Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ - Medical, Dental & Eye Care Clinics
FAQ - Accommodations & Country Information
FAQ - Corner of Love Ministries
FAQ - Volunteering
FAQ - Before Departure
FAQ - Financial Assistance
Questions about Medical, Dental and Eye Care Clinics
- Can I serve on a Medical, Dental, or Eye Care Brigade?
- The answer is most likely - YES! Read more about Who Can Serve.
- Do I have to speak Spanish to work with Corner of Love?
- No. Interpreters are provided.
- What if I don't have any medical, dental or ophthalmology experience?
- We still have a job for you! There are all kinds of job posts, like bag filling, counting and sorting pills, set-up, clean up, etc. If you are willing to serve - we'll find a spot for you! And you'll be amazed what an impact you'll make in the lives of many Nicaraguans.
- Where are medical and eye care clinics carried out?
- In the villages our teams are fortunate to use elementary schools, chapels, and other buildings which are graciously lent to us. On occasion, teams have served in open-air settings as well, especially in the most remote areas. In San Ramón we are building a Clinic near La Lima River that will include medical and eye exam rooms. Please consider making a financial donation towards this effort.
- Where are dental clinics carried out?
- In San Ramón Corner of Love has a dental office on the main street of town, across from the Catholic Church. This is a humble, but functional office. It has a water dispenser, bathroom, cabinets, and an air-conditioning unit. There is electricity and running water, as well. In the villages, dental workers set up clinic inside elementary school rooms, chapels, and other buildings, just as the medical team does. Many villages do not have electricity, but generators are brought so that dental tools may be used.
- What kind of dental equipment is in the San Ramón office?
- The dental office in San Ramón opened in March 2008. This office still has many needs and there are plans to ship a container so that more equipment can be brought to Nicaragua. Currently it is equipped with:
- An autoclave
- A water distiller
- 6 portable chairs
- 6 portable lights
- Oral surgery instruments
- A selection of restorative instruments
- Hand-pieces, drills
Stationary chairs, compressors, and dental delivery units will be sent to Corner of Love when we are able to ship a container. Upcoming improvements to the clinic include an electrical rewiring of the office and a new panel, as well as new paint and a sink. To help with Corner of Love's effort to ship a container to Nicaragua and outfit permanent medical and dental clinics, please DONATE.
- Who is needed to carry out medical clinics?
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| Role |
Who |
How Many Needed? |
| Treating Physician/Clinician/RN |
Licensed Doctors & Nurses |
Min. of two per trip, unlimited |
| Supporting Physician/Clinician/RN |
Retired Doctors & Nurses |
Unlimited |
| Pharmacy Lead |
Licensed or Retired Pharmacist |
Two or more |
| Triage Interviewer |
Volunteers with some Spanish |
Six or more |
| Height & Weight Assistant |
General Volunteers |
Six or more |
| Bag Fillers |
General Volunteers |
Five or more |
| Pharmacy Workers |
Medical/General Volunteers |
Eight or more |
| Rx Explanation |
Spanish-speaking Volunteers |
Two or more, unlimited |
| Transcribers |
General Volunteers |
Four or more |
| Lines & Flow Asst |
General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Charts & Stats |
General Volunteers |
Four or more |
| Set-up & Packing |
General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Kid's Activity Station |
General Volunteers |
Four or more |
|
- Who is needed to carry out dental clinics?
-
| Role |
Who |
How Many Needed? |
| Treating Dentist/Dental Asst/RDH |
Licensed Dental Workers |
Minimum of four per trip |
| Supporting Dentist/Dental Asst/RDH |
Retired & Other Dental Workers |
Unlimited |
| Sterilization Assistant |
Dental/General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Oral Hygiene Teachers |
Dental/General Volunteers |
Unlimited |
| Set-up & Packing |
Dental/General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Fluoride Station |
Dental/General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Triage Interviewer |
Volunteers with some Spanish |
Two or more |
|
- Who is needed to carry out eye care clinics?
-
| Role |
Who |
How Many Needed? |
| Treating Eye Doctor |
Licensed or Retired Eye Doctor |
One or more, if available |
| Refraction Workers |
Ophthalmology/General Volunteers |
Two or more |
| Set Up & Packing |
Ophthalmology/General Volunteers |
Two or more |
|
- What dental services are offered by COL teams?
