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Nicaragua

Ana Maria Guttierez on a horse in the community of Cerro Bonito [Marcella Haddad]

CAFOD supports community development in poor rural areas of Nicaragua through housing, health, education and water projects. [Marcella Haddad]

One of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, with an estimated 4.3 million people living in poverty. Half the active population is unemployed or underemployed

Despite having an abundance of land and natural resources, Nicaragua is unable to produce enough food to feed its population.

Severe hardship in rural areas has led to an increase in migration, as government support for agriculture is mainly for large-scale exports.

Small-scale farmers are under pressure due to the collapse of several banks and agricultural co-operatives.

CAFOD spent £175,658 in 2010/2011 on housing, health, agriculture, education, water and human rights programmes.

Land tenure is also problematic, with former large landowners trying to pressure the government to recover their estates.

Strength within the communities

Ana Maria Gutierrez started working with the John XXIII Institute after Hurricane Mitch, and quickly realised the potential for developing whole communities after a major disaster

What CAFOD spends its money on

How much does CAFOD spend on administration and generating funds?
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Does the money reach the people for whom it is intended?
How does CAFOD decide which project or programme to fund?
Why does CAFOD spend a percentage of its funds on education, campaigning and public policy work?
Does CAFOD only fund Catholic organisations?
Why doesn’t CAFOD work with poor people in the UK?
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Domingo Rodriguez and his children in his new house [Marcella Haddad]

Building homes, building communities

Domingo Rodriguez lives in Cerro Pando in Nicaragua. He works as a carpenter, building houses as part of the John XXIII Institute’s housing project.

Lent promises to change the world

Chucking the chocolates and bottling the booze are some of the things we aim to give up over Lent. On Ash Wednesday (17th February), we are sending out a rallying call to join us and 'give it up!’

Roberto and Leonarda Toruño in their new home

New homes, clean water

People in the community of Las Lajas built 20 new homes in just three weeks and now have 14 public water fountains with support from the John XXIIII Institute

Published on 21/12/2006, last updated on 13/09/2011

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CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales

Nicaragua