Nicaragua

Population: 5, 715,182
Capital: Managua
Language: Spanish
Life expectancy: 71 years
GNI per capita: $830
Literacy: 77%
Under 5s mortality: 38 per 1000 live births

Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Hard hit by the effects of civil war, natural disasters, collapse of the coffee industry and political corruption, 80% of families live in poverty. There is massive unemployment and little government spending. Many communities live without formal jobs, cultivatable land, electricity, schools, access to roads, access to health services and reliable water sources. Irrigation for large-scale commercial agriculture and deforestation, largely through logging, are reducing the water table. Many fear water shortages and privatisation. The only growth areas are the Free Trade Zones, where overseas companies are free to operate outside any health, labour or environmental laws.

Our work

CWS supports the broad programme of  the Council of Protestant Churches(CEPAD) in Nicaragua. Working with communities that feel forgotten by the government, CEPAD staff and volunteers help local people identify their priorities then get the skills and support to make the changes they need for a better life. Programmes include:

• Small loans to set up businesses
• Home gardens
• Livestock breeding
• Advocacy for services
• Health information
• Housing

CEPAD also provides emergency relief in times of natural disaster and has established peace commissions. These have been operating since the Contra war, helping to broker peace deals, reconcile families and communities and resolve domestic and neighbourhood conflicts.

Our partner

Council of Protestant Churches
www.cepad.org.ni/eng/index2.html

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