Economic Context

Economic Context

Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the region.   Haiti is the only Western Hemisphere state that is economically worse off than Nicaragua – and Haiti is suffering an economic and social disaster.   Nicaraguan social and economic fabric has been disrupted repeatedly over the past 120 years.   The families of our students survive on $50 to $100 per month.   None of my students had received any preventive medical care, dental care or OB/Gyn care prior to our assistance becoming available.   There are few good and safe jobs available in Nicaragua.   Most agricultural jobs are dangerous because of the unsafe use of pesticides – which is universal.   The father of one sponsored student died of kidney failure after working in the banana fields for only a few months.   Many Nicaraguans have died or are on kidney dialysis now because of this problem.   This is why organic bananas are so important.   Many rural Nicaraguan communities lack a safe water supply.   Even college educated Nicaraguans often have difficulty finding good and safe jobs.   On a brighter note, while there is still discrimination against women in Nicaragua, and domestic violence remains a problem, Nicaraguan society is making sincere efforts in addressing these important issues.