Why Pay to Volunteer with VAYA?

Why Pay to Volunteer?

VAYA does not charge our clients to volunteer whatsoever. Our costs and fees are all associated with our all-inclusive travel package. This includes airport pick-up and transportation, accommodations, three meals a day, 24/7 in-country support, history and walking tour, informational packet, and volunteer training.  Any and all volunteer placement and work is absolutely free - as it should be!

What Volunteers Receive Pre-Trip!

Our volunteers are prepared for their volunteer experience!

Pre-volunteering training and education is provided. Volunteers are sent a pre-departure packet that contains important information about our program, travel requirements, packing list, travel tips and information about Nicaragua. 

What Volunteers Receive Pre-Volunteering! 

On-site orientation including a briefing of the city, explanation of volunteer requirements, safety / health advice, and cultural / historical facts. 

Free walking tour that visits important sites in the city and practical places you’ll need to know (ATMs, pharmacies, supermarkets, etc.). Entrance into the Matagalpa Museum with exhibited about the history of Matagalpa and the coffee industry.  

Your volunteer experience will be organized and impactful! VAYA provides you with all the materials and support you’ll need to teach fun, educational lessons. 

VAYA provides teaching tips and strategies, a teaching journal containing previous lessons the class has had and continual support along the way. We are with you in every lesson to assist. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have any teaching experience.You may opt for a day of assisting with the class before you teach in order to get acquainted with the students and familiarize yourself with the materials. 

What Volunteers Receive Throughout the Trip! 

VAYA is concerned for our volunteers’ safety and well-being. We realistically prepare you for your trip! We have first aid on site and our staff is trained in basic first aid.

We are in contact with excellent clinics and doctors in town as well as helpful pharmacies that can get you what you need. 

A member of VAYA staff is in contact with the volunteers at all times. We know where our volunteers are at and when to expect them back.  We know that traveling to a foreign country can be scary. We provide the peace of mind for you and your family that can take a lot of the stress out of traveling.

Our staff is available 24/7 to your family members back home in the case of an emergency or just to maintain contact. 

VAYA maintains contacts all over Matagalpa and throughout the country. We can help organize reliable, trustworthy transportation, Spanish classes and reservations for hotels and tours. 

At the end of your trip you will have a final meeting with the directors to receive your letter of recommendation and certificate of completion. During this time you can provide feedback about the program and suggestions to help us continue to improve our program. You can reflect on your experience and evaluate your work and impact you made in the students’ lives. 

Experience the rewards you will feel after stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something so challenging and worthwhile!