To combat poverty in the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Opportunity has implemented a community economic development initiative in Nicaragua.

Our programs provide training and finance for small and medium enterprises in Granada’s most promising industries—tourism and agriculture. Opportunity is helping individuals like Silvia Elena Canda, who learned how to hand-filigree jicarogourds from her aunts when she was 11 years old. In 2006, she and 32 other women formed the Women’s Artisan Cooperative, and now work with Opportunity to sell their unique products and develop new ones under the “Ojala!” (“by God’s will”) brand.

As the mother of a 1 ½-year-old girl, Silvia is proud to continue her family tradition and contribute to her household income.

This news from Nicaragua was published in the winter 2011 Impact newsletter. Read more here.