Volunteer trips are designed to encourage VISEDAL scholars in their studies and to celebrate their accomplishments in and out of school. By spending time with VISEDAL children, team members affirm the scholars' decision to leave the streets and return to school.
Activities
VISEDAL staff plan activities that foster positive interaction between team members and VISEDAL scholars. Examples include day trips to local attractions, community service activities, parties in a local park, meals, and birthday or Christmas parties. Other activities, such as school and home visits, give team members a better understanding of how VISEDAL scholars live and the struggles they face on a daily basis. Team members will also have a chance to reflect on their experiences during nightly group discussions.
Summer 2013 Volunteer Trip Highlights
This video about our Summer 2013 Volunteer Trip gives a wonderful picture of what our trips are all about. Come join in the fun! Video credit: 2013 Summer Intern Taylor Stephens
Who Should Go?
Everyone! VISEDAL trips give team members amazing opportunities to give hope and encouragement to our scholars. Those simply looking to bring a smile to a child’s face while broadening their understanding of how others live around the world are welcome. Knowledge of Spanish is not required.
Spirituality on Trips
VISEDAL is not affiliated with a religious organization; however, VISEDAL is founded on the Christian faith. During nightly meetings, trip leaders will discuss life lessons we learn from our experiences in Nicaragua, including ways that faith plays a role in our lives and relationships. There will also be optional reflective questions related to the role of faith in our lives that team members are invited to consider in their free time. People from all types of faith, or no faith, are welcome to attend volunteer trips. VISEDAL prioritizes making all team members feel comfortable and accepted.
We have indefinitely suspended our volunteer trips due to the spread of the Zika virus. We are continuing to monitor developments in Nicaragua and will provide updates as appropriate.
What Do Our Volunteers Think?
Meredith writes:
"Returning to Managua with VISEDAL Partnership for a second time confirmed my belief that every human is connected and we are meant to help each other. While poverty and suffering are large parts of life and often a large theme in Nicaragua, VISEDAL is able to teach the children and the team members how to be servants of the Lord and how to find joy in everyday life."
Our scholars leading a food distribution activity during one of our volunteer trips.