Mandy’s El Sauce Experience

Even though my six-week experience in El Sauce, Nicaragua in the summer of 2009 happened almost two years ago, it feels like it were yesterday that I was sitting in our oficina for the first time, being handed a list of possible projects to work on, and deciding what I wanted to be involved in while there.  The programs I worked on, the people I got to know, my host family, and excursions to other parts of Nicaragua all amounted to one of the greatest experience in my life.  My time in El Sauce taught me so much about the people and culture of the area, but it also taught me a lot about myself and has helped me to focus in on what is really important in life.

Below are some highlights of programs I was involved in.

Ecotourism project:

            One program I was involved in was an ecotourism project.  I worked with the ecotourism cooperative Los Altos de Ocotal-El Sauce, which is comprised of members from Ocotal’s mountain communities of Las Minitas and Cerro Colorado.  It had recently been given a $10,000 grant in early May, 2009, from the Millennium Challenge Corporation which allowed it to have the means to really get started.

            One of the main projects I was involved in was the planting of a garden around the newly-built restaurant for the use of the ecotourism cooperative.  Before planting the garden, I met with a Peace Corps volunteer who taught me basics about plants and gardening techniques for the type of climate I would be working with.  When I attended my first cooperative meeting, we created a “garden group” of about 8 people that would be involved in designing and planting the garden.  In order to get a good idea of what to aim for with the garden, we took a trip to the city of Estelí to a restaurant called La Casita which has a beautiful, large garden surrounding it.  We got great ideas of what kinds of plants would work well and the style that would be good around our restaurant.  Then we proceeded to a nearby nursery where we purchased beautiful flowers and trees which we planted in our garden the following week.  The trip was a huge success, and afterwards, the planting process really made me close with the members of the garden group.   I felt my time with them was worthwhile and that my opinions on what plants to buy and where to plant them were definitely taken into consideration- so much so that at times the members formed an idea and proposed it to me asking specifically if I thought it was a good plan.  By the time the garden was finished being planted, the members were calling me “Amandita,” which made me feel like my opinions were truly valued and that I had been accepted into their community.

Another major part of the project that I worked on was evaluations of potential host families.  Kellan, Irene (a Peace Corps volunteer involved with the cooperative) and I walked around to potential host family houses and evaluated them based on how ready their houses were to have guests stay there.  These evaluations were not only informative for the cooperative, but they also taught me a lot about life in the mountains.  I got an up-close-and-personal view of the real living conditions of these people and was amazed by the generosity they showed despite their lack of many things which Americans consider essential to everyday life.  We then reported our findings to the cooperative at the next meeting so they could make an informed decision on which houses were most ready for tourists and would therefore be given new mattresses, pillows, blankets, and other supplies necessary for a tourist to stay comfortably.

            After about four weeks of involvement in the program, the other 7 volunteers from New York and I stayed in Ocotal with the potential host families that I had interviewed, and we basically acted as guinea pigs of a weekend stay that the cooperative planned for tourists.  We did everything a tourist would be able to do: we took a guided hike up to a great look-out point where a mariachi band serenaded us, we took a tour of a coffee farm on horse-back, we learned how to make tortillas, and we stayed with a host family.  It was one of the most amazing experiences I had in Nicaragua because I was able to see what I had been working on be put into action, not to mention getting to know the amazing host family I stayed with and their day-to-day routines. 

Yo Sí Puedo:

            Another program I was involved in was an adult literacy program called “Yo Sí Puedo.”  The “Yo Sí Puedo” program is designed for Nicaraguan adults that never had the opportunity to attend school as children because they had to work in order to help sustain their families.  It is a chance for them to become literate and learn what they would have learned in school.  For this program, I traveled every afternoon to a nearby village called San José to work in a classroom of level 2 “Yo Sí Puedo” students, which are adults learning the equivalent of about second or third grade materials.  I helped the teacher go over materials in a book provided by MinEd, the Ministry of Education, which included reading, science, and math.

Before and after class, I also had the opportunity of tutoring three different students in their homes who couldn’t make it to class because they had to watch their children or because they had to work during class time.  One of the women I tutored constantly told me how thankful she was that she was given the chance to learn and to have somebody like me to help her achieve her goals.  Her passion for learning was truly amazing, especially given her circumstances- she was a mother of three whose husband had gone to a different country to find work and would hopefully return with money to help better their family.  I really felt like I was making a difference in her life, and her thankfulness and drive made a difference in mine, teaching me to appreciate things that I often took for granted.

