Into the Wild Spaces

Who Are We?

"Amigos de Nicaragua" means "Friends of Nicaragua" in Spanish. We are the official RPCV group for former Peace Corps Volunteers who served in Nicaragua. We are currently composed of well over 140 members who live all over the United States and elsewhere, and are bound together by the following:

1. A sense of shared experience in the two years or more we each spent working in Nicaragua
2. A love for Nicaragua: its people, its beautiful landscapes, and its culture
3. The desire to remain aware of what's happening in Nicaragua, discuss current events, and stay in touch with current events: political, social, and cultural.
4. The desire to continue contributing to the advancement of Nicaragua's economic development, as always, through the grass-roots type of activities that we practiced as Peace Corps Volunteers. Typically we contribute to projects run by Peace Corps volunteers, and band together to make ourselves useful in times of need, such as after Hurricane Mitch (October 1998).

We are an affiliate organization of the NPCA (National Peace Corps Association). There are many other RPCV groups, organized by geographic region of Peace Corps service (Uganda, Micronesia, etc.), and geographic location in the United States (Long Island, South Florida, etc.) We are a not-for-profit group; all membership fees are used to support grass-roots projects in Nicaragua. Our board of directors are volunteers.

How do We Relate to Peace Corps?

The Peace Corps has three goals:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Amigos de Nicaragua is just one way Returned Peace Corps Volunteers work on the third goal. We help unite returned volunteers from Nicaragua, and help them use their experience in and knowledge of Nicaragua to promote a better understanding of Nicaragua in the United States. In the days since September 11th, 2001, many Peace Corps Volunteers have felt a renewed sense of responsibility to promote knowledge and understanding, as they are two fundamental elements in the quest for peace. It is our sincere desire that by helping to unite volunteers, we can provide a channel through which good deeds can be performed.

1. Amigos de Nicaragua is a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA).
2. While Amigos de Nicaragua is recognized by the United States Peace Corps, we are not affiliated with the US Government.
3. Our organization is composed of returned Peace Corps volunteers and friends who are interested in Nicaragua and share the goals of the Peace Corps.

What is Our Purpose?

1. To be the alumni association of the returned Peace Corps volunteers from Nicaragua (Nica RPCVs) and promote the group's capacity as individuals interested in Nicaragua.
2. To facilitate communication and maintain contact with as many Nica RPCVs as possible
.
3. To coordinate the network of Nica RPCVs and others who are interested in joining the group.
4. To act as the central organization for Nicaraguan RPCVs and interested individuals, providing information about Nicaragua to its membership.
5. To continue the third goal of the Peace Corps, in bringing the experience home.
6. To coordinate activities and events to bring Nica RPCVs together.
7. To provide humanitarian and educational support to areas of Nicaragua.

Amigos Mission #1

Amigos de Nicaragua's mission is to help its members initiate and/or support activities related to Nicaragua and its people. Those efforts may include assisting its membership continue their commitment to international service and understanding through the exchange of information, materials, and technology; facilitate exchange between people interested in developments in Nicaragua, form a bridge to the in-country Peace Corps volunteers in Nicaragua; and share knowledge of Nicaragua and the Peace Corps with other Americans.

Amigos Mission #2

Recognizing the individual differences of each member's talents, time, and resources, the organization serves as a national network to encourage and support a variety of programs and activities that match a member's interest and abilities to the needs of Nicaragua and Peace Corps.

Where Can You Find Us?

It's easy, and there's no longer any cost involved.

• Mailing List/Email Group: We're on Yahoo Groups, at Amigos de Nicaragua
• Facebook: On Facebook, we're at Facebook RPCVs of Nicaragua
• Peace Corps Connect: We're on the NPCA's social network website at PeaceCorps Connect Nicaragua
• ... or just find us down on the corner, drinking clear liquids from the torn-off corner of a plastic baggie.