SchoolBOX, Support the right of every child to a basic education

Indigenous Youth Empowering Students

Indigenous Youth Empowering Students (IYES) is an international youth development program run through the grassroots Canadian Charity, SchoolBOX INC. IYES provides Indigenous youth from Canada the opportunity to create meaningful change in the lives of Central American children through education.

IYES volunteers enjoy an amazing life experience, improve the lives of others, and become leaders of change in their home communities.

IYES participants learn about their heritage and traditions and prepare a cultural presentation to take to Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, the IYES group works with community members and SchoolBOX staff to build a school in an impoverished community. There they share their stories in a cultural exchange, while building life long bonds.

Participants are guided through discussions and workshops on Indigenous leadership, personal leadership philosophy, and creating a vision for their home communities.

There are many ways that you can get involved!

Donate: Provide a flight Scholarship for a youth participant or support them in the program.

Testimonials: Read about the stories of past participants and the steps they have taken to use their IYES experience to create change at home.

Blog: (coming soon) Read about news updates and the work IYES youth are doing across the country.

Apply Now: Become a leader of change, participate in the IYES program.

For more information on IYES please contact: iyes@schoolbox.ca

SchoolBOX would like to congratulate the applicants who have been selected to participate in IYES! There are a limited number of seats still available for our project in July.

Do I qualify for the program?
• Are you a First Nations, Métis or Inuit?
• Are you over the age of 18?
• Do you live in Canada?

Costs and Details

The cost to participate in the IYES Volunteer Trip is $1000 USD which includes the following:

• School building project and cross-cultural experience
• All in-country transportation
• 9 nights shared accommodation at hotels
• All meals + purified water
• Recreational excursions + cultural activities
• All gratuities and tips
• 24/7 Translation and guides

Each participant must also raise a minimum of $250 Canadian Dollars that will be used directly towards their project. For fundraising ideas, please contact iyes@schoolbox.ca, or download the IYES leadership manual.

SchoolBOX also has a limited number of IYES flight scholarships (up to $1000 CND) available, for those who demonstrate financial need. Please contact iyes@schoolbox.ca for more info or click on the IYES Application Form to apply.

All IYES program documents are available to download here:

1. IYES Application Form
2. Registration Form
3. Volunteer Contract and Assumption of Risk (coming soon)
4. Flight Scholarship Application
5. IYES Leadership Manual
6. IYES Pre-Departure Manual
7. Photo Consent Form

To learn more about your trip, click on the links below:

IYES Trip | Welcome to IYES | Testimonials