Recolección" is a home to girls aged 5‐18 years. 16 girls stay at the centre ("Internas") and around 30 girls only attend the centre in the afternoon ("semi-internas"). Not all of the girls are orphans, in many cases both parents are working and don't have time for their daughters, or they are from broken families, or from families that are extremely poor and therefore cannot guarantee a good education and positive development for the girls.
The centre is connected to a school with around 1200 girls. The girls of the home are at school in the morning and return to the centre in the afternoon.
The mission statement of the centre is "To offer an education to the girls, taking into account their age and mental and psychological needs, respecting their dignity and individual differences."
The Hogar and the school already exist since 1880, when it started with 11 girls, and the school was opened. It has always served as a safe environment for girls from broken families or girls who are forced to live in very poor conditions, giving them a chance to get forward.
Sor Flor is the director and devotes, together with three other nuns, her life to the future of these girls. There are about 3 teachers present for homework support (educadoras) and to control the girls a little; several older girls are constantly present in the area where the girls from the Hogar live.
The main activities for volunteers/interns at La Recolección are:
- In the mornings, participants can help as assistants in the school. The classes are often very crowded, so the local teachers need support in order to give the students adequate care.
- To participate in home work support from around 1.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. (especially English and Maths) for the girls who often underachieve at school.
- To arrange late afternoon activities. You should take into account the big age range of the girls. Most girls come from problematic family settings, but really appreciate personal contact.
Please take into account that you have an educational role during your work. Therefore, teaching bad habits is not permitted: smoking is not allowed in front of the girls, cursing is of course prohibited, and honesty, respect and responsibility are very much the centre of the things that are taught to the children. Also, it is expected that you will address the children in case of, for example, not doing their homework, not cleaning up their stuff and fights.
The girls leave for their homes during the weekends to stay with their families. Hogar la Recolección is closed during Semana Santa, for one week in July and during the whole months of November, December and January.
If you are interesed in volunteering/doing your internship at Hogar La Recolección, we would require a letter of motivation from you.
Info Box
Location: León, Nicaragua
Availability: All year, Start date flexible Minimum Duration: 2 Weeks Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: Spanish Further Languages Of Advantage: English Accommodation: Room with Host Family, Shared Accommodation |
Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Teacher, Educator Minimum Qualification Of Intern: None Further Contribution To Project: None |
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: Experience in education and/or teaching Further Contribution To Project: None Expectations: Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude? |