During the 1980s, much of Nicaragua's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed during the war between the Contras and the Sandinistas. The U.S. staged an economic blockade from 1985 onwards, which left the country in further shambles. Over the past 12 years, Nicaragua has witnessed a very significant transformation: from a nation torn by war, with its economy plunged into chaos, it has re-emerged as an inclusive democracy where the foundations for economic growth and sustainable development are being laid. Notwithstanding this progress, Nicaragua still remains among the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Nicaragua is currently the second most impoverished country in Latin America (second to Haiti), according to The World Bank. However, the reduction in inflation, economic growth and privatization has made little difference in Nicaragua's many social issues. An estimated 48 percent of the population in Nicaragua live below the poverty line (2006 est).

Elementary education is free and compulsory, however, this is not strictly enforced and many children are unable to attend because their families need them to work. With an illiteracy rate near 20 percent (World Bank), and an estimated 48 percent of the population in Nicaragua living below the poverty line, there is still much work to be done.

World Neighborhood Fund's current charity, Empowerment International, is run by a small group of dedicated volunteers working to help children in Nicaragua and nearby Costa Rica. Their mission is to break the cycle of poverty before it is transferred to yet another generation, by building more educated and productive communities.

Empowerment International was started by Kathy Adams, an engineer who spent much of the past two decades working in Central America. Viewing first hand the level of poverty and seeing children selling fruits and candy on the streets, Kathy felt compelled to change the situation. In 1998, she purchased the requisite uniforms, shoes and books and enrolled children from two families in schools with her own money. Since then, Empowerment International has expanded to provide education for over 200 children in Nicaragua, and nearly 100 children in Costa Rica. Since 2005, they have also established a medical assistance program to allow the children to receive medical treatment. In 2007, Kathy decided to dedicate her efforts full-time to further provide children educational access and enriching communities in Central America.

Their program director is Anielka Gutierrez, a former local Nicaraguan teacher. Anielka leads the team of volunteer staff who monitor the program. She addresses any obstacles which may prohibit the children from continuing their education and leads a parent committee to provide support to families and spearhead broader community improvement initiatives.

Empowerment International is a 501(c)3 organization, based in Lyons, Colorado.

One Focus: Girls' Educational Empowerment

"Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army."
said Edward Everette, the former US Secretary of State.

Education is power. It helps individuals to be aware of their rights, to make rational decisions and to protect themselves against abuse and oppression. However, millions of people around the world are being denied access to education and the vast majority are women. UNICEF believes for every 100 boys that are out of school, there are 115 girls in the same situation across the world. There are several deep rooted social, religious and cultural norms that serve to exclude women from receiving an education and thereby, occupying a position of power and authority.

Lack of education has an impact through out a woman’s life cycle. Even before birth, female fetuses are killed in countries like India and China where the birth of a baby girl is not preferred. This is because a girl would lead to greater financial burden on the family. In the middle years, girls face another type of discrimination. They lack access to education. Many of them have to help out with the household work and take care of their siblings instead of going to school or playing. Although the rates of girls’ primary education have improved in most countries, only 43 percent of girls in the developing world attend secondary school.

Without an education...

• Adolescent mothers are less likely to seek medical attention and as a result the rates of infant and maternal mortality are higher in these cases.
• Uneducated mothers are also not aware of the nutritional choices for their children. This leads to problems like malnutrition and anemia among the children.
• They are less likely to send their own children to school and often do not participate in the labor force or the political process.
• They rarely have any say in the household affairs. Men often control every aspect of their lives including their freedom, mobility and health care.
• As they grow into old age, women face the double discrimination of age and gender. They are again, totally depend on men as they don't have any savings and security of their own.

Poverty, lack of education and few opportunities epitomize the lives of many women in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The country has exceptionally high maternal mortality rate and adolescent mothers account for 1 in 4 births. Women constitute only 30 percent of the labor force and they also play a limited role in the political process.

Education is the only tool that can break this intergenerational cycle of oppression, abuse, and poverty for women. Education has the power to transform societies. Educated women are more aware of their rights. They are likely to have fewer and healthier children. They can protect themselves against diseases like HIV and AIDS. They are more likely to send their children to school. A greater participation of educated women in the economy and political process would lead to a better world today as well as future generations.

Aristotle once said
"The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead."

It is time for all the people and their governments across the world to realize this and join together to make education an international priority. It is the responsibility of all educated citizens of the world to help our fellow beings live better lives.

~ by Shamala Pulugurtha

Tell a friend