Support of children from challenging family backgrounds

The organization operates two daycare centers for children and adolescents who come from unstable family environments, often experiencing domestic violence, spending much of their time engaged in child labor, or committing petty criminal acts. The organization's activities aim to ensure formal education and the positive development of these children and adolescents as members of society.

One daycare center focuses on children aged 6–13 years. Most of the approximately 100 children supported here work as mobile vendors, selling items like vegetables, drinks, plastic bags, and cigarettes in the Santos Barcenas market area, as well as on streets and in public spaces. As a result, they lose significant time for school and often work at night in dangerous environments where alcohol consumption, prostitution, and sexual abuse are common.

At the center, the children receive tutoring, English lessons, psychosocial care from a psychologist, lunch (prepared in a kitchen with the help of some of the mothers), and opportunities for meaningful recreational activities. The center has equipment for acrobatics and circus activities (e.g., unicycles), which are currently unused due to the lack of instructors. There are also costumes for traditional Nicaraguan dances (donated), opportunities for painting and crafting, and a sports field where popular sports like baseball and football are played. However, it should be noted that improving the children's academic performance is the highest priority. Activities like circus arts and dance are considered additional recreational programs and are conditional on satisfactory school performance.

The organization's staff also involve the children's parents, educating them about issues such as violence against children, child labor, and juvenile delinquency. Additionally, there is a microcredit program for parents to support their financial situations, reducing their dependence on their children's labor.

The daycare center at the organization's second location serves approximately 40 adolescents aged 14–18. In addition to academic tutoring, it provides basic vocational training in fields such as carpentry, tailoring, leatherwork, and beauty services (hairdressing/makeup). The goal is to enable these adolescents to successfully complete vocational training, a goal achieved by 85% of the children and adolescents supported.

Your Role in Social Work in León, Nicaragua

Volunteers and interns can expect to participate in a variety of meaningful activities, such as tutoring children in academic subjects, teaching English, organizing recreational sports, or leading creative workshops in art, music, or dance. Those with specialized skills in vocational training can contribute by teaching practical skills like sewing, carpentry, or hairdressing. Additionally, volunteers may assist in psychosocial support programs, help with meal preparation, or run awareness sessions for parents to address issues like child labor and domestic violence.

The organization operates professionally and expects a professional attitude from its volunteers and interns. At the start of your placement, a work plan will be developed for you. You should expect to work at least 3–4 days per week.

Participation is open to volunteers and interns from the fields of social work, psychology, and education, as well as those with skills in vocational training (e.g., carpentry, tailoring, leatherwork, makeup/hairdressing), sports, dance, singing, art, acrobatics, crafting, and English teaching.

Volunteers and interns without sufficient Spanish skills should consider taking language classes concurrently.

Volunteers and interns should have a professional and serious attitude, be highly motivated, and capable of handling pressure while working with extremely undisciplined children and adolescents from challenging backgrounds. They should be aware of their role as role models and refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol, appearing intoxicated, or displaying visible tattoos or piercings in the vicinity of the facility.