Micro-Enterprise


Challenge: Nicaragua is the poorest Spanish speaking country in the world. 3.7 million people live on less than $2/day (the poverty line as defined by the World Bank) and of those, 1.1 million live on less than $1/day, which is defined as extreme poverty. Moneylenders charge 48% interest, leaving borrowers almost no profit from their work and only enough to purchase the bare essentials.
Approach: Amigos for Christ would like to adopt the system of the Grameen Bank (founder Muhammed Yunus won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in Bangladesh) which promotes small amount / low interest loans to the poor that will allow them to utilize their existing skill set to earn a living. Both small group and family businesses are encouraged. The majority of loans will be for agriculture projects with technical assistance provided by Amigos for Christ.
Family Business
Most poor Nicaraguan families survive on less than $1.00 a day. Many are led by single mothers, who struggle to feed their children. Our organic farming, organic compost, pig, chicken and livestock programs encourage long term, self-sustaining employment among families.

Small Group Business
As an emerging third world country, Nicaragua is ripe for the creation of small business enterprises that depend on the cooperation, labor and accountability of work groups. Micro-lending programs, such as those developed by The Grameen Bank, are the most effective way to cultivate a skilled work force and eradicate poverty among the poor populations we serve. These programs utilize Nicaragua’s most valuable resources: people and rich, fertile soil.