Why Nicaragua?
Nicaragua is a vibrant, beautiful country…but it is also a place of tremendous need and opportunity to make a tangible difference. Consider the nation’s poverty statistics from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP):
– Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas
– 48% of the population lives below the poverty line
– Nearly 80% of Nicaraguans earn less than $2 per day
– Nearly 70% of Nicaraguans are unemployed or underemployed
– One in four children is born to a teenage mother
Educating for the Future
According to Unicef, the educational gaps in Nicaragua are significant. Creating intergenerational hope requires supporting and strengthening schools that are invested in building up students and their families.
Adult Literacy
One-third of the adult population cannot read or write
PreK - 5th Grade
Less than 30% of Nicaraguan children complete primary school; it takes the average Nicaraguan 10 years to finish.
6th - 11th Grade
Less than half of all students who finish elementary school go on to complete high school. Most leave to work and support their family.
Food Insecurity
According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Nicaraguans of all ages are challenged by a lack of access to affordable nutrition.
Undernourishment
27% of all Nicaraguans suffer from undernourishment, the highest percentage in Central America.
Childhood Malnutrition
1 in every 3 Nicaraguan children suffer from some form of malnutrition.
Food Insecurity
20% of Nicaragua's population could not meet their minimal daily caloric requirement if they spent 100% of their income on food.
Next Steps...
Our Mission at NicaWorks! is to help impoverished Nicaraguans break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing real opportunities for economic, social, educational, and spiritual growth.