La Isla Foundation
Website: www.laislafoundation.org
Facebook: laislafoundation
E-mail: cgdemps@gmail.com
Phone: Colin Dempsey: +505 2315 1261
Who they are
La Isla Foundation is an NGO/NPO created to facilitate finding the cause of a Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) epidemic affecting sugarcane workers in 5 agro-dependent communities located in Chichigalpa, Nicaragua.
What they do
They run projects in the hardest struck community named La Isla to help them develop skills to financially support themselves with jobs away from the sugarcane plantation that the families currently depend.
They are public health advocates and are facilitating the epidemiology research to find the cause of the CKD epidemic.
They hold adult & children’s English classes, adult computer class, children’s arts & English club.
They have helped create an 11 women cooperative teaching the skill of sewing t-shirts and a variety of bags. They distribute clothing donations to the community, and support them as an organisation working for a variety of rights.
What they offer
They offer trips to visit the La Isla community, cultural & historical trips in and around Leon, and educational, adventure tours around the occidental Nicaragua providing insights into eco-friendly habitations and farming while experiencing volcanoes, cloud forests, and the Pacific coastline.
They also offer a Spanish school, home stays, and the opportunity for students to complete field studies and volunteers to work in 13 different positions.
Day 1: Managua airport / Playa Las Peñitas
The first night will be spent in the fishing community of Las Peñitas. This town borders the mangrove reserve of Isla Juan Venado, where a protected mangrove ecosystem is complimented by several miles of remote Pacific beaches.
Day 2: Playa Las Peñitas / León / La Isla
After exploring the mangrove forest in the morning, participants will attend a presentation on industrial agriculture given by a professor from UNAN-Leon. You will then meet with community members from La Isla and learn about the struggles they face. The evening will be spent with a host family.
Day 3: La Isla / Tisey
You will visit various places around La Isla, including the health clinic and sugar cane plantation, and will have the opportunity to speak with local experts on the issues affecting the community. Afterwards you will depart for the Tisey-Estanzuela Nature Reserve.
Day 4: Tisey
Local guides will tour the group through the cooperative’s sustainable farming operation. We will take time for a wonderful hike, relax at a waterfall, and enjoy the sunset from a magnificent vantage point. After dinner, leaders of the community will present a history of the cooperative.
Day 5: Tisey / Miraflor
On the way to Miraflor Nature Reserve, participants will view stunning rock sculptures and hear the remarkable story of 74-year old Alberto Gutierrez. After settling into cabins at Miraflor, you will learn the history of the cooperative and enjoy Nicaraguan folklore and music of the Revolution.
Day 6: Miraflor
You will do a morning hike through the cloud forest learning about the flora and fauna, folklore, and historical sites. After lunch participants can visit nearby places of interest, explore the area by horseback, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Day 7: Miraflor / airport
Depart for the airport after breakfast.
Price per participant, for a group of FIVE participants : $795 USD
Price includes: all meals, transportation (in an air-conditioned van), accommodation in rooms of 2 to 4, guide (fluent in English & Spanish), presentations and workshops from our partners.
Price does not include: airfare & airport taxes, price for entry in the country ($10 USD), participants’ extras for food and personal purchase.
Price depends on the number of participants and duration of the trip. Any modifications in trip duration or locations visited will affect the price.
Day 1: Managua airport / Playa Las Penitas
The first night will be spent at the beach, in a local resort.
Day 2: Playa Las Penitas / León
After an exploration of the mangrove forest and some relaxing time on the deserted beach, participants will attend a conference about industrial agriculture, given by a professor from UNAN Leon, in the university’s headquarters. Evening and night will be spent in lively Leon.
Day 3: León / La Isla
The whole day will be dedicated to meeting with the community of La Isla, affected by the CRI epidemic. This can be done under the shape of free talks, with testimonies from the widows, but also through an activity prepared in anticipation by the participants (to be discussed before the trip).
Day 4: La Isla / Tisey
Participants will visit various places related to the affected communities and exchange with local experts. They will then depart for the Tisey-Estanzuela Nature Reserve. While sharing their experiences of La Isla, they will get a typical Nicaraguan dinner.
