Once upon a time, the Amigos had its own web site and domain.  Those days are
past, and we largely use other services for staying in touch.  This page allows
RPCVs and others to find us in web searches, and figure out how to get in
touch.


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: 

	A sense of shared experience in the two years or more we each spent
working in Nicaragua

	A love for Nicaragua: its people, its beautiful landscapes, and its
culture

	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.

	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:
 
	To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for
trained men and women

	To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the
peoples served

	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.


Amigos de Nicaragua is a non-profit organization affiliated with the National
Peace Corps Association (NPCA).  While Amigos de Nicaragua is recognized by the
United States Peace Corps, we are not affiliated with the US Government. 
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?
  
	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. 

	To facilitate communication and maintain contact with as many Nica
RPCVs as possible. 

	To coordinate the network of Nica RPCVs and others who are interested
in joining the group. 

	To act as the central organization for Nicaraguan RPCVs and interested
individuals, providing information about Nicaragua to its membership. 

	To continue the third goal of the Peace Corps, in bringing the
experience home. 

	To coordinate activities and events to bring Nica RPCVs together. 

	To provide humanitarian and educational support to areas of Nicaragua. 

  Amigos Mission #1 

Amigos de Nicaragua's mission is to help its members initiate andgor 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 http://www.facebook.com/groups/2211088692" 
(RPCVs of Nicaragua)

Peace Corps Connect: We're on the NPCA's social network website at 
http://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/group/amigosdenicaragua

... or just find us down on the corner, drinking clear liquids from the
torn-off corner of a plastic baggie.