Situated on a ridge overlooking the Masaya volcano and Lake Managua, the Mariposa Study Centre is part of the community of San Caralampyo (one of the more rural barrios in La Concha). As with the original Mariposa Spanish School (just down the hill) our primary goal is to provide as much local employment as possible - the Mariposa as a whole is now the largest employer in La Concha apart from the public services. We also aim to support the community through our community and environmental projects. We are engaged in many of the local activities. Two examples in this barrio are helping to rebuild the community centre which was semi-destroyed in a storm and working with local people to set up a bakery to provide more local employment. As with the Mariposa Spanish School, we undertake a whole range of projects suited to local needs. And as with the Mariposa Spanish School, ALL of our income from our groups and students is invested in the local community (see Prices page for more details) through employment and the projects.

• Be part of the barrio of San Caralampyo. Meet the community leaders, walk through pineapple fields and groves of orange trees, visit local schools, health centers, places of worship…even the police station and learn about education, health, rural issues…..hang out and have fun with local teenagers and children

• Sleep in our dormitory built from volcanic rock and bamboo, on locally made bunk beds made from sustainable wood and recycled tyres (super comfortable!) or maximize your experience in the community (and your Spanish!) by opting for a homestay with a local family

• Eat on tables made from fallen trees and take classes in rooms built with straw and recycled tyres, where both the power and hot water (for your showers) are provided by solar panels…learn the challenges of eco living first hand!

• Enjoy meals and juices prepared on site from fresh organic food, much of the veg and fruit from our own organic farm and eggs from our free range chickens, the rest bought from local fincas and markets. We eat very little meat (no red meat).

• Live with some of our rescued dogs and ride on our rescued horses who live close to the Study Centre

• Relax in a locally woven hammock, enjoying the stunning location with great views over a live volcano and the lakes of Nicaragua

• Volunteer and community service work in a local school, in the community centre, help with reforestation and preservation of wildlife, work on our organic farm, or help teenagers improve their English (see below and the Volunteer page for more detail on the options available)
  
  
• Excellent Spanish classes (one on one or small group) with the trained and experienced teachers of the Mariposa Spanish School (see Spanish school page for more detail)
  
  
• Classes in history and politics, to understand better Nicaragua's position in the global economic system
  
  
• Discussions of problems and possible solutions in meetings with local community leaders, the Mayor of La Concha, the head of police, the local health system and education
  
  
• Presentations and classes of local folkloric dance and music
  
  
• Visit to a naturalista for a lesson on medicinal plants
  
  
• See wonderful examples of pre Columbian art some of which were discovered whilst digging the foundations of the study centre!
  
  
• Visits to places of interest and beauty which are within an hour of the Mariposa such as Granada, Masaya, the Masaya Volcano and National Park, El Chocoyero Nature Reserve, Mombacho Volcano, the Laguna de Apoyo
  
  
• We can also arrange special tours further afield
  

• The building is built in as environmentally friendly a way as is possible to be. The main eating and meeting area is constructed out of straw, left over once the rice has been harvested. The head builder, an expert in straw building, has designed the room with some lovely arched windows and French doors which overlook the stunning views of the enormous Panama tree on one side and the Masaya volcano on the other. For the dormitory accommodation (sleeps 16) we used volcanic rock, bamboo and caniza. The roof is designed to encourage the natural seeding of plants to create a green roof. Classrooms, built along the terrace, are of similar construction but also use recycled tyres in the retaining walls. There is also a small house, separate from the dormitories, which has three rooms - perfect for group escorts who are looking for a little peace and quiet at the end of the day.
  
  
• All electric power is solar produced and there is also solar heated water for the two showers. We have installed latrines as they are an incredibly effective and non wasteful method (no water is used as in flushing toilets) of disposing of solid waste.
  
  
• The centre is situated on a small piece of land. We have already reforested about ¾ of the land, planting about 2000 trees of different varieties. Some, like the Guanacaste and ceiba, are to replace some of the trees growing here before that would have been a natural part of the Pacific forest but have been cut down. Others, like the chilomate and the marango, also native varieties, have been chosen as they provide a great food supply to local bird and wildlife.
  
  

• working with our rescued animals and helping to preserve wildlife ( especially the dogs and horses)
  
  
• working on one of our organic farms or helping a community establish their own organic vegetable plots
  
  
• using environmentally sound materials in a small construction project
  
  
• working on one of our reading schemes and libraries or with the pre-school day care project.
  
  
• in the wet season, helping to reforest and plant trees
  

• Spanish classes are of course available. Students can take Spanish classes in groups arranged according to the level of Spanish of each student (we work with six levels of grammar from absolute beginner to advanced).The organization is the same as in the Mariposa Spanish school so see the Spanish classes page for details.
  
  
• We can offer a range of different alternatives from history classes to exploring environmental issues in Nicaragua. Each group's program is individually tailored so we work out the detailed program in consultation with you or your group leader. Below are some examples of programs