Why Nicaragua?

God has called us to serve in the poorest country in Latin America. The majority of people in the communities we work with survive on less than $1.00 a day. We cannot ignore these conditions. We hope to positively affect the current generation and provide the necessary resources for the next generation to succeed on their own.

Alarming Statistics

Total Population in Nicaragua is 5.3 million

Economic

3.7 million people (70%) live on less than $2/day (defined as “poor”)

1.1 million people (21%) live on less than $1/day (defined as “extreme poverty”)

Housing

2.1 million people (40%) live in houses made from scrap material

2.7 million people (50%) live in overcrowded conditions

Health

477,000 children (33%) suffer from chronic malnutrition

2.7 million people (50%) do not have access to essential medicines

Only 3 doctors for every 8,000 people.

Education

2 of 3 children will not complete 6^th grade

6 of 7 of rural Nicaraguans will not complete secondary school (7^th thru 11^th grade)

Water

60% of rural water supplies are contaminated

95% of farm land is not cultivated during the 6 month dry season

Spirituality

78% of the communities do not have a church

94% of rural Nicaraguans do not attend church regularly

The primary lessons we have learned are:

The long term solution to poverty and hunger isn’t charity but opportunity.
People must be able to live in a safe and sturdy home and environment, with at least minimum medical care if they are to thrive instead of just survive.
If a child’s education is cut short, his opportunities are as well.
Abundant, clean water supplies are they key to health and crop production.
Communities prosper where a strong spiritual life is a priority.
By partnering with other organizations to meet the needs of the extremely poor, Amigos for Christ can be very effective.