4×4 Distribution Nicaragua
What is it all about?
You can be part of a 12 driver group during one of the following dates:
Group 1: March 21st to 28th, 2020
Group 2: March 28th to April 4th, 2020
Group 3: April 18th to 25th, 2020
You can bring a non-driver along to go with your or pack books at the warehouse.
View the schedule here: Schedule 2020
We invite you!
Come 4×4 the message of Jesus to public schools in Nicaragua on an all-inclusive, 0 star trip to distribute Project Jesus books to rural schools.
Goals for 2020:
6,400
SCHOOLS
600,000
STUDENTS
22,500
TEACHERS
Don’t want to 4×4? You can still help!
There are 3 other options for involvement where we need you:
1. For those of you who would like to be part of this adventure but don’t want to 4×4 on rough roads, there are non 4x4ing routes available. Some are in the city and others in the small towns. Knowing how to drive a manual (stick shift) truck is necessary.
2. Packing next weeks books by drop-off point is a very important part of the distribution logistics. Can you count to 5? Do you know your colors? You can be part of the packing team!
3. Would like to come but can’t for whatever reason? Sponsor a driver! There are many adventurous young people who would like to come distribute books but can’t afford it. You can sponsor one you know or one on our waiting list.
Testimony
Tim Davidson organized 3 teams of 8 drivers to come to Nicaragua to do the distribution of more than 400,000 donated student books in 3 weeks. God protected each team member and the entire experience was life changing.
Cost of Trip
2020 cost per driver:
$1,900 USD
$2,500 CND
2020 cost per non-driver:
$1,300
$1,700
The trip includes food, lodging, rent of truck, fuel and up to $700 for the flight. More expensive flights will add to the cost of the trip. This is determined by the airport you fly from and the amount of time you reserve with. The farther in advance you can reserve your trip, the cheaper the flight is.
Please contact us at tim@timko.ca or carla_costarica@yahoo.com with any questions you may have.
Requirements
It is very important that you:
- Love God and have a desire to share Jesus with the children.
- Know how to drive a stick shift pick-up truck.
- Know how to navigate 4×4 roads.
- Do not smoke, drink alcohol, do drugs or have uncovered tattoos during the trip.
- Send your signed waiver form.
- Complete the donation of the total cost of trip.
Trip Recommendations
Details for 4x4ing with Project Jesus for Children
Teams:
The North team will find temperatures of aprox: 25 degrees – might need a jacket at night.
The South team will find temperatures of aprox: 34 to 35 degrees.
After an early coffee break on Sunday, 6 drivers and riders will head north to Jinotega or Sebaco, 2 hours away. 3 trucks and drivers will head south to Jinotepe, about 75 minutes away and 2 drivers will be staying in Managua one of the weeks.
Orientation day. On Sunday, the team will be given an introduction to driving in Nicaragua, an explanation of the week’s routes, tips on how to load and distribute books, and other information, including basic Spanish.
Phone and internet: Each driver is given a Nicaraguan Movistar phone chip that has internet coverage almost anywhere in the country. You will need to bring an unblocked phone to use the Nicaraguan number. Each driver should have WhatsApp installed on the phone as that is the main way of communication during the week. Most the hotels in the rural areas will have wifi.
Necessary items to pack:
- Unblocked phone with WhatsApp installed
Recommended items to pack: These are some optional items that we recommend you bring:
- A sheet for putting on the beds in less luxurious hotels
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Coffee thermos
- Music
- Google translate app installed on phone
- Water bottles to be refilled at headquarters for the day
National Guides: Every driver will be accompanied by a Project Jesus for Children national staff member. These Nicaraguan people work full time with the project and know what you all are supposed to be doing. Every day, you will also pick up an educational authority. These people work with the Ministry of Education and will not only help give directions for getting to schools, but also be the direct connection with each principal.
General Schedule:Every week day, starting at 6:00-6:30am, each team (driver and staff member) will have a list of schools that are the drop off points in the order they are to be visited. Each box of books is clearly marked with the name of the school it is to be dropped off at. Almost every afternoon, the team returns to the warehouse to load the books for the next day.
Passport:You need to keep a photocopy of your passport as well, as that is what you will use along with your license to drive out into the countryside. Your passport will stay at the hotel under lock and key.
Travel insurance: The rented vehicles have full coverage. We have no bail insurance and you don’t want to go there. Each person obtains their own travel/medical insurance.
Dress code: Long, formal, shorts (like tennis shorts) are allowed in the schools and a t-shirt is fine. Tattoo’s should be covered.
Luxuries: There are a couple of destinations that require an overnight stay somewhere in the boonies. Only those comfortable with fewer luxuries will be sent to these locations. Please send us an email if you are NOT comfortable with that.
Food: Sack lunches are provided everyday as “there are more cows than kids” in a lot of areas you will be driving in. Please let us know if you have any allergies or food related problems. These sack lunches will be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies, peanuts, etc.
Coffee: If you like or need coffee throughout the day, please bring a thermos. On most of the routes there is no restaurants or stores. There will be coffee each morning at headquarters that you can use to fill your thermos.
Waiver form: We will be sending out a waiver that must be signed and returned before tickets are issued. It must be signed by everyone and co-signed by both parents I f participant is under age. For those taking your sons, you will need to get a Notarized letter signed by both parents to allow the child to leave Nicaragua with just one parent.
The books you deliver will be the only textbook some Nicaraguan children receive as the government does not provide textbooks in schools. All work is done off a blackboard. Let your imagination try to imagine where these books will end up. It will become the prized possession of many homes across the country and you will be a part in these changes. Read Psalm 2:8 and 8:2 and realize what they mean. Go to www.projectjesusforchildren.com for more info.
Weekly Schedule
What each week looks like:
All details of the schedules and routes for each driver are made by Project headquarters. Project national staff will guide each volunteer to the schools, deal with the principals, and handle the paper work. You do not need to know Spanish and the logistic details will be explained when you arrive.
Saturday: Arrival at hotel in Managua, Nicaragua
Sunday: Orientation, picking up rental trucks, driving to assigned Project base
Monday-Friday:
6:00am – devotional
6:15am – drive to municipal education office to pick up educational authority and guide
7:30am – visit 6 to 12 schools
4:00pm – head back to ware house to load up the books for the next day
7:00pm – dinner
Friday afternoon, everyone goes to Managua, returns the rental trucks, and stays at the hotel.
Saturday: Return trip to home
This schedule is only to give you a general idea of what the trip looks like. Each week and driver is unique depending on the assigned areas.
For more information, we can set up a video call with you.
Distribution Bases
The PJPN distribution bases are:
Sebaco, Mataglapa
Jinotepe, Carazo
Managua, Managua.
The North Team is larger because of the distance to cover. The roads are rougher and the days longer.
The Central Team is small and covers Central American city driving, visiting large schools each day.
The South Team is a mix between the other two, with a warmer climate.