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Nicaragua

Among the World’s Poorest Countries

Nicaragua has about 5.4 million people living in a country slightly smaller than the state of New York. Half of the population is under 16 years of age. It is a rich exporter of coffee, shrimp, lobster, tobacco and cotton. 80% of its population lives below the poverty line. Only Haiti and Guatemala are poorer countries in this hemisphere.

• 49.5% of the Nicaraguan’s earn less than a dollar (U.S.) per day.

• Women head 34% of the homes.
  

• Half of school aged children do not (cannot) attend class.
  

• More than half the deaths of children under four are caused by preventable diseases (diarrhea, pneumonia, malnutrition etc).

Somebody needs to help.

Quality Protein Maize (QPM)

Through the experience and expertise acquired in Ghana, SHI began introducing, promoting, and distributing QPM in Nicaragua with several non-governmental organizations, farmer cooperatives, and close collaborating with the Nicaragua Institute for Technical Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

 

Following two planting cycles of seed multiplication in 1999, SHI began distributing QPM throughout Nicaragua in efforts to improve yields and diets. As of September 2007, 33,000 farmers have received QPM seed along with training for appropriate agricultural technology. Education is also provided in nutrition along the benefits of QPM in daily diets. This effort has been so successful, Self-Help is actively seeking a location for its second seed-bank.

Micro-credit

A women's micro-credit enterprise program started in summer 2004. Enterprises include poultry and pig raising,QPM production and bread baking. By 2008, there are more than 30 women participating in the program.

Feeding Project

A two-year feeding project designed to alleviate malnutrition for 550 babies six months through children age five is underway. Children are fed porridge made with Quality Protein Maize with pinches of barley malt that will allow them to absorb protein and double caloric intake. Mothers receive education in proper health, nutrition and sanitation practices. They also receive loans to cultivate QPM seed to benefit the entire family.