- Corner of Love's dental teams have been serving people in need by offering extractions, fluoride treatments, and restorative dental services, such as filling cavities. We have been fortunate to be bringing several individuals who specialize in oral surgery and recently expanded to include dental hygiene classes.
- How are villages chosen?
- Community leaders and residents of villages in North Nicaragua obtain a "Solicitud de Servicios Para Mi Comunidad" (Application for Services in my Village) from Corner of Love staff in San Ramón. On this application they petition for a needed water project as well as a mobile village clinic. The application includes questions about their village, such as population, facilities available, last visit from MINSA (Nicaragua's Ministry of Health), special health cases, and a detailed explanation of how they will complete the proposed water project. Once reviewed, villages are selected according to greatest need and feasibility of hosting a Corner of Love medical, dental, or eye care brigade. Special attention is also given to the level of native leadership in the area, the type of water project proposed, and the scope of people whose accessibility to clean drinking water will improve because of our donation. On the day of clinic medical, dental and/or eye care services are provided to the village and a financial donation is given for the purpose of carrying out the water project requested.
- Can I bring a medical or dental team from another state or country to work with Corner of Love?
- Yes! In fact, if you have a group of at least ten, it is possible to schedule a medical, dental, or eye care team (we call them “brigades”) during other months, such as January, March, April, May, September, October, or November.
Contact us via email: info@corneroflove.org for more information.
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Questions about Accommodations and Country Information
- Where will I stay?
- Teams stay in Corner of Love's dormitory, which is called, "Quinta El Misionero" (The Missionary Quinta) in San Ramón. San Ramón is about twenty minutes away from Matagalpa and approximately a 2 ½ to 3 hour drive from the Managua airport. The Missionary Quinta is a very large facility with dorms for men and women, and guest rooms for couples and families. To read more about the dorm, go to Dormitory Construction.
- Is it safe?
- Yes, Nicaragua is a safe country. In fact, crime is actually lower than in neighboring Costa Rica. Managua has a higher crime rate, but Corner of Love teams do not serve there, they depart immediately to San Ramón by bus. San Ramón is an agricultural town that is growing into a suburb of Matagalpa. As a precaution, Corner of Love does limit Team Members to walking in safer areas at designated times for the safety of the team when in San Ramón. As part of our group, you will be asked to sign an area of the Team Handbook that explains rules pertaining to "walking around."
- What is the climate?
- Nicaragua's climate is predominantly tropical and there are two seasons commonly referred to as "tiempo de verano" (summer-time) and "tiempo de lluvia" (rainy season/time). Managua is much hotter than the San Ramón/Matagalpa area, and its geographic location between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts cause the capital to be more humid than the Northern area where Corner of Love teams work. The dry season typically begins in November and continues through May. The hottest months of the year are March and April. During the dry season, teams in San Ramón can expect warm weather between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit, although homes and buildings stay cool because of their concrete construction. Rainfall from May or June through November can be torrential or sporadic and teams that travel in June usually encounter a shower or two during the day which are most always followed by sunshine. The Matagalpa Region, which includes San Ramón and the many villages that surround it, is a mountainous region with elevations of up to 5000' above sea level. Nights can be cool (under 65 degrees) and breezy with wind gusts. Travelers should be prepared for chilly nights and warm days working in sunny areas.
- Is there internet access?
- Yes. If you have an urgent need to send/receive email or access the web you may use our computers at Quinta El Misionero. Be advised, however, that Corner of Love discourages internet usage while serving on a mission and asks that you limit internet time to critical tasks only while in San Ramón. As part of our team, you will be asked to remain on campus when in San Ramón so plan on accessing the web on excursion days or when our group is in Managua. We do frequently provide travelers with a stop at internet cafes in the neighboring town of Matagalpa for longer internet use and the hotel where we stay at in Managua has a pay-to-use Business Center.
- What kind of drinking water is offered?
- At Corner of Love's dormitory, "Quinta El Misionero," there are several water dispensers, just like the ones used in U.S. homes that have five gallon jugs of purified water. Team members drink only purified water from these dispensers or bottled, purified water.
