Our Work

Our community development model focuses on long-term, sustainable growth in rural Nicaraguan communities.

Transforming life through:

Leadership

Community Owns Everything

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Developing community leaders to change their own community is at the very core of what we do. Every community elects leaders for community development, water system management, and youth development. We bring these committees together to share ideas, learn strategies, and inspire hope in the future of their community.

TECHNICAL TRAINING

Infrastructure requires technical knowledge. We teach leaders how to own and manage their water systems and other infrastructure so that they are equipped to handle regular maintenance and repairs. This allows projects to be sustainable.

Impact through Leadership

Water

Clean Water and a Bathroom

WATER SYSTEMS

In rural Nicaragua, 69% of families lack access to clean water in their homes. We build water systems that bring water directly to each family’s home to ensure access to clean, abundant water 24/7. This improves families’ health and frees up time and resources for them focus on education and economic development.

MODERN BATHROOMS

58% of rural Nicaraguan families do not have a sanitary place to use the bathroom. Modern Bathrooms – complete with a flush toilet, sink, and shower – provide families with a dignified space to take care of their sanitary needs and help to stop the cycle of parasites and diarrhea, the leading cause of death for kids under 5 in Nicaragua.

WATER FOR CHINANDEGA

There are 500,000 people living in the department of Chinandega. Our dream is for each and every one of them to have access to clean water and modern bathroom. Over the next several years, our team will make this dream a reality.

Impact through Water

Health

Reduce Preventable Disease

HABIT CHANGE

In the communities we serve, 81% of people have tested positive for intestinal parasites. Even more alarming, kidney disease is the second leading cause of death in Nicaragua. These illnesses are preventable through habit change and infrastructure. We are committed to working alongside families to teach healthy hygiene and sanitation habits through various trainings and regular house visits.

MOBILE HEALTH LAB

Our commitment to families’ health extends to the identification and treatment of various illnesses. Our Mobile Health Lab visits communities to test, diagnose, and treat parasites, kidney disease, and respiratory disease. 

CLEAN AIR KITCHENS

Every person that cooks over an open flame suffers from respiratory problems. Our kitchen model features a smokeless stove and a tiled food preparation area that helps prevent sickness and disease caused by unhealthy food preparation conditions.

SURGICAL CARE

We partner with local hospitals to provide life-changing surgeries. Medical brigades from the United States come to Nicaragua several times a year to assist with surgeries for Nicaraguans in need.

Impact through Health

Education

Every Child in School

INCREASED EDUCATION COMMITMENT

In Nicaragua, only 40% of youth complete high school. Working alongside communities, we facilitate after-school activities, offer tutoring and professional development opportunities, and regularly visit with families to encourage school attendance. 

SCHOLARSHIPS

We work to remove the barriers to secondary education by covering tuition, supplies, and transportation through our Young Leaders in Action scholarship program. We have formal partnerships with local high schools and universities to ensure that our students have every opportunity for a better future. 

FUEL THE FUTURE

We build community-led cafeterias that provide breakfast and lunch to all students. This program serves as an incentive for families to send their children to school and improves students’ overall nutrition.

BUILDING SCHOOLS

We are committed to ensuring all children have access to an education. We build model schools with innovative learning environments where attendance and educational opportunities are top priorities. Read more about one of our model school projects here. 

Impact through Education

Economic Development

Increase Income by 10% Annually

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

In the communities we serve, the average daily income is $1.40 per person per day. We want families to thrive, not just survive. Our team works alongside families through regular house visits and trainings that are focused on budgeting, developing small businesses, and growing family income by 10% each year.

MICROCREDIT LOAN PROGRAM

In rural Nicaragua, high interest rates routinely destroy families’ financial freedom and dreams. We’ve found that access to low interest capital and technical assistance makes all the difference for families. Our 5-year program provides the opportunity to maximize profit, increase savings, and end the cycle of debt. 

1 MANZANA PROJECT

Despite having the world’s most fertile volcanic soil, generating a profit from small-scale farming can be nearly impossible in rural Nicaragua. We partner with local farmers to create sustainable organic farms that allow families to grow their income and become debt free. 

Impact through Economic Development

Leading the Way

On a small farm surrounded by vast sugar cane fields, William Matamoros continued to lead the charge of bringing transformation to the community of El...

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