NICARAGUA BACKGROUND 

Much of Nicaragua's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed during the war between the Contras and the Sandinistas in the 1980s. The US staged economic blockade from 1985 onwards, left the country in further shambles. Inflation averaged 30% throughout the 1980s and after the United States trade embargo, Nicaragua's inflation rose dramatically. The 1985 annual rate of 220% skyrocketed to more than 13,000% in 1988 - the highest rate for any country in the Western Hemisphere in that year.

Following the end of the war and the defeat of the Sandinistas in the 1990 general election, Nicaragua began free market reforms. Since then, more than 350 state enterprises were privatized, reducing inflation from 13,500% to 9.6% and cutting the foreign debt in half.

Nicaragua is currently the 2^nd most impoverished country in Latin America (2^nd to Haiti) and ranks 39% highest for inflation in the world according to The World Bank. However, the reduction in inflation, economic growth and privatization has not helped with Nicaragua's many social issues. An estimated 48% 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 as their families need them to work.  

UNICEF Information ~ También en español

More Information on Nicaragua ~ También en español

EMPOWERMENT INTERNATIONAL IN NICARAGUA 

EI established a program in Granada, Nicaragua in 2004 where it has been working within an impoverished barrio outside the city called “Villa Esperanza”. In 2007, EI has grown the program, now giving over 200 children access to education. Since 2005 EI has also established a medical assistance program to allow the children to receive medical treatment.

A former Nicaraguan teacher, Anielka Gutierrez manages the program locally. She is currently leading the team of volunteer staff and addresses obstacles which may prohibit the children from continuing their education. In 2008, plans are in place to expand the program to rural barrios in Nicaragua. 

EI's Timeline in Nicaragua

COSTA RICA BACKGROUND

While Costa Rica has become a development success story within Latin America, as the country grows economically a wider gap between the wealthy and the poor has emerged; deteriorating incomes among the bottom 1/5 of the population have undermined poverty reduction efforts.

Literacy rates in Costa Rica are amongst the highest in Latin America. The government currently cites achieving universal education as a pivotal goal in achieving poverty reduction over the long-term.

UNICEF Information ~ También en español

More information on Costa Rica ~ También en español

EMPOWERMENT INTERNATIONAL IN COSTA RICA

EI was founded in Costa Rica in 1998, registered under the name Fundacion La Fuerza Unida (The United Force). Starting with just 8 children the first year, later enough money was raised to send 25 street children to school in the province of Alajuela.

The program has since grown and peaked in 2004 with 121 children in school, as the program was being launched in Nicaragua. Since then, the program has hovered around 100 children in schools with children out-growing the program or families relocating.