Program Photographs - Slide show - Application
Central America Program, El Salvador and Nicaragua
The Central America program is eight months long, from August 24th to April 30th. The program starts in El Salvador, where participants will learn about the current political climate while learning Spanish and living in rural communities. The group will then move to Nicaragua to volunteer on local grassroots urban projects. Throughout the experience, participants will have the opportunity to learn about how Canada and Central America are connected economically and politically. This year the trip will focus in part on the impact of mining. The program includes a month of preparation prior to leaving, and one month debriefing when you return. The program cost is $6800, which includes your flight, visa, food, in-country travel, accommodation, and program costs in Canada, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Preparation
A five week preparation period will be held in Ontario before the group departs. Workshops throughout the month are focused on community building among group members, articulating personal and group goals, developing consensus decision making and conflict resolution skills, working with the urban poor in Canada, learning about the history, politics, economics and cultures of El Salvador and Central America, enhancing awareness and analysis of poverty and injustice, and preparing both mentally and physically to live cross-culturally. The group will also spend time on a canoe/hiking trip in Algonquin Park to have time to be challenged and know each other better.
Language and Immersion Living
After the five week preparation period in Ontario, the group will have a month of language training in Sal Salvador, El Salvador. During their time in the capital city, participants will live with host families and work with a local contact to prepare for the rural placement that follows.
The rural placement is seven weeks long and participants will be living with families in small villages in areas devastated by the civil war and natural disasters. Participants will join their host families in day-to-day life activities and may participate in ongoing community projects.
Project Work
Leaving El Salvador, the group will travel to Nicaragua. Here the group will experience seven weeks of living with families in the barrios of the capital city, Managua, working on local urban projects, and witnessing the effects of structural adjustment policies and the reality of urban poverty.
Debriefing
This is a very important element of the program. Four weeks will be spent in Ontario reflecting on and processing what has been learned and experienced. This includes guided reflection and sharing, evaluating personal and group goals, and sharing insights and perspectives gained through presentations to schools, colleges and other groups.
Finances
It is the responsibility of participants to fundraise the costs for the program. One World is registered as a charitable organization and can issue tax reciepts for donations. Many past participants have been able to fundraise all or part of their program fees. The program all receives grants from the Basilian Human Development Fund, and there is a possibility of financial assistance being provided for those most in need. For information on our subsidy program, please click here.
For more information, or to speak with past program participants, please contact us:
One World Global Education Program
314 B Paisley Rd
Guelph, Ontario N1H 2P9
Tel: 519-837-1636
Email: programs@oneworlded.com
Program Photographs - Slide show - Application