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Individual Volunteer Information Form

This form is intended to assist Association Tierra and La Mariposa to better coordinate your volunteer placement. This form is not binding, it’s just a way for us to obtain information and keep it together in one place. Please fill out whatever you can below, and we can always update this form if any changes need to be made!

Name: Passport number:

M/ F: Emergency contact person and number:

Dates/Duration of your stay:

Spanish ProficiencyLevel of Spanish: Beginner__ Intermediate__ Advanced__ Fluent__Please tell us where, when and for how long you have studied Spanish before:

Volunteer PlacementHow many weeks/months are you interested in volunteering for?

Do you have a strong preference for either morning or afternoon Spanish classes?

What area of volunteer work are you interested in (you may select more than one area): ____ Primary school education (4) ____ La Reserva____ Community center with children ____ Cultural center____ Organic garden ____ Health clinic*____ Teach English and Independent Project ____ Women’s Cooperative Bakery ____ Children with disabilities ____ Animal/Wildlife Maintenance____ Reforestation and Eco-tourism

*Please see our webpage for requirements

Please tell us any skills you have that might help us accommodate your placement:

Please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of placements. We will try to accommodate your interests based on what is available at a given time. Most placements

mariposaspanishschool.com * [email protected] * +50525282006

asfltierra.wordpress.com * [email protected] * +50586699455generally take place in the mornings with classes scheduled in the afternoons. Also please see our webpages (www.asfltierra.org or www.mariposaspanishschool.com) for more details on volunteer placements.

Homestay PlacementWould you like lodging in a homestay: Yes___ No___ Please fill out the following if YES:

How important is it to you to be placed in a family with English speakers?

Are you vegetarian or have any other food allergies?

Is there anything else we should know (preferences or concerns) that would affect your homestay placement?

General Comments Do you have any other comments with respect to your volunteer or homestay placement?

We want your placement to work well both from your point of view and ours. To avoid problems arising as much as possible, please ensure you have read the volunteer and homestay expectations and agree with them. We will go through them with you when you arrive.

Thank you for taking the time to read the information and fill out our volunteer form! We are looking forward to your arrival at Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa!

Volunteer ExpectationsVolunteer work here is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish and learn more about Nicaragua while working with adults, children, gardens and animals. On weekdays you will work four hours as a volunteer, usually in the morning, and receive four hours of Spanish classes as a student in the afternoon.

What you can expect from us: Support on your first day getting to your project.


http://www.mariposaspanishschool.com/

http://www.asfltierra.org/

asfltierra.wordpress.com * [email protected] * +50586699455 Representatives from Asociacion Tierra and/or La Mariposa will all be receptive to your

questions and/or concerns about your volunteer assignment. We ask that if you have a question or concern about your volunteer assignment, please tell one of us rather than anyone else.

We will explain the different projects to you and we try to be flexible if you wish to change placement. We subsidize the projects to the extent we are financially able. If you see the project needs something (eg: food, repairs), please come and talk to us and we will do what we can.

If you have further questions unanswered by the information given we will be happy to discuss the projects further with you.

What we expect from you: Transportation to the project is your responsibility. Sometimes we can provide a lift but

usually you will either have to take a short walk or bus ride to your project. Volunteer assignments begin at 8:00am or earlier. We ask volunteers to be at their

placements at 8:00am. That means leaving your homestay at 7:45am. Volunteers usually leave their placements at 11:30am to be able to be back for lunch La Mariposa. Working in the afternoon projects means working from 1:00 pm until 4.30pm.

We ask volunteers to work at the same project for a minimum of one week. Volunteers switching around every day is difficult for both us and the projects. Getting to know the project, and the other people who work there, is impossible if you only work for one day.

Above all, we expect an ability to reflect on how things work - or don't work - here in Nicaragua (the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere) and why that might be the case. At times this demands a degree of self-reflection as well as the easier task of observing and not judging Nicaraguans!

Please understand that plans often have to be changed in Nicaragua due to weather, school schedules, or unforeseen contingencies.

Please dress practically and appropriately for your volunteer assignment. While it is culturally taboo here in Nicaragua to touch or approach a strange female in any way, revealing shorts or tops will be regarded as a legitimate target for serious male attention. Nicaragua is a largely conservative Catholic country, so we do ask that you be respectful of cultural norms while you are here.

San Juan de la Concepcion is a small community and, as in most small communities, there is a lot of gossip. Please be aware that your behavior and the gossip it may give rise to affects the reputation of Asociacion Tierra.

Inappropriate sexual behavior at your volunteer assignment or with workers affiliated with Asociacion Tierra will result in your early departure. You must be able to discern between a genuine relationship and the type of casual sex which is inappropriate in the workplace.


asfltierra.wordpress.com * [email protected] * +50586699455 Please note we reserve the right to terminate a volunteer assignment and homestay if

you break any verbal and written agreements between the visiting institution and Asociación Tierra affiliates, for whatever reason.

Homestay expectationsWhat you can expect of your homestay:

Students have their own room with some means of security for valuables. Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa are not responsible for lost or stolen items within the homestay.