Day 5: Tisey
Their local guide will lead the group through the cooperative’s various activities. The rest of the day will be dedicated to a wonderful hike, relaxing at the waterfall and watching the sunset from a magnificent view point. After dinner, they will hear about the history of the cooperative from the local priest.
Day 6: Tisey / Miraflor
On the way to Miraflor natural reserve, participants will be able to admire the rock sculptures of 74-year-old Alberto Guttierez. Once arrived in Miraflor and after settling in their cabins, they will get information about the history of the cooperative.
Day 7: Miraflor
Participants will go on a tour through the forest highlighting the fauna & flora, folkloric legends and historical sites. In the afternoon, they will get several options to visit or they can just relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Day 8: Miraflor / Yucul
The group will head up to the mountains to La Finca Esperanza verde, a paradise located at 1200m of altitude. After setting in their ecolodges, participants will be able to walk around, admire the beautiful sunset and get a delicious dinner.
Day 9: Yucul / Granada
Depending on the participants’ desires, a few options will be proposed, such as a tour through the fauna & flora, a training on how to make typical Nicaraguan food, or a picnic at the canyons. The group will then depart to Granada, where they will spend the evening and the night.
Day 10: Granada / Isla Zapatera
The participants will discover this unique island through a tour organized in cooperation with a cooperative of men and women who settled there after escaping the violence of the Nicaraguan revolution. The programme includes a boat ride to the island, an explanation on its history, a delicious lunch with a wonderful view on the Mombacho volcano, as well as some relaxing time swimming in the lake Nicaragua.
Day 11: Isla Zapatera / Mombacho volcano natural reserve
The morning will be dedicated to a fantastic hike on the Zapatera island, before going back towards Granada and enjoying a night tour of the Mombacho volcano. Night will be spent on the spot.
Day 12: Mombacho / airport
Depending on the time of the return flight, participants will go on a day-tour around Mombacho volcano after breakfast, and will then head to the airport for their return flight.
Price per participant, for a group of 10 participants : $1195 USD
Price includes: all meals, transportation (in an air-conditioned van), accommodation in rooms of 2 to 4, guide (fluent in English & Spanish), presentations and workshops from our partners.
Price does not include: airfare & airport taxes, price for entry in the country (US$ 10), participants’ extras for food and personal purchase.
Price depends on the number of participants and duration of the trip. Any modifications in trip duration or locations visited will affect the price.
Day 1: Managua airport / Playa Las Peñitas
The first night will be spent in the fishing community of Las Peñitas. This town borders the mangrove reserve of Isla Juan Venado, where a protected mangrove ecosystem is complimented by several miles of remote Pacific beaches.
Day 2: Playa Las Peñitas / León / La Isla
After exploring the mangrove forest in the morning, participants will attend a presentation on industrial agriculture given by a professor from UNAN-Leon. You will then meet with community members from La Isla and learn about the struggles they face. The evening will be spent with a host family in La Isla.
Day 3: La Isla / Granada
You will visit various places around La Isla, including the health clinic and sugar cane plantation. You will also have the opportunity to speak with local experts on the issues affecting the community. Afterwards you will depart for Granada, where you will spend the night.
Day 4: Isla Zapatera
You will ride a boat in the morning, heading towards Isla Zapatera. After a meeting with the community’s cooperative and a tour of the petroglyphs, the rest of the day will be free to explore the island, bathe in the lake and admire the view. Night on the island, you will sleep in cabins or hammocks.
Day 5: Isla Zapatera / Reserva natural Mombacho
You will depart from the island late morning and head towards the natural reserve of the Mombacho volcano. After a hike to the crater, you will relax during dinner before going on a night frog hunt.
Day 6: Laguna de Apoyo
This is a chill-out day. You will experience a canopee tour, followed by some relaxing and fun time at Lago de Apoyo.
Day 7: Granada / Isla Ometepe
You will depart late morning to Isla Ometepe on a boat ride. Upon arrival to the island and transfer to the eco-lodge, the rest of the day will be free, for the participants to get their own first taste of this magical island.
Day 8: Isla Ometepe – Totoco community project
You will visit Totoco community projects and get a cultural tour of the island. After lunch there, you will go to the ecological farm El Porvenir. After seeing their petroglyphs and relaxing, you can enjoy organic homemade Italian pizzas in the middle of the jungle for dinner.