English Class:

            The last project that I regularly participated in was the advanced English class taught by Yacarely and Kellan.  English class was a perfect end to every day- a group of adults ages 17 and up gathered to learn English by doing fun activities, hands-on games, and singing songs that really made them practice their speaking, reading, and writing skills.  English class was so fun because of the games and funny things that were said, but also because the students were there because they truly wanted to be, and helping them to learn was very fulfilling.  They wanted nothing more than to learn English so that they could be exposed to greater opportunities in their lives, and I wanted nothing more than to see them be successful in their goals.  After 6 weeks I could really see a difference in certain students, and I also grew very close to the people in my class.  They are the people that I still keep in touch with today, even after almost two years, and I can’t wait to see them again someday.

My six weeks in El Sauce was one of the most amazing experiences in my life, and I am proud to see what has been happening since I’ve left.  I love telling people about my time there, and I can’t wait until I return some day.  I know that everyone who visits El Sauce will feel the same overwhelming sense of welcome and adventure that I did, and will leave knowing that they have found a new family in a little village in Central America.

-Amanda Sopchak

May 17, 2009 - June 27, 2009

My Experience in El Sauce - Thomas Seeger, January - February 2011

            I arrived in El Sauce on the 7^th of January, 2011. I came with a group called “Four Walls,” a small non-profit that builds houses for El Sauce’s poorest families. The people I met in Four Walls were some of the best people I have ever met. It was truly a pleasure to have gotten to know them and worked with them. We spent four days building houses and then went in a pick-up truck to Ocotal, a nearby village community situated on a mountain overlooking the coastal plane. As the pick-up truck struggled to make its way up the mountain you could notice the change in temperature and the transition from deciduous trees to pine needle forests. We spent the afternoon staring out over the distance from the top of Ocotal to Lake Managua, two volcanoes, and El Sauce down below and relaxing at the Ocotal visitors’ center. After a couple more days working on houses we went down to Las Penitas, a beach not far from Léon. On the 18^th of January I said goodbye to the four walls people and returned to El Sauce to start my work with Enlace. 

            Enlace is a not-for-profit economic development organization in El Sauce, Nicaragua. At night they teach English classes for adults, and during the day they promote some businesses and tourism to El Sauce. As an Enlace volunteer I taught an English class for kids, aged 7-11. They were great kids, very eager and enthusiastic and always wanting to play a game. They learned a lot in the short time I was there, as did I. I finished my work with Enlace on the fifteenth of January and headed back home on the 16^th.

            I’d say that some of the best times I had in El Sauce were working with Kellan and Yacarely, the directors of Enlace and teaching the children English. I also really enjoyed working with the Four Walls people. Building houses was really fun and rewarding and the new owners were extremely helpful and grateful for our work. I also enjoyed spending time after-hours at El Sauce’s bars and restaurants with the Four Walls people. Another highlight of my trip was going to Las Penitas, but the nearby towns of Léon and Matagalpa also offered exciting weekend excursions. Probably my worst experience in El Sauce was drinking a glass of unpasteurized milk and spending the whole day vomiting. But generally speaking everything else you eat is fine and at 30 cordobas ($1.50) an entrée the prices are good, and with 42 days of continuous sunshine, the weather is even better.

            I would highly recommend El Sauce. It is cheap, but not destitute. It is out of the way enough to be a genuine Nicaraguan experience, yet close enough to the other cities to offer easy access. It is not mobbed with tourists, yet there are always at least a few visitors there to meet. It’s friendly, welcoming, and very safe. I will be going there again soon.
 

 Singing the ABC Song to the Children's English Class:

  

At Cerro Negro Volcano:

Bennett Marano's Experience - Summer 2010

          We drove through what felt like a monsoon to arrive in El Sauce around midnight on May 23^rd. I remember hopping out of the van with my luggage, and walking to the door of my host family’s home with Kellan- all in a failed attempt to not get wet. My host mother, Sara, greeted me- it was clear she had been awoken from the knocking. She handed me an umbrella and walked me back to my room. She asked me a few questions, and that’s when she and I both had a similar realization: the language barrier was going to be extreme.

