Escuela Luis Alfonso Velasquez in Laguna de Apoyo

We consider our social commitment to be of the highest priority. As a result, we at Estacion Biologica FUNDECI/GAIA collaborate with the Escuela Luis Alfonso Velasquez to improve the quality of education for the poor children who live in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Most of these children do not come from homes with the advantages of educated or wealthy parents. We help to provide the children with interesting educational experiences, materials and infrastructure. In 2010, we coordinated a repair of the school infrastructure, with a very generous donation from Christine Bruxer and her Canadian junior high school students, and labor provided by the local parents and CPC. 

Our students at the Laguna de Apoyo Spanish School regularly visit the school and interact with the students. We recommend that our visitors bring simple school materials-pencils, composition books, backpacks-to provide for the local children who can not afford their own materials. Here we show photos of our local children in visits from students of the Laguna de Apoyo Spanish School.

Students of Apoyo Spanish School visit the children of our local elementary school. Photo by Belen Camino.

Photo by Belen Camino.

Photo by Belen Camino.

Here a donation of maps of the world is presented to the children and staff of the school, generously provided by our Spanish school students.

Students of Apoyo Spanish School bring donated educational materials to the Luis Alfonso Velasquez School. Photo by Belen Camino.

Photo by Belen Camino.

Please come and visit our local children and bring school supplies to help them receive a good education!

We believe that all children deserve a great education. Thanks to all who have contributed.

Click on the "escudo" to go to http://www.gaianicaragua.org/.

Our thoughts on food at Estacion Biologica

How one eats may be the best exercise of politics that one can make. At Estacion Biologica, we try to follow the principle "think globally, eat locally". We purchase beans from the Ebert Silva Cooperative in Laguna de Apoyo. Other provisions are purchased from national producers, whenever possible from small-scale farmers. Thanks to prior rural development projects executed throughout Nicaragua, one can find lettuce and other green vegetables grown organically in Nicaraguan small farms. Organic food and fresh products from small-scale producers are our priority!

We serve freshly cooked food, avoiding whenever possible, processed foods and foods imported from outside Nicaragua. Our cooks produce healthy meals from "scratch". Breakfasts include fresh milk, granola, fresh fruit, eggs and "gallo pinto", and the best Nicaraguan coffee available. 

Our kitchen is open-air and informal, and our meals are simple, healthful, and made with locally produced products.

We serve fresh-brewed coffee, freshly ground from whole beans, the best available in Nicaragua!

Our cooks have fun! We serve three meals a day and you are welcome to join us for a meal, a day, or longer. Unlike most establishments, all our workers receive meals and they eat what our visitors eat. We emphasize good nutrition to our workers is as important to them as to our visitors.

Our principles on food:

1. Buy organic.

2. Buy as local as possible.

3. Buy from small farmers.

4. Buy from farmers organized in cooperatives or other kinds of associativity.

5. Avoid processed and packaged foods.

6. Buy from certified farmers and promote certification processes for socially and environmentally favorable production. 

7. Promote food security strategies by purchasing food products that are compatible with local production and consumption.

When you eat with us, we hope you learn about food in Nicaragua and contribute to good development strategies by eating correctly and well.

Click on the "escudo" to contact us.

Studying Spanish in Laguna de Apoyo

Spanish courses are provided at the Apoyo Spanish School, located at Estacion Biologica in Laguna de Apoyo Nature Reserve. Ours is the oldest existing Spanish school in Nicaragua. Our school is part of the Nicaraguan Foundation for Integral Community Development (FUNDECI), a registered not-for-profit organization in Nicaragua. Ours is the oldest continuously operating Spanish school in the country, and we have provided training for teachers in most of the other schools-we teach the teachers in regular workshops. We typically provide classes in one-on-one instruction, but we can also arrange classes in small groups. All proceeds received by FUNDECI go towards community development and environmental protection in the country.

Lunch is a family affair. Photo by Belen Camino.

Apoyo Spanish School offers Spanish training for all ages. Photo by Belen Camino.

Young people are welcome here! We have teachers with experience in children's education.

Teachers and students at Apoyo Spanish School. Photo by Belen Camino.

One-on-one Spanish instruction under large trees at Apoyo Spanish School. Photo by Jeffrey McCrary.

Classes are often held outdoors, under the shade of large trees. Monkeys are often passing overhead during classes. If you like the idea of studying Spanish with nature near, come to visit us.

Homework! Photo by Jeffrey McCrary.

Mette is diligently finishing her homework-while the less studious ones are playing in the lake!

Our Spanish training courses are integrated with other activities of the research station in community and environmental issues. We provide one-on-one and small-group instruction with accomodations in a natural setting, with the best teachers in Nicaragua!

Click on the "escudo" to contact us.