We have made the commitment and investment to allow everyone to enjoy the beauties of Ometepe and to participate in our mission for sustainable and responsible living. The restaurant/sitting area has ramped access as do the rooms on the second floor (even if you are not staying up here, the view of the lake is beautiful and it's a great place to read). For the day visitor or dorm user, there is a communal bathroom, shower, and sink designed for easy wheelchair use.
Ometepe Bilingual School
In the summer of 2007 we started a small, free English language school in the rural community of Mérida, located on the south-western side of the island at the foot of the majestic Volcán Maderas. It is a before and after-school program which the children attend on their own initiative, in addition to their five-hour days at the public school. This makes them a curious and motivated crowd!
The school also provides healthy oatmeal and granola porridge for all of the kids after the classes. Methods of teaching include bilingual card games, movies, text and grammar book activities, singing, and field trips!
There are 40 to 50 students between 5 and 18 years of age. The older students are at a basic conversational level of English at this point. The school is highly influenced by the many nationalities of the guests and the many foreign student groups that frequently stay at Hacienda Mérida.
We are looking for volunteers to teach English to local grade school and high school children
The Job
Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 2 weeks.
- The fee for 2 weeks in the program is US$200, payable on arrival.
- Volunteers receive accommodation and food either with a local family, or in the dormitories at Hacienda Mérida.
- Volunteers staying at the Hacienda must independently pay for anything they consume beyond 3 meals a day and water. Tips for workers will be tabulated and charged at the end of your stay (10% of your total bill).
- Volunteers will have three two-hour classes of 10-15 students (9am-11am, 2pm-4pm and 5pm-7pm) Monday through Friday and one class Saturday morning (9am-11am).
- Within working hours volunteers are encouraged to do marketing, fund-raising or figuring out how to strengthen the program.
- Laptops and high speed internet are available to the teachers and students, free of charge for school purposes.
- Tourists and organized volunteer groups are welcome to participateteaching one on one pronunciation or tutoring one on one. They will have to pay the full fare of the Hotel services. The benefits (subsidized food and lodging) of the opportunity is set up for individuals and not for organized groups.
- There are many qualified applicants, so we are not interested in participants who simply want to extend their vacation.
Ability to speak Spanish is not a requirement, but it's a valuable asset.
Become a fan of our school on Facebook!
Blog of Jeannie Piekarz, one of our teacher volunteers
More information: http://www.hmerida.com/en
Other Projects
- Medical Missions
- Ometepe Bilingual School