          I knew ZERO Spanish upon arriving in Nicaragua. After three days there I found myself constantly wondering, “What was I thinking?” I left my air-conditioned house in upstate New York for the muggy, rainy season of rural Nicaragua. I was uncomfortable, I was sweaty, and I had practically been debarked by this language barrier. In short, I realized very quickly that I was in over my head. On the fifth night I emailed home to my parents. What began as a quick “hello from Nicaragua” soon turned into a panicked letter requesting a plane ticket home. Before I could send it, however, I was interrupted by my young host siblings and their friends from across the street. I will be forever grateful for that interruption.

          Instead of sending that desperate plea of an email, I closed the Internet window and joined the kids for a game of kickball out in the street. My mood and perspective was forever impacted on that night. I have a handful of kids between the ages of four and eight to thank for that.

          My work in Nicaragua included creating promotional materials for Enlace’s “Sauce Tours”, fixing up the patio behind the office, and working to build hiking trails for the “Los Altos De Ocotal” initiative. Of these tasks, I learned the most from my time in Ocotal. Living in the mountains of Nicaragua was unlike anything I could’ve ever imagined. My photos document the beautiful sunrises, and my journal remains littered in dirt from the blind puppy who was all too excited by my offer of a granola bar. It’s those memories that made Ocotal such an amazing experience. It was tough- I’m in no way an “outdoorsy” person, but when I look back on it, I appreciate those days so much. It was a break from reality, a time to live off the grid, and reflect on my life- where I had been, and where I was going.

          Working in the English class was truly a great opportunity, as well. I’ve never interacted with such a genuinely kind group of people. Regardless of whether or not I knew their language, they welcomed myself and the other volunteers with open arms. They wanted to learn more than just our language; they wanted to know about our lifestyles, our families, and where we came from. On June 17^th, the night before my birthday, the English class surprised me with a party complete with cake, ice cream, and all the fixings. That night I remember thinking, “What lead me here?” I would’ve never expected to celebrate my 20^th birthday in a small Nicaraguan town, but I had, and I am so grateful for it.

          Our final two weeks in El Sauce flew by. Before I knew it, I was loading my luggage into the van for our trip back to the capital city. As we pulled out of town, I kept turning to face out the rear window- as if trying to get that last image of El Sauce engrained in my memory.

           It’s rare that a day goes by where I don’t find myself thinking of my six weeks in Central America. Nicaragua has taught me how small we truly are in the scheme of things, and just how much the world has to offer. I’ll be forever grateful for the people I met, and all that they have taught me.

In Front of Enlace Office:

- Bennett Morano, Summer 2010

Ernie Hinman's Experiences in El Sauce - Summer 2006

From July 6, 2006 to August 10, 2006, my colleague Kellan Morgan and I studied abroad in the city of El Sauce, Nicaragua for graduate credit through SUNY Geneseo.  However, “study” abroad cannot properly explain what we did. Our stay was part of a larger continuing project at Geneseo with one main goal in mind: the sustainable modern economic development of the city of El Sauce.  Our first role at the initial stage of the project was to improve education in the city by teaching free courses in English and Business Administration.  I taught two business courses to forty students, ranging from age fifteen to forty, for four weeks with the help of an interpreter.  When teaching, I applied my four years of business management and economics education at Geneseo into the curriculum.   

Our second more important role was to institutionalize the study abroad program to make it as easy as possible to bring more Geneseo students to teach in the future.  This involved locating a classroom, interested students, lodging, supplies, transportation, networking contacts, meal plans, and establishing a physical office for the program.  Our tasks were daunting considering that we were the first Geneseo students sent to El Sauce.  Meanwhile, living in a tropical climate where electricity and running water were available half of the time was humbling.  Teaching my students was the most fulfilling work I have done in my life thus far.  When I first arrived in Nicaragua I wondered if I had made the right decision in coming.  However, by the time I left El Sauce I was sad to leave and I wished that I could have stayed longer.

In the week before departing for law school in fall of 2006, I co-authored a fifty page paper which explained our research findings, suggested solutions for economic and social improvement, and made recommendations for establishing an externship/study abroad program at Geneseo.  The day before my first law school class, Kellan Morgan and I presented our findings to the President of Geneseo, the provost, the dean of the business school, the director of study abroad programs, several professors from different departments, and members of the local community.  The future of the program rested squarely on our shoulders.  We stressed, first and foremost, how important the program was to the well-being of El Sauce, and secondly, how important it was for future Geneseo students to experience international “service learning” before entering the workplace.  Then we urged the administration to fund the project long into the future.  My trip to Nicaragua solidified my interest in studying law. 

