| Sample itinerary from past tours with AsoFenix in Nicaragua... University Course//Community Connection Tour to Nicaragua Day 1: Arrive at Casa Cuaquera (Managua) and meet with the entire group Day 2: Meet with AsoFenix Director, Jaime Munoz Walk through downtown Managua and visit Cultural/Historical Museum, Plaza Malecon; Learn from Farmworkers encamped in Managua to fight treatment by Dole Fruit and Dow Chemical; Meet as “delegation” w/ UNDP ~ one of the key actors in international development -- funds projects through various Ministries of Government and promotes sustainable development; Day 3: Discuss Human Rights w/ Jubilee ~ working in Nicaragua for 20 yrs on hurricane relief, housing, Fair Trade, workers’ rights, and sustainable development; Compare/contrast solutions offered by large aid agencies vs. grassroots organizations that provide on-site training for those w/ a determined 'do it yourself' attitude; Learn about water filtration technology, i.e. removing water borne disease with ceramic filters (Potters for Peace/Jubilee House) or biosand filters (CAWST); Jubilee is also looking into making diesel fuel locally from waste veggie oil feedstock Visit Suni-Solar, local/private PV Panel site that operates in Managua (one installed 50W panel on a house = enough for a few CFL bulbs); Visit USAID and learn about US Foreign Policy in Nicaragua Get an update from the Ministry of Energy ~ 90% of country's electricity is from diesel, b/c highly susceptible to increasing oil costs = open to clean, efficient, renewable energy. Learn how bilateral international donors such as the Danish, German, and Swedish governments are making funds available for small-scale renewable energy projects -- channeled through the MOE who works with local NGO's like Asofenix to implement micro-hydro power ranging from 12-50kw (enough electricity for 50-200 households & productive uses) Days 4-8: Travel to rural villages in Teustepe and conduct service projects. Build 'huertos' and 'mayas' fences) for vegetable gardens, this will be in the dry region of central Nicaragua, GE and Asofenix have installed 3 SWPs to deliver potable water…now families grow vegetables near their houses, fences protect new gardens from wandering livestock. Learn about Agroforestry projects, complete a tree planting project; spend nights in a community building w/ food served by families. Help install a biogas digester. Help build household latrines. Conduct health and/or social development assessments. Days 9-10: Travel to San Jose de Los Remates. Tour a micro-hydro project, swim in a waterfall, hike, complete service project, and learn about organic coffee production. If time allows, visit with communities where micro-hydro and household solar systems are planned. Conduct health and/or social development assessments. Day 11: Return to Managua. Relax; Free time; learn about the perspective of 'Witness for Peace‘ ~ explore the role neo-liberal economics have played in Nicaragua. Discuss the massive national debt; the role of international financial institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Trade Organization (WTO); Debrief and give feedback on entire tour/course. Day 12: Hike on the rim of the Masaya volcano, and explore lava tubes; shop at markets in Masaya, return to Managua Day 13: Depart Please contact the Director of Service Learning, Jason Selwitz, to sign-up today:
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~ (503) 284-5774 | 
