1. Mid-Semester Module 2012

2. ¡Bienvenidos a Nicaragua! Our stops – Jinotega (Los Robles), Managua, San Juan del Sur, Granada Nicaraguan partners (Comunidad Connect) Several Issue Areas – sustainability and business development, women’s cooperatives, economics of coffee Cultural and social elements Impacts Classroom pre-work – development, social entrepreneurship, cooperatives, coffee industry – 4 hours total (plus preparation)

3. Our Stops …

4. Comunidad Connect Partnership Our Hosts – Jon, Mara and Dariel Three areas of operation – Sports programs – Recycling programs – Voluntourism programs Aided by our local partner, students are exposed to the many development challenges faced in the region. They also connect with several (nonprofit and for-profit) organizations that are dedicated to addressing these challenges.

5. Sustainability and Business Development

6. Women’s Cooperatives Introduction to several cooperatives (e.g., baskets, jams and soaps) Service component (English class) Pine Basket Cooperative

7. Economics of Coffee Site Visits to – Finca El Peten – local Beneficio – Finca La Bastilla

8. Cultural & Social Folk Dancing at El Timon Cooking lesson Finca Las Nubes BBQ Other activities – e.g., sailing? fishing? surfing? canopy tour? Granada (day trip plus overnight)

9. Economic (spending all our $$ with locals) Cultural (homestays) Community projects – Service project in Los Robles (coffee farm) – School plantings in San Juan del Sur – Los Pepitos school visit Our Impacts Last year, we donated several new roofs to residents in Los Robles. In 2010, we donated an eco-stove to a woman in Jinotega

10. Details Saturday, March 3 to Monday, March 12 Estimated Cost – Ground costs, including all meals (~$1,800) – Airfare (~$700-800) – Personal spending (~$150-$250) Lodging – eco-lodge (Los Robles) – hotels (Managua, Granada) – homestays (SJdS) Language Requirements (minimal to proficient)

11. Questions?