Today we learn and are ready to set out! We are looking forward to doing good:)
We are leaving in good hands- Elisa, Katia, Tagnia, Andrea & Frank are leading our teams.
There are 6.1 million people in Nicaragua and the country remains the second poorest country in Latin America. 80% of the country is age 40 years old and younger...30% of all children suffer from malnourishment. 1 of every 4 children DIE under the age of 5 years old. Our hearts are heavy from that statistic. 24% of children are in the labor force and not in school. 51.6 % of the population is underemployed.
Why does habitat Nicaragua exist? 78% of families are living in inadequate housing. 45% has dirt floors and 75% of families have no toilet. Weather plays a huge part in the inadequate housing due to earthquake and hurricane. Hurricane Mitch killed 3200 people, and hurricane Felix destroyed 3 entire communities. Homes built are roughly 480sq.ft. Each house costs roughly $5,000.00
Where are we building? San Jose (Km 54) in a community now building for 80 families with a monthly income below $200.00. Habitat leads workshops in financial education, healthy living, and secure tenure (land ownership). Each home is made from reinforced masonry. Concrete floor, 26 gauge metal roof, 4 windows, 2 doors, 1 division dry-wall, 2 bedrooms. Kitchens are now outside. Porch is 12 sq meters.
Families: A single mother, her parents in-law are elderly and live with her. She lost her husband in a car accident and she has 2 children. She works at a hotel near the beach and makes 85.00/ mo.
A 31 year old widow. Lost her husband in a motorcycle accident. She has 3 children. She works selling seafood at the farmers market. It takes her 2.5 hours to commute to work each way. She takes her 2 year old to work with her, because she has no one else to care for him.
A 74 year old widow. She has been responsible for her 18 children since her husbands passing many years ago. Her daughter, Sonjia, has Down Syndrome and Sonjia got pregnant at 13 and now cares for her grandson also. All 18 children, 1 grandson, and Maria share one room and have no sanitary facilities.
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