Our projects are organic in the sense that we do not work from a Mariposa (or any other) blueprint. We respond as best we can to the needs of the community that come our way. We do not imagine for one moment that we have got it right (or that we ever will!), so be prepared for things to change and to be asked for your opinion on where we should go next. We take the view that the fundamental problem is poverty (and it is worth remembering that La Concha is by no means the poorest community in Nicaragua) and that significant changes are required in the way of life in the West for the situation in Nicaragua, as well as the rest of the “Third World,” to really improve. Meanwhile, however, we will continue to do what little we can here in La Concha.

We have undertaken a number of initiatives on our small piece of land to encourage wildlife. Preserving wild plants for hummingbirds and butterflies; creating suitable habitat for other birds to flourish – including the gorgeous guardabarranco, the Nicaraguan national bird – as well as iguana, lizards, frogs, squirrels and mountain cats.

On the premises, we have a frog pond which is home to a variety of species (including a spectacular and non-poisonous tree frog) that help keep the mosquito population down, as well as provide a lovely chorus in the evenings. We have two large birdcages for different varieties of parrots as well as a couple of toucans and an alcaravan. The smaller parakeets are kept apart for their safety and are awaiting their larger cage to be built as well. The birds are all rescued, and as soon as their wings and tail feathers grow back, those able will be released back into the wild. Over 150 animals and birds have already been released in to the wild, either close to the Mariposa or, for example, in the case of boa constrictors – completely harmless despite their bad press!! - or anteaters, in the local nature reserve.

Local people have brought dogs and cats in to us and we work hard to rehabilitate them. We have seven dogs and five cats. We also have a herd of 14 horses, now in semi-retirement after a life offering rides all day on a hot, dry beach. They give rides to our guests on Sundays and by special request. We have also rescued four monkeys, once used for tourist entertainment, that now reside happily next to the parrots.

We have hired a part time literacy teacher to work with members of the staff and the local community to help them learn to read and write and support the Sandinista government´s literacy program. We use the system called “Si, Yo Puedo,” adopted by the government after proven success in Cuba. The local Ministry of Education in La Concha provides the workbooks and necessary materials. Government statistics indicate that one third of Nicaraguan adults are illiterate and we are trying, in a small way, to help decrease this figure. We are always looking to expand this project by offering classes here at La Mariposa to anyone interested in learning to read and write.

Panama is the poorest part of La Concha. The fumes from the Masaya Volcano pass directly overhead and so almost nothing grows there. The Panama primary school services about 200 of the 700 children in the community, although the majority of the children cannot attend school because they spend their days helping their families to collect the daily supply of water. With donations from past students, we have built a retaining wall, latrines and a small library. La Mariposa has taken responsibility for regular building maintenance, repainting, and furniture repair/replacement. The guests at the hotel have also donated books, clothing and school supplies. We pay a part time teacher to work with small groups of students in the library, some of whom would be considered to have learning difficulties had they the resources to be diagnosed. We also help truck water up to the school so the mothers can cook meals for the students. We hope with the growth of our organic farm that in the future we can provide vegetables to supplement the meals with much-needed vitamins.

We are in the beginning stages of repeating the successful library/teaching project in a second school, Ruben Dario. Some construction work is necessary before we can begin to supply the books and other materials. The Mariposa will fund a second teacher to work in this project.

In 2007 the international organization Save the Children, in conjunction with a private nonprofit Libros Para Niños, constructed a building for a small library in the barrio of Santiago, just outside of La Concha. In March of 2010, representatives from Save the Children came to informed La Mariposa that they would be cutting funding and could no longer afford to pay the teacher. The “Story Corner” serves as an after-school activity for children in the afternoons, and the building has become a social meeting place for the youth of Santiago. We agreed to continue paying the teacher and Libros Para Niños agreed to continue sending books. The guests at La Mariposa donate books, clothing, school supplies, and toys to the children that come to the "Story Corner." We continue to place volunteers with the teacher in the classroom, as well as in community projects around the school. Recently we have put in a small finca to provide vegetables to the community as well as planted several trees to provide shade. Building reparations, such as a new roof and repainting the interior, are done through a combination of Mariposa funding and financial and labor support of volunteers and students.

Previously, La Mariposa supported a program in the local secondary school educating the students on conservation and protection of the environment. La Mariposa paid a professor who had developed a curriculum to teach the class. He also organized an Ecological Brigade, until he accepted a position in the local Ministry of the Environment. We still work closely with the Ministry on reforestation projects when feasible. On the Mariposa grounds, we maintain a small plant nursery from which we donate saplings and ornamental plants to our various projects and any individuals who request them. We plant our trees and other natural flora in schools and public space in and around La Concha. When possible we also continue working with the Ecological Brigade from the secondary school.

La Mariposa has an organic farm located a short bike ride away in La Concha. We employ four men who work together with volunteers to produce broccoli, squash, pumpkin, melon, lettuce, green beans, and more. With the help of a community organizer, Pedro, we started to plant a small community farm up in the neighborhood of Santiago to help nourish the neighbors with fresh veggies.

All of the Mariposa staff are keen to be involved in our eco-tourism project whether offering informal Spanish conversation, showing you their particular expertise (cooking, medicinal plants, bird spotting, caring for injured animals, for example) and acting as guides on foot, horseback, public transport or using the Mariposa pick up truck to get to know the local village or go further afield. As a result, several of our staff/guides would like to learn English.

We continually support the community in a number of small ways, helping with various projects based on requests from the community and from individuals. We often finance parties for school children, provide prizes for contests, lend our automobiles out for community events, and work to promote and coordinate with other nonprofits and development organizations in the area.