In 2010, community partnerships in Nicaragua were originally established in close proximity to our partners in Honduras as a way to expand the region we were already working in. Programs initially started with healthcare clinics to better understand the needs of the Jinotega region of the country. In 2013, we officially established a separate operation in Nicaragua and have expanded our programs to include economic development, clean water and sanitation.
We work with community leaders to build community-owned banks that provide access to loans, savings and financial literacy workshops, while re-circulating loan repayments back into the community bank for future loans. To combat water-borne, respiratory and skin illnesses, we also work with communities and local organizations to build full-scale water systems piped directly into families’ homes and construct eco-stoves, latrines, hand-washing stations and concrete floors. To continue to provide access to healthcare, we still provide mobile medical clinics until the community has trained local Community Health Workers and a local pharmacy established through Global Brigades.