Nicaragua
Compassion started working in Nicaragua in 2002. Today, there are over 56,000 children registered in our programs through 181 church partners.
years is the average life expectancy
of people over 15 cannot read or write
lack access to improved sanitation
Nicaragua spiralled into crisis in 2018, with political protest erupting into widespread violence. Thousands have fled the country, most heading south into Costa Rica, and life is increasingly difficult.
In April, the Ortega government announced reforms to Nicaragua’s pension system. The announcement was greeted by initial protests that were crushed by pro-government groups, but the heavy-handed response triggered widespread outrage, mass protests across the country, and ever more violence.
More than 300 people have been killed and thousands injured since protests began. Protestors blame security forces and paramilitary groups for the violence, while the authorities have labelled the protestors “terrorists” and continued to back riot police and other groups who are using live ammunition against them.
The Catholic church has offered to mediate the stand-off and been turned down. Protestors are demanding President Ortega’s resignation; the President—a former revolutionary himself—claims he still has majority popular support and won’t step down or call an early election. The next election is not due until 2021 and there is no resolution in sight. Meanwhile, the economic conditions are deteriorating; work is scarce and more and more people are struggling to meet their basic needs.
In the years before this new conflict swept the nation, Nicaragua had been making progress: its economy was growing and it had largely avoided the cartel and gang-related crime racking its northern neighbours, El Salvador and Honduras. Now it faces deep uncertainty and the risk of thousands slipping even further into poverty.
Dear Sponsor, Dear brothers and sisters, it is a privilege for me to write and greet all of you. My name is William José Gutiérrez Rojas. During 14 years, since 2003, I have been the Country Director of Compassion Nicaragua, located in Central America. It has been more than 16 years since the ministry was launched in this country; among challenges, we are helping more than 56,000 children, to release them from poverty in Jesus’ name. They are supported by 181 church partners.
open_in_new Read full letterWilmer’s father worked in farming, but at the beginning of 2016 he left the family and did not return. He gave no warning and left his children devastated. In his absence, Wilmer’s mother, Elvira, began to make and sell tortillas to provide for the family. Every day at 4am, she rose to grind the corn to make the tortillas.
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