Your room will be sufficiently large for a single or double bed, a small table and a chair. Beds will have sheets, pillows and a blanket.

Bathroom facilities usually include a latrine and a bucket for bathing (both great ways to conserve water!); these areas are sanitary and cleaned frequently. If you prefer to have a more conventional shower, students in homestays are welcome to use our facility in La Mariposa or dormitory grounds.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided by the homestay family Monday-Friday. On weekends all meals will be provided by the host family. Extra meals at La Mariposa are $5.00USD. Meals should be sufficient to satisfy the guest’s hunger. Examples of meals are:

Breakfast: eggs, toast, fruit, gallo pinto, cheese and tomatoLunch: soup, avocado, rice and beans and juiceDinner: gallo pinto or pasta with fried plantains and cheese

Note: It is understandable that you may not like everything you are served. It is best to try and talk directly to the family about your particular tastes or preferences. However we ask you to be open trying new things and make an effort not to waste food. Talk to us if you have problems.

What is expected of guests living with homestay families? Please be conscious and respectful of shared spaces! Smoking should be done outside TV or music volume should be lowered at night, noisy cockerels and dogs should not be

outside your window! Bringing alcohol into the homestay is not allowed, except in special circumstances and in

consultation with your family. Use of illegal drugs will result in your early departure. Be aware that in Nicaragua

possession of even small amounts of marijuana is punishable by steep fines and or 30 years in jail.

If you plan on returning home later than usual or eating out, you should communicate your plans with your homestay family.

Please respect differences in religion and personal beliefs.


asfltierra.wordpress.com * [email protected] * +50586699455 Families often invite guests to participate in important family events but they should

always permit you to choose. It is normal that students get sick at some point due to the change in food and climate

but let us know if you need help. You are responsible for your own laundry. Make an arrangement for someone in the

house to wash your laundry (suggested 3 Córdoba/piece) or they can teach you to wash it yourself.

If you return to La Mariposa or Nicaragua and want to stay with a previous family, you must check with La Mariposa first, please do not make direct arrangements with the family.

Be aware that Asociacion Tierra affiliates are not allowed to solicit homestays. Homestay guests need to pay to stay overnight in the homestay.

Please seriously consider what is appropriate clothing and behavior. While it is culturally taboo here in Nicaragua to touch or approach a strange female in

any way, revealing shorts or tops will be regarded as a legitimate target for serious male attention. Nicaragua is a largely conservative Catholic country, and you must be respectful of cultural norms while you are here. San Juan de la Concepcion is a small community and, as in most small communities, there is a lot of gossip. Please be aware that your behavior and the gossip it may give rise to affects the reputation of Asociacion Tierra and La Mariposa.

Inappropriate sexual behavior at your homestay or with Asociación Tierra and La Mariposa staff will result in your early departure. You must be able to discern between a genuine relationship and the type of casual sex which is inappropriate in the workplace.

Please note we reserve the right to terminate your homestays if individuals break any verbal and written agreements between the visiting institution and Asociacion Tierra affiliates, for whatever reason. If the event of serious problems please come and talk to Paulette Goudge, owner and president of Asociacion Tierra and La Mariposa Spanish School.

General Schedule of the Day:Morning Placement7:00 am: Breakfast at homestayTypical desayuno: gallo pinto with eggs and coffee. Most Nicaraguan families wake up early! (around 5 am, so be prepared!)

7:30 am: Leave for volunteer project On the first day a representative from Asociacion Tierra or La Mariposa will drop you off by public transportation. After your first day you are expected to get to your volunteer placement by 8am on your own account. You can meet in La Mariposa beforehand or leave directly to your


asfltierra.wordpress.com * [email protected] * +50586699455placement from your homestay. Please remember how to get back because we only drop you off once.

8:00am – 11:30am: Begin Volunteer Work

11:30am: Return back to La Mariposa You are responsible for returning on your own account to La Mariposa for a vegetarian lunch by public transportation.

12:00pm (noon) – 1:00pm: Lunch time - Get your greens! …and rice and beans of course. Lunches usually consist of salad, rice, beans and a main dish.

1:00pm – 3:00pm: Spanish class at La Mariposa (grammar or conversation)

2:50pm – 3:10pm: Break-time - coffee or juice

3:10pm – 5:00pm: Spanish class at La Mariposa (either grammar or conversation)

After 5:00pm: Dinner and free timeHomestay volunteers have dinner with at homestay. Groups staying in the Cabin will eat at La Mariposa. Tell your homestay family if you will be late or not joining them for dinner. For personal safety reasons, you should return home before 7:30pm because there is no transportation and the streets become empty (most Nicaraguan go to bed early).

Note: *All scheduled times are “más o menos” or “more or less” times. They may vary depending on your specific volunteer placement and under unforeseeable circumstances or logistical difficulties we ask you to be flexible. What’s important is that we see you are working as hard as possible and being responsible.

**For volunteers with afternoon placements, the program is essentially the same, just reverse the morning (8am – 12pm) with the afternoon (1pm – 5pm) on the schedule above.

***Please discuss any problems within volunteer placement with Asociacion Tierra or La Mariposa representative.


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