One out of every two people on this planet struggles to feed and educate their children. When powered by opportunity, they have a chance to work their way out of poverty and transform their lives. For 40 years, Opportunity International has provided the savings, loans, training and insurance that all people need to create a better future for their families and their communities.
About this project
Today, the Nicaragua CED program is working towards its newest project, the Entrepreneurial Technical High School in Diriomo, Nicaragua. The Entrepreneurial Technical High School will be a model investment because it will provide students a quality technical education and practical skills needed for economic, social and spiritual development for themselves, their families and communities.
Based on careful analysis of the local needs and capabilities, as well as the local economy, Opportunity identified the two most promising industries that provide economic growth for the poor—tourism and agriculture. The technical high school will focus on these industries. The school will provide both the traditional high school curriculum and technical training in sustainable agriculture and tourism.
As construction begins in late 2011, there is still a significant need for additional capital to build the Entrepreneurial Technical High School in Diriomo, Nicaragua. Now is the time to invest in Nicaragua’s Community Economic Development project, which urgently needs $200,000 by the end of 2011 to cover first year construction and operating expenses. A group of donors have put forward a $100,000 match that will double the impact of your gift if we succeed in raising the needed funds by year-end. These funds will have a long-lasting impact in the community, transforming the lives of individuals and families. By joining this effort, you will be able to help Opportunity achieve its goal in creating sustainable communities in Nicaragua.
Your support will help
Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Central America with 75% of the population living below the poverty line. In 2006, Opportunity International initiated a community economic development program in Granada, Nicaragua with visionary supporters and community development experts. Opportunity Nicaragua partners with local farmers, artisans, and community leaders to provide: access to financial resources, entrepreneurial education to future leaders, training and support for community-led projects to address chronic social issues impacting rural communities. This development model has resulted in farmer’s increasing their average net income by over 30%, average increase in income for artisans of 20% as well as local community leaders leading projects such as: construction of community water aqueducts, bringing clean water to the community; development of a network of 57 libraries providing books to rural schools; investment in an agricultural processing plant to provide access to value-chains for small holder farmers and establishment of 5 Young Life Clubs in the poorest barrios in Granada.
This project tackles the issue of lack of high school and technical education in rural areas with a sustainable model. In most rural communities the public school system only provides elementary education. Less than 10% of rural children finish high school. Opportunity has established the Entrepreneurship Technical High School to provide practical, entrepreneurial training in both the agricultural and tourism industries. The school operates small businesses for a dual purpose: to provide hands-on training for the students and to generate revenue to cover operational costs of the school.
This project helps create a self-sustaining the model by supporting the construction of the classrooms, development of the curriculum and operations in the short term. Within 3 years, as the small school-operated businesses grow, they will generate enough revenue to cover the annual operating costs of the school.