- What kinds of meals are offered?
- Meals are a combination of U.S. & Nica recipes. Some team favorites are barbecued chicken, fresh pico de gallo salsa, omelets, pancakes, gallo-pinto (rice and beans), fresh bread from Belen Bakery in Matagalpa, and chicken dumpling soup. For those who prefer more familiar items, Corner of Love's pantry is stocked with U.S. foods at all times, such as Cup'o Noodles soup, Ritz crackers, cereal, etc.
- What are the sleeping arrangements?
- Couples and families stay together in guest rooms on the upper floor. Single individuals (or those who are serving without their spouses) sleep in Men's or Women's Dorm Rooms on the lower level.
- Can I call home?
- You can call home, but calls cost as much as $2 per minute and telephone service is not always optimal. Team members are asked to limit calls to 5 minutes or less and leave cash payment for their call. Most calling cards do not work in Nicaragua. In general, it is best to tell family members that they will only receive a call in the event of an emergency.
- What is the power supply?
- 110v - Same plug as U.S. Please be aware that power surges in Nicaragua may damage your items or devices. Electrical outages are also frequent.
- What is the time difference?
- Nicaragua does not use Daylight Saving Time. In the winter, the time in Nicaragua is Central Time (same as Chicago); the rest of the year when most of the U.S. is using Daylight Saving Time, Nicaragua is the same as Mountain Time (as in Denver). See Current local time in Managua.
- Are there laundry services?
- Yes, there are laundry services - your clothes are lovingly washed by hand! Corner of Love staff at the dormitory are happy to help wash items and there is one washing machine. At the end of the trip you will have the opportunity to "tip" these ladies who work hard to care for our teams during their stay.
- What about bugs?
- Quinta El Misionero's windows have screens and the building is fumigated twice per year. Most guests are delightfully surprised to find that they encounter less mosquitoes than in many U.S. backyards, but if you are extra sensitive to bites you should take precautions, such as by using insect repellant. Bed nets are also available upon request.
- What is the current political situation in Nicaragua?
- Nicaragua is a fragile democracy and 2011 is a presidential election year. Despite constitutional laws that prohibit the current president from seeking another term, he recently announced his illegal candidacy and seeks to ban international election observers. Current affairs of the country capture little international attention but foreigners can help the republic by supporting human rights and freedom of speech for the opposition, whose rallies and attempts to campaign are mostly sabotaged by the current administration.
Below is a recommended article pertaining to the current political situation:
http://www.ticotimes.net/Central-America-the-Caribbean/Nicaragua/Elections-cast-long-shadow-on-democracy-in-Nicaragua_Friday-January-14-2011
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Questions about Corner of Love Ministries
- What is Corner of Love?
- Corner of Love is Christian organization that serves impoverished people in North Nicaragua. We lead medical-dental teams and People To People missions to San Ramón and villages that surround it. In this remote area, 1 in 53 households has potable water and less than 20% of children attend school for lack of basic needs like clothing and shoes, as well as nominal tuition fees. Corner of Love provides services and goods to any deserving patient or person in need regardless of the their political view or religious belief through many native-led programs. We are based in Washington State, with offices in Renton and Maple Valley, but teams from other states and Canada also serve with Corner of Love. Be a part of Corner of Love - it's an amazing adventure in global outreach that will change your life and the lives of those you serve!
- What is the primary goal of Corner of Love in the U.S. & Canada?
- Corner of Love's primary goal is to give "regular" people the chance to do something great for God. We seek to effect a positive change in each participant's spiritual life by empowering them to GO, PRAY, PROVIDE, and COLLECT - all in an effort to comfort and care for those in need in Nicaragua and glorify God by doing so.
- What is the primary goal of Corner of Love in Nicaragua?
- Corner of Love's primary goal in the country of Nicaragua is to work alongside native Nicaraguans to bring about lasting improvements in the areas of health and education, and meet urgent needs of God's people in their communities and villages.
- By donating or volunteering, who am I helping?