Day 9: Isla Ometepe – volcano Maderas
Get ready for the 7-hour hike of your life!
Day 10: Isla Ometepe – Ojo de Agua y Playa Santo Domingo
This is another chill-out day. You will bathe in natural waters and in the ocean on a deserted beach. A vegetarian lunch will be taken at one of the beach canteens.
Day 11: Isla Ometepe – Proyecto Fundacion Entre Volcanes
You will visit the foundation’s community development projects. The night will be spent with a host family in the community.
Day 12: Isla Ometepe – Proyecto Bona Fide
You will spend the morning and lunchtime with the Bona Fide team to learn more about their agricultural projects for organic, more diverse food production. You will then go on a kayak tour on the San Juan river. You will spend the night in beautiful little cabins overlooking the lake.
Day 13: Isla Ometepe/ Rivas
Their local guide will take you on a hike to beautiful waterfalls. Lunch will be served in a typical family canteen. You will then depart for the ferry back to the mainland. Night spent in Rivas.
Day 14: Rivas / Managua
Departure to the airport.
Price per participant, for a group of 10 participants : $1255 USD
Price includes: all meals, transportation (in an air-conditioned van), accommodation in rooms of 2 to 4, guide (fluent in English & Spanish), presentations and workshops from our partners.
Price does not include: airfare & airport taxes, price for entry in the country (US$ 10), participants’ extras for food and personal purchase.
Price depends on the number of participants and duration of the trip. Any modifications in trip duration or locations visited will affect the price.
Location
From La Perla Hotel 1/2 block to the North, 30 meters West, León, Nicaragua
“Del hotel La Perla media cuadra al Norte, 30 metros al Oeste, León, Nicaragua”
Tell a taxi driver to take you to the address listed above. To travel from their base to the community of La Isla where they work, it takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes via bus and taxi.
What to bring
- Hat
- Sun cream
- Insect repellent
- Good walking shoes
Accommodation & Amenities
They recommend that travellers or volunteers stay at their base, but spend a couple nights with a family within the community. At their base, they offer both dormitory and private rooms. They also offer homestays in the city of Leon, not far from their base.
Fully functioning, healthy water and sanitation facilities. A private flush toilet and cold shower. Cold showers are generally welcomed in this hot city.
There is electricity
Local/International. They do not offer food as an organisation but can lead travellers and volunteers to a large variety of restaurants and markets. Vegetarians can thrive on the variety of fruits and vegetables.
Volunteer Programs – the only cost is that the volunteer supports him or herself. There is no fee to volunteer with us. We just appreciate the help. Trips in and around Leon: USD $8-12. Adventure Travel: $795-$1295
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I worked with La Isla Foundation summer 2011 and had an incredible experience. What sets La Isla Foundation apart is how different each and every one of its employees is. And it’s those differences that create such a wonderful work & play environment. It is intensely refreshing to see such a diverse group of people work so wonderfully together to fight for a common cause–and a good one at that.
I predicted my summer in Nicaragua to be an adventure of a lifetime. Now, brace yourself for this shocker: that’s exactly what it was. If you’re looking for an eye-opening and potentially life-changing experience, look no further.
In August 2011 I worked as a volunteer at La Isla Foundation. I had a wonderful and inspiring time, although it could be shocking to see the sorrow. But it is amazing to see that –apart from their distress- the people from the west coast of Nicaragua try to enjoy their lifes. I participated in different activities like Kid´s Club, Kid´s English Classes, Health Classes and Community Organising. Every day was different than the one before, we got to know new places in Nicaragua, we met people from the community, we heard about their destinies, we explored what it means to live in a third world country and we saw a way of living which is so different to our one.
Amazing organisation – completely passionate and directly connected to the local community. I spent a couple of months working with Jason and his crew in Leon. Even partook in some salsa lessons, which I can highly recommend. This is an organisation which is both facilitating action locally and looking to the bigger structural injustices which created the problem. I can highly recommend dropping by…or going out of your way to visit.
Had some wonderful spanish classes. Excellent tutor!
This is a great place to drop in and get some info on Leon and area. Everyone is friendly and helpful. We recommend this place.