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Frequent natural disasters make life increasingly difficult for Nicaraguan families in poverty. Chronic malnutrition is a serious concern affecting nearly one in five local children, and over a quarter of the population lack access to basic sanitation facilities like toilets.

Our local church partners in Nicaragua are passionate about bringing hope and lasting change to their communities—and they do this in many different ways. One centre in Las Mojarras has helped families plant crops and install irrigation to provide both food and income during the relentless summer months.

Two other centres empowered local teenagers with entrepreneurial skills and resources to start small businesses selling handmade pinatas and hammocks. In Miralagos, expectant mothers are building lifelong friendships with one another and the local church through a sewing course together.

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How you can pray

Thank you for praying for the children, families and local church partners we serve in Nicaragua.

Please join us in praying for the following:

  • Pray for those in rural communities who are struggling due to flooding in the rainy season.
  • Pray for children who are currently malnourished. Pray that the provision of food packs will continue to foster their holistic development.
  • Pray for the local mothers and infants participating in our Mums and Babies program—pray for their healthy growth and development during this critical stage of life.
  • Pray that God will bless those who are learning entrepreneurial skills with stable income in the future.
  • Pray for wisdom for the leadership team of Compassion Nicaragua, that they may know how to best equip local churches in difficult circumstances.
  • Pray that the people of Nicaragua will see economic progress restored.
Sowing for the future

Sowing for the future

A community in Nicaragua's desert-like wilderness joins forces to plant flourishing community gardens. It's a thriving source of income, and everybody is invited to join in the fun!   Read more open_in_new

Sowing for the future

In the desert-like wilderness of Las Mojarras, Nicaragua, it seems almost impossible to imagine vegetation springing to life.

But local Compassion centre director, Andres, uncovered a way to provide caregivers with seeds so they could plant and generate their own source of income.

By dividing the families into groups of five so the workload wasn't overwhelming, parents and children went to work to create flourising community gardens.

This creative solution taught local families new skills, and created a change in their perspective. Where once they had only seen dry and barren land, now they were beginning to imagine what it could become.

Donald, a father of two children enrolled in the local project, said it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

"My house is four blocks from the river, which is the main source of water in the community, but I didn't have the resources to create a watering system. When the Compassion centre saw this, they helped me source materials to connect the pipes to the land where the crops would grow," says Donald.

"I would have continued thinking that I had to work for someone else, but with the resources Compassion provided me with, I knew that the Lord was giving me a chance to make my dreams come true and have my own source of income."

A snapshot of Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program in Nicaragua

Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.

  • Children aged 1 to 3 receive home-based care and attend one group activity at the Compassion centre each month.
  • Children aged 4 to 12 visit the Compassion centre for six to eight hours a week across three days.
  • Students aged 12 and older attend the centre for four hours twice a week to learn vocational skills.
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Compassion Program Activities in Nicaragua

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Compassion assisted children in Nicaragua typically attend program activities at their local child development centre after school and on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Nicaragua.

Devotional time - Children learn to pray.

Spiritual lessons - Children sing songs and learn Bible stories.

Break time - Children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.

Social-emotional lessons - Children learn conflict resolution skills and how to develop healthy self-esteem. Many children come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.

Lunch and social time - Children usually receive a meal consisting of rice, meat, tortilla and natural juice, tea or cereal. Children sometimes receive a snack of fruit salad, rice with milk or a thick hot drink made from corn meal.

Health lessons - Children learn practical health and hygiene tips.

Letter writing and career planning - Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.

The children also enjoy camps, sports, field trips and art. Students can participate in vocational training workshops in music, computer literacy, sewing, carpentry, baking, hair styling, entrepreneurship and handicrafts. Parents and caregivers meet monthly.

The greatest needs impacting children living in poverty in Nicaragua

3.9%

of people live below the international poverty line

17%

of people over the age of 15 cannot read and write

27%

of people lack access to basic sanitation

Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America and home to the only known freshwater sharks in the world. Poetry and baseball are both important parts of local culture and draw international attention. The majority of the population speak Spanish, and Catholicism is the most predominant religion.

Poetry is one of Nicaragua's most beloved arts. Rubén Darío (1867-1916) is known as the 'Prince of Spanish-American literature', and recent work by Nicaraguan poets, fiction writers and essayists can be found in most bookstores. Earthquakes and war have obliterated much tangible evidence of Nicaragua's cultural heritage, especially its colonial architecture, although León retains many fine, old buildings.

From 2000 to 2017, Nicaragua was making progress: its economy was growing steadily and it had largely avoided the cartel and gang-related crime racking its northern neighbours, El Salvador and Honduras. However, between 2018 to 2019, Nicaragua experienced a period of social and political unrest after social security reforms were proposed. This crisis, combined with frequent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, led to an economic downturn and a rise in poverty.

Chronic malnutrition is a serious concern affecting nearly one in five local children, and over a quarter of the population lack access to basic sanitation facilities like toilets.

Compassion began partnering with the local church in Nicaragua in 2002. Our church partners are passionate about bringing hope and lasting change to their communities—and they do this by empowering youth and caregivers with entrepreneurial skills, strengthening family relationships, fighting childhood malnutrition and much more.

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Stories from Compassion around the world

14 Mar, 2018

Why Do My Sponsored Child's Letters Sound the Same?

It can be disappointing if your sponsored child hasn’t responded to your questions or even mentioned the letter you sent them. Here’s why this could be happening, plus handy tips to prevent it. .. Read more

12 Apr, 2018

What Possessions Do Children Living in Poverty Treasure Most?

From remote, isolated tribal communities to bustling cities and crowded slums, 10 children in our Child Sponsorship Program share their treasured possessions. These are their beautiful, surprising and funny answers... Read more

23 Apr, 2018

Have You Sent These Things to Your Sponsored Child?

Wondering what you can send to your sponsored child? Read on for the items you can include with your letters, plus learn what not to send... Read more