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Nicaragua

Andaluz Ascencia runs a home-based sewing business in the rural village of Condega, Nicaragua. She and her various employees make uniforms for children in local schools. They produce 300 hand made uniforms a week in times of high demand. Andaluz is a client of Pro Mujer, a Whole Planet Foundation implementing partner. With access to credit, she has bought three new sewing machines and her business has grown to provide jobs for several women in her village. In the future, Andaluz plans to increase her efficiency and production by purchasing an industrial strength sewing machine and fabric cutter.

Whole Planet Foundation currently partners with Pro Mujer in the Esteli-Condega region of Nicaragua where Whole Foods Market sources coffee.  Pro Mujer Nicaragua is the second organization developed by Pro Mujer, a microfinance network dedicated to empowering Latin American women to lift themselves out of poverty through access to microfinance and health services and training. With operations in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru, the network serves an estimated 193,000 women, and approximately 965,000 children and extended family members. In Nicaragua alone, Pro Mujer currently serves more than 25,000 clients.

See Whole Planet Foundation at work in Nicaragua

Country Information
Nicaragua is the largest nation in Central America yet is the least densely populated. It is bordered by Honduras to the north and by Costa Rica to the south and has a population of about 5.5 million. Esteli and Condega are areas of significant commercial and agricultural activity and yet many women have little to no access to financial capital, health education and basic business training.

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