Visits to homes, games with children, sharing pictures and pumping water from a well help volunteers bond with the community. In the evening, participants usually meet to review the day, sing, explore social and faith-based questions or visit new friends. It is helpful to learn some Spanish phrases before making a trip. In Nicaragua, they stay in a hostel in the SOL Bank Building in Ciudad Dario. In El Salvador, they stay in a comfortable but basic hostel or hotel in Chalatenango.
Volunteers prepare some meals themselves and have others catered by local families or restaurants.
On weekends, there are often group trips to scenic and cultural sites. The group was exceptional, the leadership was wise, the SOL staff made me feel safe and secure. This has been a wonderful experience. Living in Nicaragua and getting to know the people has touched my soul. We were exhausted, yet exhilarated.