The Compañeros Experience...
A number of opportunities are offered for individuals and groups to live and work alongside grassroots organizations in Central America. These short–term programs provide participants with opportunities to be of constructive service while learning cross-culturally, and gaining valuable study, work or faith-related experience.
All programs are mindful of local initiatives and designed to encourage personal growth, community development, global education, and spiritual inspiration by bringing people together to live, work, and interact with one another in a safe, challenging and cooperative way.
How long has Compañeros been around?
Compañeros Inc was founded in 2001. Since 1993 Gonzalo has facilitated 30 plus groups involving 350 participants in service learning programs in Canada, the United States, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Since 1977 he has personally traveled, studied, or volunteered in 25 countries on 4 continents.
How are participants selected?
For the most part, the programs are self-selecting. By requiring a registration form, reference person and deposit its ensured that participants are well matched to the philosophy and practice of the program.
How are participants prepared?
Prior to departure participants receive logistical information, background resources, and preparation support by email, mail, phone, and, where possible, in-person meetings. Each participant gets:
- Pre-Departure Handbook
- Fundraising Guide
- Spanish Phrasebook
- Country Briefing Book
- In-Country Journal
- Post-Trip Manual
Why do participants pay to serve and learn?
The program fee that participants pay covers ground transportation, accommodation, meals, excursions, and all group and program coordination and resources before and during the in-country experience. About 50% of a participants overall costs are in air and insurance related costs, while about 25% goes to in-country expenses, and 25% to organization and facilitation costs. Compañeros is a for-profit ethical enterprise that takes pride in paying its service providers and partners in Nicaragua and Guatemala fairly and generously.
Can participants fundraise?
Yes. Please obtain consent to use Compañeros or any host partners' name in fundraising efforts. Financial aid is not available, sorry.
Can past participants be contacted?
Yes, some of our past participants are willing to act as referees and may provide potential participants with valuable insights and perspectives.
What host partners does Compañeros work with?
Relationships have been built with people and organizations who value local, sustainable and justice-oriented community development. Partners include Casa Canadiense, Iglesia Morava, Los Quinchos, FUNARTE, Centro Cultural Batahola Norte, Habitat para Humanidad, Vida Joven, Comunidades Eclesiales Base, Esmeralda Palacios, Generada Vida, and Camino Seguro.
Does Compañeros work with religious and non-religious groups?
Compañeros works inclusively and successfully with both religious and non-religious groups in North and Central America. All who wish to work for personal growth, community development, global education and spiritual inspiration are welcome as partners.
Is Spanish a requirement?
No, each accompanied program has at least one bilingual faciliator. However, past participants have reported that learning any amount of Spanish in advance has increased their satisfaction.
Is academic credit available?
A number of our participants have received academic credit for their service and learning experience. Given advance notice and satisfactory completion of the program, validation of documents is offered free of charge.
Can participants extend their stay?
Yes. Participants are required to start the program on the same date, but different end dates can be arranged. Spontaneous changes may be possible after arrival, but are the responsibility of the participant. Compañeros assumes no responsibility for participants who extend their dates beyond the stated program end date.
What safety risks are involved?
Physically, participants run the risk of becoming mildly to severely ill or injured due to exposure to food, water, air, insect, traffic, criminal, natural disaster or other elements that may be present in some of the areas you will serve and learn. Participants receive a detailed list of risk and assessment resources and are required to sign a Liability Waiver before departure. Compañeros takes its responsibility to practice “due diligence” with the utmost seriousness.
How can I find out more about Central America?
The CountryReports.org website has a wealth of information about Central America, which can be accessed by clicking on one of the buttons below.
Other related websites are listed on our Links page.