The experience of juggling so many tasks in a foreign environment made me an attractive candidate to law school.  In addition, the experience bolstered my confidence in taking on new tasks in law school and assists in my career as an attorney today.

Highlights:

·      Playing soccer and baseball with the local niños:

    

·      Establishing Geneseo’s first office at the Governor’s building, and interacting with the Governor of El Sauce:

    

·      Awards assembly for students:

    

·      Visiting one of Nicaragua’s beautiful sites, Laguna De Apoyo:

    

Sarah Ventre's Experience!

Six weeks in el Sauce, Nicaragua

Thinking back on my six-week visit to Nicaragua during the summer of 2009, I can vividly recall so many wonderful memories. As a pre-medical student, I came to the country with the intent to learn about the health care field in Nicaragua and assist the local medical teams if at all possible.

I soon realized that my short trip was teaching me more than just medical procedures, but also about people, their lives, and their experiences. During this time, I lived with local host families, worked at rural health posts in el Sauce, shadowed a local medical team, helped out with an English class organized by Enlace directors Yacarely and Kellan, and learned about the many other projects that Enlace has been working on, as well as their efforts for the future. In my spare time, I was able to visit a few other beautiful regions of Nicaragua, including the cities León, Managua, Masaya, and Granada, where I saw volcanoes, lakes, markets, artwork, and historical interests.

Below are anecdotes of a few of my favorite experiences…

Working at the health posts:

During my 6-week trip to el Sauce, Nicaragua, I wanted to learn about their health care field, how rural health posts operate, and how I might be able to help the doctors and nurses there, as a current pre-medicine student. I worked at the puesto de salud in los Panales, a rural area on the outskirts of el Sauce, where I shadowed and assisted a doctor and two nurses.

The first few days were a whirlwind—I was listening to diagnoses and treatments from the doctor in Spanish, learning the most commonly used medications, and quickly scribbling down some (nearly illegible) notes in my notebook, in addition to asking short questions in my unpracticed Spanish between patients. Since there were so many patients, we waited for the bus ride (an experience in itself!) to learn about each others’ lives, which was always one of my favorite parts of the day.

As the days passed, I found myself understanding more and was able to learn from the knowledgeable, hands-on approaches of the doctor. During the six weeks, I found myself making health-rated posters for the post, retrieving the prescribed medication for the patients, weighing babies and young children to make sure they are on the appropriate age-weight curve, assisting the doctor with fetal measurements, and, most importantly, interacting with the patients, their children, and the medical staff! Even with minimal Spanish conversational skills, I quickly realized how welcoming and caring everyone was. I was truly honored to have this chance to meet such interesting and warm-hearted people and learn about their lives through the medical setting.

Other medical excursions:

Some days, instead of going to the health post in Panales, I would meet up with the doctor at the health center, el centro de salud, in el Sauce, and we would grab a cooler of vaccines, a vinyl bag of medications, and hop in the bag of a pick-up truck in order to reach the villages in the even further rural outskirts of el Sauce. These days were always exciting adventures! Winding through the thin, rocky dirty roads of the backcountry, I found myself fully enjoying the lush green mountain forests, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the warm sun against my face while gripping the support pole in the back of the truck.

Sometimes the truck would bring us to a school or a family’s house, where we would stop and set up a temporary health post for the next 5 hours or so. A few times we stopped at a short line of horses, strapped the medications and vaccines onto the horse’s saddle, and rode further into the mountains. With zero horse-riding experience, I listened carefully to those with me, as the nurse yelled out instructions and poked my horse with a stick when it decided to completely stop moving! These trips were unforgettable, but perhaps the most memorable trip was en route to a rural school. That day I went with the doctor and a handful of other workers at the health center. We had plans to set a festival at the school for all the children, while innumerable patients would come to our make-shift health post in a separate building. But before we ever got there, the truck (carrying myself and about 10 other people and their supplies) got stuck in a sandy river bed that we were attempting to cross. Tow truck? Not quite. Instead two yoked oxen were tied to the front of the truck to heave us forward, while everyone else (shoes off and pants rolled up) pushed from the rear! And it worked like a charm. Thirty minutes later we arrived at the school and our day’s work began!

