• Groups – 1 to 2 weeks
• Program Volunteer – 2 weeks to 3 months
• Corps Volunteer – 6 months to 2 years

Groups
Groups include mission trips, high school service trips, or any combination of friends, co-workers and families that wish to come to Nicaragua together in the spirit of service. Group sizes are generally between 10 and 20 persons. We prefer a minimum of at least 8 participants.

Fabretto will provide a guide for the duration of your Fabretto stay who will work with your group leader on trip logistics.  We expect groups to have worked with our volunteer team to identify and plan for the execution of a special project during their visit and to have raised funds or resources to support the implementation prior to their arrival in Nicaragua.  Generally, groups should plan to raise between $250 and $300 per participant, which may or may not cover the full cost of the project (i.e. a 10 person group would donate between $2,500 - $3,000 towards the implementation of their special project).


There is a wide range of volunteer work available based on the skills, abilities, and interests of the visitors, and of course, our program needs at the time of the visit. With so many children in our programs, we can use virtually any skill you are willing to share with us!

There is plenty of free time in all group trip schedules so that you will also have the chance to get to know the community, participate in local events and visit local micro-enterprises, shops, and churches. But most importantly, we will encourage you to spend as much time with the children as possible.

Groups generally volunteer in Cusmapa and stay at Casa Loyola, a dorm house that accommodates up to 24 people. Meals will be planned by Fabretto and served at the children’s centers at lunchtime, or at the volunteer house. We will provide transportation from the airport to your assigned center. In order to cover the costs of meals, housing allowances, and in-country transportation, there is a daily fee of between $65 and $75 per person, depending on your itinerary. The minimum ages are 15 with an adult chaperone and 21 without. Please fill out the Nicaragua Application Form in order to begin the process of trip planning.  Note: there is limited availability during spring break and summer months, if you can schedule a trip for off season times, there is a much better chance that we can accommodate you.

Program Volunteers
Program volunteers are individuals with special skills that tie directly to our program. They are usually professionals with substantial experience in their field. Program volunteers will stay in-country between two weeks and a few months and will work with Fabretto's project staff on training, program design and development. Availability for placement is highly dependent on program needs at any one point in time. In general, program volunteers will be professionals in one the following areas:

• Arts, Crafts & Music - instruction and performance
• Teaching, - elementary or secondary level
• English as a Second Language - instruction and curriculum development
• Applied Health – doctors or nurses
• Public Health – studies and analysis, health services design
• Nutrition - meal and diet planning, bulk food purchasing and management 
• Entrepreneurship - micro-enterprise start up and management 
• Natural Resources - land, water and energy management
• Engineering and Architecture - facilities planning and construction

Fabretto will assist Program volunteers to secure lodging during their stay as needed.  If you have a special skill that is not noted above, but think you can be of service, please contact Ines Rivera, our volunteer coordinator! She will be happy to discuss options with you and determine if we can place you! Please fill out the Nicaragua Application Form in order to begin your application process.

Corps Volunteers
Corps volunteers are with Fabretto for the “long-term”. With a commitment of at least six months, but most frequently of a year or two, Fabretto will train you when necessary, and put you to work at one of our children's centers. Corps Volunteers generally work in the classroom environment, directly with the children on a daily basis. At this time we are most interested in persons to staff our English as a Second Language (ESL) program, but other opportunities may exist depending on the skill and interests of the individuals applying.

We will assit Corps volunteers with finding local housing options in the community where they are assigned to serve if Fabretto owned housing is not available.  These are unpaid positions and Corps volunteers are responsible for their in-country expenses.  One can live comfortably in Nicaragua for between $300-$400 a month and candidates should should plan to have saved for their commitment period prior to arriving in Nicaragua.  Corps Volunteers become true members of the community and live an authentic Nicaraguan existence during their stay.  Please fill out the Nicaragua Application Form in order to begin your application process.