Vanessa Hershberger and Alicia Schwartzentruber are doing their service work at AMNLAE in Rivas, a southern city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Named in part for the first female member of the FSLN (Sandinista party) to die fighting against the Somoza dictatorship, the Asociación de Mujeres Nicaragüenses Luisa Amanda Espinoza is a nongovernmental organization dedicated to improving women's lives through education, advocacy and direct assistance.

Vanessa works mainly in the legal office, assisting with transcription and client intake. Alicia spends most of her day helping with administrative tasks in the clinic. Additionally, they have accompanied Director Martha Bonilla on field trips to remote locations in the campo, where Bonilla gives workshops on domestic violence and family issues.

Each AMNLAE office is funded locally, and like the Estelí office (where Rachel and Michelle work), Rivas is struggling financially. Without money for new programs, supplies or training, it's difficult to keep short-term volunteers busy. Consequently Vanessa and Alicia have had lots of time to explore the city of Rivas, which they really enjoy. They also have visited the nearby dual-volcano island of Ometepe.