Girls' home and school "El hogar La Recolección"

A ‘hogar’ is literally a ‘home’. It offers a home to girls in the ages 8‐18 and is run by Catholic nuns. It is connected to the school, where about 1200 girls receive class. Not all girls are orphans, because it also operates as a childcare centre in case both parents are working. Part of them is there to stay over as well (‘internas’, about 30), part of them is there only during the afternoon (‘semi‐internas’, about 40).

The mission statement of the Hogar is: "To offer an education to the girls, taking into account their age and mental and psychological needs, respecting their dignity and individual differences. Taking care of a qualitatively good basic education received in God’s love and fellow human beings, because those are the basic elements to stimulate a healthy social environment,taking care of that they can cope with a competitive and globalising society where christian values are not always appreciated."

The atmosphere is open and hospitable and the volunteer will certainly feel at home. Just being there is already considered as a valuable contribution, but the experience will be much more rewarding of course if you try to leave some valuable experiences behind for the children, and take some with you for yourself of course.

2. History

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.

3. Organisation

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 are living. Sometimes volunteers pass by, but this is not really frequent. At the moment, they are planning to create a cybercafé as a safe and free place where the girls can do their homework, which tends to include more and more exercises on the web and, at the same time, they will open it to general public to cover some costs of the Hogar, because several donors have stopped their donaions due to the financial crisis.

4. Tasks of volunteer

The main activities at La Recolleción are:

• Lunch

• Homework support in the afternoon (until about 3 PM)

• Activities at the end of the afternoon

Volunteers can participate in home work support (especially English and Maths) to the girls, who are often underachieving at school. Also, activities can be organised later in the afternoon; you should take into account the big age range of the girls, so think about an activity plan.

Most girls come from problematic family settings and therefore will really appreciate personal contact, in other words: talking with you about serious as well as daily topics.The work normally is from 13.30PM to about 17.00PM. Another option is to work as a class assistant at the school, as classes are normally loaded with students who cannot get all the personal attention they need. The working hours at school would be concentrated in the morning rather than in the afternoon.

Please take into account that you have an educational role during your work. Therefore, teaching children bad habits is not permitted: smoking has to be done outside, 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 making their homework, not cleaning up their stuff and fights.

Info box:

Location: León, Nicaragua

Duration: Minimum 2 weeks

Special qualifications needed: no

Costs: none, the trouble-free package is optional

Accommodation: Not included

Meals: Not included

Included: Placement in the project; if you opt for the trouble-free package the whole range of services which is part of the trouble-free package is included

Not included: Travel to Nicaragua, health insurance, visa

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