Daily life with my host family:

My unique and unforgettable moments did not end at the health posts. During my six weeks in el Sauce, I was very fortunate to live with and get to know my amazing host family, the energetic Ileana, her children, granddaughter, husband, his mother. Every morning before I headed off to the health posts, Ileana made me a full plate of food for breakfast. Mmm…everything was so delicious. I never imagined that plantains could be cooked in so many mouth-watering ways!

At the end of the day in the health posts, it was so relaxing to come back to Ileana’s friendly house, take a refreshing shower and lean back in the comfy rocky chairs while the rest of the house was alive with excitement: Ileana cooking another meal or practicing English with some friends from class, her 6-year-old, adorable granddaughter Frania swinging on the hammock and laughing playfully at my Spanish, or her daughter Melba also enjoying the rocking chairs.

Ocotal:

My first wonderful weekend in Ocotal Mountain was as a participant in their tourist program, established by the Enlace directors, Kellan and Yacarely, with the residents of Ocotal. The weekend program includes staying in the home of a family who lives on the mountain for two nights and receiving guided tours of the daily life for those who live and work there, including organic coffee farming, tortilla making, basket-weaving, horse-riding, and hiking! I began the weekend with a hearty dinner, followed by a hike to my home for the weekend—the house of local family of five. It was such a great learning experience to live with and get to know the family, who made a great effort to talk to me and teach me about their lives. In exchange, I scrambled with my Spanish, which was pretty comical for us all!

The next day, I woke up to several roosters crowing and a chicken that happily found its way through the window on the table of my guest room! Thankfully, Lisbet, one of the daughters, came to our rescue while I laughed at myself for getting so startled. Later that day I was guided on a horse through the mountain to another house, where I learned and participated in the extensive procedure and art of organic coffee farming, all the while sipping the freshly brewed coffee made from their very own beans!

Next, I got back on my horse and went to yet another home in Ocotal, this time with the intent to see tortilla making. This involved another extensive process that left my arms sore from using a large stone rolling pin. But it was so worth it when I ate the finished product! At the end of the day, I returned to my weekend home to relax with the family and learn about pine needle basket-weaving that many of the women in Ocotal take part in. I received my own personal presentation of the art from the other of the 2 daughters, Susana, who expertly wove me a small pine needle sombrero! That weekend I left with a mixture of newfound intrigue and appreciation for rural mountain life in el Sauce, Nicaragua.

Five Months in Five Featured Highlights

As my time in El Sauce, Nicaragua, is drawing to a close I am finding myself scrambling to finish up projects and say goodbye to students, coworkers and friends. I remember arriving January 2, 2010, with no real expectations and only a vague idea of how I might be spending my next five months with complete strangers.

Looking back now I am amazed to see how arriving with "no real expectations" transformed into writing and designing promotional materials, developing a website (and now a blog), building trails in the beautiful mountains of Ocotal, teaching English and computer classes, painting numerous signs, being a part of countless planning and action meetings for the NGO Enlace...and believe me...the list goes on.

With direction and council from the intelligent Kellan Morgan and the "eager beaver" Yacarely Mairena, my "vague idea" of what I could do to help out here in El Sauce exploded into unforgettable experiences and exciting projects. I truly will miss everything about this place (...except maybe the heat!).

With that said, here are Five highlights from my Five months!

Highlight 1:
Ocotal


I had the privilege of spending my first to weeks in Nicaragua working on building trails in the remote, mountainous region of Ocotal. One of Enlace's current projects is bringing rural tourism to this area. A guest center and kitchen have been built, casa huespedes have been equipped for tourists to live with traditional families if they prefer and we are in the process of digging a well for the guest center.

I chose to spend my time hacking away at the mountains with a pick-axe and chopping down weeds and branches with a machete to create three new trails with breathtaking views. I was privileged enough to live with two amazing families: That of Don Mauricio and Emiliano (not to mention the food was delicious and the kids are Frisbee naturals!).

Since those first two weeks I have returned numerous times to Ocotal. Sometimes for meetings with the tourism cooperative in Ocotal or Fuente de Pino (a group of women who make beautifully hand-crafted pine needle baskets) and for more trail work. I always look forward to the next visit. Dona Pricilla's toasted tortillas, Emiliano's crazy hand motions because he thinks I speak no Spanish, Marco and Mercedes with the Frisbee, playing Slap jack with Lucia, Maria Elena and her son Sergio helping us out with events at the Ranchon, crazy adventures with Don Mauricio in the forest chasing after his dog and anteaters...Fran and Richard doing team building exercises with the women of Cerro Colorado...you simply must experience this place and these people.



