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.
Volunteering at the CICO Preschool Center
CICO Centro Infantil Comunitario de Merida, Maderas Volcano, Ometepe Island
The Ometepe Foundation is involved in helping the only CICO in the Maderas Volcano by providing Oatmeal, Granola and sugar for the children. The tourists that visit the center donate the powder milk. We also promote donations for the center. In the future we will share our experience with Finca Magdalena in Balgue so we can encourage them to organize a pre-school center and get tourist involved in the project. Funding for the food that is provided come from Hacienda Merida.
It is open from 8:00AM TO 11:00AM Monday to Friday. You can visit the center for just 1 or 2 hours in the morning and help the mothers they by preparing breakfast and talking to the children. The school has most modern facilities including running water, sanitation, a large kitchen, an area for infants, a classroom and a playground. The children have access to a wide variety of toys and learning aids. The school itself is clean, well maintained and organized by the mothers and is funded with the aid of donation only.
To volunteer at the center you should take a donation which ranges from powered milk, oatmeal, granola and sugar (which can be brought easily from the store next to the hostel) to learning aids and teaching equipments. It involves a 5 minutes walk to the school and using the kitchen to make porridge for the children and mothers. After being warmly greeted by everyone there, you will prepare the breakfast and dishes, then serve the food in the classroom. After breakfast the children play in the playground where you can become actively involved in their day.
They don’t have many material things but are very content and happy in their environment. Both the children and mothers alike will be welcoming and grateful of your presence.
Remember that children don’t bite (well most of them) and even with the most basic Spanish skills it’s easy to communicate and feel at home here. Remember that your donation or helps make a real difference…and remember to leave the kitchen as you found it.
Contact the staff in Hacienda Merida the day before so thing can be organized with the Center.
Other Projects
- Howler’s Journey Storybook
- Migratory Birds Project
- Volunteering at the CICO Preschool Center