- Corner of Love's programs seek to help those most in need, especially disabled children and the elderly. Many patients who come to Corner of Love clinics walk for miles in the mountainous Darienses Range to receive basic services that are far beyond their reach without our help. More than half of the population of 30,000 residents in and around San Ramón survive on less than $1 U.S. per day and suffer from waterborne illnesses. Your gift of time or resources to Corner of Love is a gift to the entire community of San Ramón! Apart from our own activities, Corner of Love also funds water improvement projects and contributes to many native-led programs, such as Los Pipitos Center For Disabled Children and local schools.
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Questions about Volunteering
- How can I help in the U.S.?
- Here are some examples of how you can help here in the U.S.:
- Pray for Corner of Love's effort to comfort and care for God's people in Nicaragua and lift up the needs of the mission Prayer Chain.
- Go on a mission trip to Nicaragua.
- Collect items needed for missions.
- Bring news to your home church or other organization about Corner of Love and ask them to prayerfully consider sending a member or a team, or supporting Corner of Love with prayers and financial gifts. To have a packet sent to you, email us at: info@corneroflove.org and include your full name and address with zip code.
- Can I invite friends who do not go to church to participate as a volunteer or traveling team-member?
- Yes! Corner of Love is a Christian outreach that welcomes church-go'ers, as well as those who are not currently attending a church.
- Who can volunteer in Nicaragua?
- Native Nicaraguans serve alongside Americans on every Corner of Love mission. Locals from the San Ramón/Matagalpa area, members of IELNIC, doctors, nurses, and other individuals can apply to work with teams by completing a Volunteer Application, called an "Aplicacion Para Voluntarios." Once applications are received, Nicaraguan volunteers are selected and then attend a Service Orientation. Because these volunteers will be working around medicine and other donated goods, only individuals who have completed this process may work alongside Corner of Love's teams.
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Questions about Before Departure
- What if I need to travel on a different airline or day?
- It is possible to travel ahead of the group or return after, but please be advised that only itineraries that arrive before the rest of the group and/or after their scheduled departure can be accommodated, since our team leaves by bus for San Ramón as soon as everyone has arrived on the "Suggested Itinerary" flight.
- What do I need to bring?
- See the What To Bring list.
- What if I would like to come early or stay late in order to sightsee in Nicaragua?
- It is fine to come early or stay late. We will be happy to recommend hotels and attractions via email (info@corneroflove.org).
- How much money should I bring?
- Your team handbook will address this more in detail, but just to give you an idea, most travelers bring about $100-$200 in cash for incidentals (all meals, transportation, excursion, and hotel in Managua are included in your trip fee).
- Should I bring cash, traveler's checks, or bankcards?
- You should bring cash. Traveler's checks are a big hassle and our teams do not have the ability to go to a bank. Bankcards are widely accepted in Matagalpa and Managua, but not in San Ramón.
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Financial Assistance
- Missions are for all who want to serve! Don’t let a lack of funds hold you back.
- Corner of Love is committed to helping you come and serve in Nicaragua if you need financial assistance towards your trip costs. Our organization has helped more than 150 people raise individual support. We cannot help with airfare, but it is possible to cover your $650 cost plus the amount needed in-country by following these steps:
- Determine how much you need to raise. The total for lodging, transportation, food, and excursion is $650 + $45 payable in-country. How much of the $695 will you need to raise?
- Fill out your Trip Application and mail it in with a note stating, "I need financial assistance. The amount I need to raise is _____." We recommend that you apply at least 90 days prior to the trip if you need financial assistance.
- We will contact you and provide you with "Individual Support Letters" and envelopes.
- You will address and send out Individual Support Letters to family and friends soliciting funds for your individual costs. A minimum of twenty letters must be sent.
- 30 days prior to the trip, a Corner of Love representative will discuss your progress with you and decide on an amount of financial assistance needed, if any. Amounts raised in excess of your cost will go to Corner of Love.
- There are other ways to raise individual support, too - such as holding a "Send Me Dinner," doing an auction, or asking for support from your church or employer. Remember – we are here to help you – just ask!
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Corner of Love . . . A Community Adventure in Global Outreach
Corner of Love is recognized as a tax-exempt organization under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN No. 36-4612230.
Your gifts to COL are 100% tax-deductible in the United States. Thank you for
donating or volunteering!
© 2006-2011
Corner of Love
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