Highlight 2:
The Office


Where I have spent the majority of my time...this lovely blue and white, former liberal party headquarters, with its decaying balconies and pigeon infested attic...I call it my second home.

With wireless Internet, the most reliable source of water in all of El Sauce and a FRUIT stand right out front where I can buy a pineapple for 75 cents and a dozen of bananas for 50 cents...not to mention I moved in right next door so it is in a quite convenient location...I'd say it's worth putting up with the pigeons.

Yaci and Kellan (founders of Enlace) thankfully had enough confidence to entrust many responsibilities to me. My office work included (but most certainly was not limited to), designing brochures, posters and other promotional materials for current programs, painting many signs to let people know what our office is all about, creating a website and more.



We put on a few events during my stay to promote programs and raise money and awareness. One of these was a bike raffle on Valentine's Day (Dia de Amor y Amistad) with the most delicious soup ever.









Highlight 3:
English Class


One of the things I most enjoyed about being in Nicaragua for five months was helping teach and prepare materials for the English class. Every single student has such a unique personality and eagerness to learn English. Not only were they learning English, but I was learning Spanish in the process! Great students as well as teachers.

I also learned that I actually enjoy teaching...at least in this kind of classroom! Constant and active participation and speaking is the key to learning here. I heard some enlightening presentations, watched some hilarious skits and played some silly games with these guys--All the while learning English! Who ever said learning can't be fun.

Here, I found what I'm sure will be some life-long friends.



Highlight 4:
Life in El Sauce


During my stay in El Sauce, I lived with two different host families, each for one month, and then moved into a house with my good friend and co-worker Yaci.

Ileana was my first host mother. Her house was gorgeous. High ceilings, beautiful courtyard garden and a restaurant in the front. Her and her family were more than welcoming and I felt like family immediately. Not to mention that Ileana is probably the best cook in all of Nicaragua.

I lived with Sonja and Alberto, an elderly couple, and their son Marlon for the month of February. I even had my own bathroom at their house! Sonja has the greatest sense of humor and Alberto made sure I never went hungry.

After the first two months passed, I had gotten to know other people in El Sauce more and decided to move in with a friend. Although I couldn't come home to a great meal anymore and instead had to cook my own food now...I loved living on my own as well.



Being here working with Enlace, I met numerous Peace Corps volunteers who had been placed in or around the El Sauce region as well. I was able to help out with building about eight Hornos Mejorados, new and improved ovens, for families in the area.

22 years old and I still enjoy playing in the mud.








I met some very talented people though English Class. One of these students is in a band and I had the privilege of singing and playing guitar with them at an event to raise money for Haiti after the recent earthquake.

There are many opportunities for involvement in the community and to meet more people--two things which I often look forward to most about trips.




Highlight 5:
Exploring Nicaragua


What isn't there to do in this country?!

Volcano boarding, museums, hiking, volcanoes, beaches, boats, islands, monkeys, cathedrals, canyons, rivers, butterfly farms, artisania markets, BAKERIES!, lagoons...do you want me to keep going? Believe me. There is much more.

I hiked Volcan Telica with some friends. The total hike took us about seven and a half hours. Actually hiking TO the volcano was much longer than the actual vertical assent. It was incredible to look down inside an active volcano!

And getting home was interesting as well. I guess you can't always rely on the public transportation! Our bus passed right by us so we hitched a ride with the first truck who stopped for us. Conveniently, also headed to El Sauce!



The ocean beaches were absolutely amazing as well. I spent many weekends at the ocean swimming and playing Frisbee. I also visited several lagoons with beautiful, clear swimming water as well.

During my last month in Nicaragua I took a week off and went on a 75 mile canoe trip with friends down the Rio San Juan. We saw crocodiles, monkeys, toucans, iguanas, fresh water sharks(!!) and more. We ended in the Atlantic Ocean and went on some tours in San Juan del Norte.





















If you are at ALL considering visiting Nicaragua, volunteering in Nicaragua...or anything else...I highly suggest El Sauce...if not at least stopping in for part of your trip! It has truly been a life-changing experience for me, as I'm sure it would be for you.

And I fully intend on returning to El Sauce in the future.

--Samantha Durfee
January 2, 2010-May 24, 2010