Throughout the two years of a political crisis in Nicaragua, and an additional two years of the pandemic, our programs combining social and technical training with sustainable farming in Nicaragua and Guatemala have continued to benefit rural families.
Our mission to “empower and equip rural families to be the agents of their own development” has shown time and again that people are willing and capable to work hard and succeed at changing their family’s future.
Communities undeterred:
In case you have not been following the various events of the past few years, Nicaragua has been embroiled in a national political crisis since 2018. The country was also deeply impacted by COVID and occasionally threatened by destructive hurricanes. These factors have naturally affected our farming program. They have not deterred us completely though, and we currently have 33 food security farms in operation. As of today, we are building an additional 10 family farms.
Small farms have more than doubled a family's income from $90 to $180 month, and provides more than 25 varieties of vegetables and fruit to diversify their diet and improve their nutrition.
New programs in Guatemala:
In Guatemala, the government responded admirably to COVID, and the country is recovering from the pandemic. With the start of construction of a teaching kitchen in a public school in Los Planes, we have launched a new food and nutrition program in rural communities around Lake Atitlán. We are also planning a teaching farm and a rainwater catchment system at the school this summer.
Building on this project, we will begin our core training program for adults in Guatemala. Human Capacity Training (HCT) will provide the training and support so individuals can begin farming their own land and creating an income for their family.
Family travel renewed:
We are excited to announce the return of our Family Immersion Volunteer program which we will host in June of 2022 in the Lake Atitlán region. Together we will work with the indigenous community of Los Planes, helping the families there to build a teaching farm at the public school. Training, food, water and small business are the cornerstones of our rural development program.
We are launching this effort with a new concept: a functioning model farm to teach children and parents how to use small-scale farming to feed their families, provide produce to their communities, and earn a living doing so.
Learn more and register for our Family Immersion Travel program this June
“My name is Exania Estrada. I am a muchacha.” Exania Estrada grew up in the municipality of Larreynaga in León. She lives in the community of Trolio with her husband, in-laws and two daughters of three and nine years old. She has a passion for cultivating land, especially in her own family garden.
Continue reading >“I first liked social work because in my community I saw the difficulties and lack of resources within the school system. Another challenge was the distance (from residents’ homes to school) that limits good attendance in the school. I always dreamed of having knowledge in helping communities…to contribute to helping the poor especially in the city of León”
Continue reading >"In 2015 a series of events impacted my life profoundly. It began when my husband abandoned us leaving me responsible for our three children. This left me puzzled, not knowing what to do or which way to go. I was very lonely, and had lost the motivation to continue living."
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