“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.”~ Helen Keller

Want to make a difference in the local community during your time here? Chica Brava offers a variety of ways to give back and can help set up volunteer opportunities for you in San Juan del Sur. Take a look at the options below, and feel free to reach out to us for more details!

ChicaBrava Camp Bella: Every year, we run a special surf camp program to empower young women in Nicaragua who come from underprivileged backgrounds. In the past, we focused on helping survivors of human trafficking. In 2015, we broadened our mission to address cultural gender inequality in Nicaragua, working to change the deep-rooted impacts of gender oppression, especially within the home. This year, we’re focusing on our local community and are thrilled to invite you to join us in supporting 13 young women from San Juan del Sur. Click here for more information, or email us at info@chicabrava.com to learn how you can get involved.

Chica Brava Bi-Monthly Beach Cleanup: Every other month, on the first Sunday, Chica Brava hosts a beach cleanup and invites local schools and friends to join in. Everyone who participates will receive a special Chica Brava “beach cleanup” tank top, along with all the supplies needed—like rubber gloves, trash bags, and plenty of F-U-N! This is not only a way to keep our San Juan del Sur Bay clean, but it’s also a chance for the whole community—locals and expats alike—to come together for a shared goal. Click here for more info, or let us know if you’d like to join!

Chicas Adelante: Chica Brava has partnered with Escuela Adelante to create a community outreach program for young women. Every month, the teams from both organizations meet with a group of young women who have shown great effort, determination, and a strong desire to succeed despite the challenges they face. Click here for more information!

Escuela Adelante: 

The name “Adelante” means moving forward, and that’s exactly what this program aims to do. Located at the Biblioteca Movil, Escuela Adelante is an after-school English preparation program for 40 bilingual students. It helps students get ready for higher education. The program focuses on language support and encourages exchange between different cultures, creating a positive learning experience for everyone. Click here for more information or email us at info@chicabrava.com to learn how you can volunteer at the school.

San Juan del Sur Biblioteca – The San Juan del Sur Biblioteca is a free public library that started in 2001 and has more than 12,500 books in both Spanish and English. The library runs two programs that support the children and community of San Juan del Sur, and you can join in while you’re here.

The Children’s Program offers free afternoon classes for kids, which include theater, story time, science projects, crafts, a study area, and English lessons.

The Biblioteca Movíl is a mobile library that visits rural schools three days a week, bringing books, reading stories to children, helping with arts and crafts, playing games, and lending out library books. It’s a great opportunity to explore the rural parts of Nicaragua while bringing fun activities to kids.

For more information, visit their website at www.sjdsbiblioteca.org. If you’d like to get involved in either of these programs while you’re here, just let us know and we’ll help set it up!


Donations are always appreciated in Nicaragua. If you find yourself with some free time during your visit, a great way to help is by bringing any of the following items:

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Books
  • School supplies
  • Art supplies
  • Bilingual dictionaries
  • Baby formula
  • Adult diapers
  • Soccer equipment
  • Basketball equipment
  • Volleyball equipment
  • Baseball equipment
  • Softball equipment

Filed Under: Community Service