The founders of Finca Esperanza Verde, An NGO from the US (Sister Communities of San Ramon and Durham, NC), began developing an ecotourism business in 1998 in an effort to alleviate poverty in this region of Nicaragua. They brought countless visitors to the region through their cultural immersion and volunteer programs that focused mainly on health and education projects.

 

Because of our unique location in the rural community of La Chispa, FEV is able to provide the members of this community with a very unique opportunity - to support and be supported by a premier tourist attraction. Travelers wishing to be more than tourists have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these local Nicaraguans by visiting their homes to provide a cultural exchange by way of our Outreach Program introduced through our Green Hope Foundation.

 

FEV also supports the community with an elementary school - “Escuela La Chispa”. The facility was built by in 2001 with the help of volunteers and community members. It is located on a dedicated parcel of land inside the finca property just a 7 minute walk from the main lodge. The addition of a new roof with skylights, a kitchen, 2 toilets and a new fence was completed in 2023 through a donation of the new owners of the finca. There are 45 kids attending from preschool through sixth grade.

 

FEV hires all its employees from the neighboring communities, who in turn are trained to offer a good quality eco-tourism service. We are also focused on encouraging a better understanding of the local culture to all those who visit the finca.

As our guest, you are in close proximity to the local community and are able to share activities with our staff who are the best ambassadors of their own culture.

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This community based vision is intended to support and be supported by the people in the region as well as our guests from abroad. We are the keepers of this land so our job is to protect it, nourish it and sustain it in the most natural way possible, to teach the children of the community to respect it and to show them by example the appreciation we have for our planet and what it means for their future and the future of their children”. 

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