A Journey of Continued Impact: Empowering Rural Communities with Surf For Life and Waves of Hope
We are once again uniting with Waves of Hope to embark on a transformational venture to the coastal communities surrounding El Manzano #1 in northern Nicaragua. Building upon the remarkable collaboration between Waves of Hope and Surf For Life, our unwavering mission is to extend our commitment to local education, health and infrastructure. Our focus remains steadfast on the High School and elementary schools that have already benefited from our collective efforts.
We are poised to engage in a spectrum of meaningful projects, encompassing essential infrastructure enhancements, necessary maintenance, creative improvements, and fostering an environment conducive to learning. Through our actions, we aim to nurture an atmosphere where students can thrive and the community can take pride in its educational institutions.
As we step foot into this enchanting coastal realm, our home will be Coco Loco Eco-Resort. Nestled within nature's embrace, this eco-conscious sanctuary aligns seamlessly with our ethos of sustainable living and community engagement. Cozy and comfortable, the palm roof cabanas sit amongst a variety of tropical flowers, coconuts and other fruit trees, offering a serene haven for reflection and rejuvenation. The open air yoga studio, restaurant and pool area allows volunteers to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Coco Loco both before and after a hard day’s work at the local schools.
The community of El Manzano #1 has a relatively short but interesting history. First settled in the 1950s as an area for the Samoza dictatorship to grow cotton, the principal industries are now fishing, farming and tourism. While it is still a very rural and quaint area, tourism has helped the area to become more established with better infrastructure and safer employment opportunities.
With consistent and fun waves for all levels of surf, the area has become an off the beaten path surf destination. The beautiful beaches, pristine mangroves, friendly community and natural wildlife offers adventure and charm.
While our primary mission centers around educational advancement, our journey is multi-faceted. With a deep commitment to holistic engagement, we are dedicated to fostering connections and forging lasting relationships. Interactive sessions with students, dynamic extracurricular activities, and cultural exchanges will infuse our expedition with vibrancy, ensuring our impact resonates far beyond the projects themselves.
Waves of Hope is the cornerstone of this transformative initiative. With a commitment to community-driven change, they have spearheaded meaningful projects that resonate with the soul of the surrounding communities. Our collective efforts will build upon this, fostering progress and empowerment.
Find out more at www.waves-of-hope.com and www.cocolocoecoresort.com.
We will be staying at Coco Loco Eco Resort.
the majority of your trip fee is a direct donation to bring this community project to life; you will receive a donation acknowledgment letter for your tax records
7 nights accommodation at CocoLoco EcoResort
breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, supporting locally run businesses
in country Waves of Hope and SFL leads
daily transport to and from worksite & activities
shared shuttle to/from Managua on arrival days
in addition to the daily activities at Coco Loco, volunteers will be able to book additional surf lessons, volcano hikes, horseback riding, boat or fishing tours, massages, rum factory tours and more
daily classes in ocean view yoga platform
to/from your home country and Managua, Nicaragua
Medical/Emergency/Travel Insurance
Alcohol, Snacks, Drinks outside of meal time
Additional surfboard rental beyond initial surf lesson
Please note this is a sample itinerary of day to day activities; our actual itinerary might change according to needs of the community, weather, etc.
Day 1 (Saturday):
● Arrival in El Manzano #1
● Welcome, itinerary overview & group dinner
Day 2 (Sunday):
● Morning: Group surf lesson
● Afternoon: Community Service Project Orientation, yoga
● Sunset Optional Surf and Group Dinner
Day 3 (Monday):
● Morning: Optional Early Surf and Community Service Project
● Afternoon Activities- Yoga, Chocolate making class
● Sunset Optional Surf and Group Dinner
Day 4 (Tuesday):
● Morning: Optional Early Surf and Community Service Project
● Afternoon: Kickball with local Women's Team, yoga
● Sunset Optional Surf and Group Dinner
Day 5 (Wednesday):
● Morning: Optional Early Surf and Community Service Project
● Afternoon: Free time, Volcano Experience, Leon tour, Flor de Caña tour, etc.
● Sunset and Optional Surf and Group Dinner
Day 6 (Thursday):
● Morning: Optional Early Surf and Community Service Project
● Afternoon: Help with Local English Classes, yoga
● Sunset Optional Surf and Group Dinner
Day 7 (Friday):
● Optional surf, yoga
● Mangrove Boat Tour/Snorkeling
● Sunset Surf and Final Group Dinner
Day 8 (Saturday):
● Shuttle Transport back to Managua, Nicaragua