Programs

Mayeli's Story - Nicaragua Boaco Camoapa

Jose's Story - Nicaragua Boaco Camoapa

Success Stories

Rising Again

José Omar has lived in the community of Las Tunitas for 27 years. A lifelong farmer, he has cultivated corn, beans, and sorghum on rented land, relying on the climate and his daily effort to support his family. In recent years, prolonged droughts and irregular rains severely affected his harvests, causing economic losses and emotional strain.

Joining the World Renew program became a turning point. Despite past experiences with ineffective programs, José Omar decided to participate in the local Saving and Internal Lending Community group, gradually building confidence through disciplined saving and commitment.

With a loan of approximately $110, complemented by $27 from his own savings, he purchased a water pump motor, which allowed him to more easily irrigate his fields. He diversified his crops, planting watermelon, melon, and pipian (a white summer squash) and reducing his dependence on traditional staples. Although floods caused some losses, he earned around $820, with a net profit of $410. Part of these earnings went to purchase six chickens, improving his family’s egg consumption and advancing household food security.

Beyond economic gains, José Omar actively participates in both the local and regional Farmer Field Schools where he received training in poultry, pig, and fish farming. He is now leading the implementation of a Zamorano-style fish tank system (The Zamorano system is promoted throughout Nicaragua and Honduras for small-scale aquaculture. It uses a circular tank made of galvanized steel sheets with a liner), producing tilapia and serving as an irrigation method for the demonstration plot.

Despite the challenges José Omar has faced, the combination of practical training, ongoing support and access to finances have helped to increase his agricultural production, strengthen his confidence and encourage him to become a community leader. As he says, “It’s not just about money; it’s knowing that you can rise again.”

Nicaragua Boaco Camoapa is led by World Renew

Women Draw Strength from Their Savings Group

Daysi remembers her childhood as a beautiful period when her parents were able to devote a lot of time to her and her siblings. She’s proud that she’s been able to do the same for her own children, despite many challenges along the way. It all started when she joined a group of women as a member of a Savings and Internal Lending Community (SILC) when her oldest son was just a baby.

Daysi once believed that the only way to financial security was through a man. Life didn’t work out that way for her, but through the SILC, she developed a savings habit that helped her make solid choices. She launched a small natural products business with the money she’d saved, and it now provides her with a stable income.

What surprised her was how utterly her SILC would change her life. As she acquired skills and experience, she became more and more confident, eventually serving as her group’s secretary, promoter and then president. She honed her leadership and financial skills, and finally she realized she had a gift she never knew existed: an ability to inspire and support other women.

She learned to negotiate, mediate, and contribute to collective decision making that strengthened her SILC and also made raising her children easier. She never refers to herself any longer as “just a limited, single mom.” She sees herself as a capable entrepreneur in control of her future.

“The most profound transformation is the example I now set for my children: a woman who faces challenges with courage and conviction,” says Daysi. “I broke the cycle of economic dependence that burdened generations before me, and today I make choices from a place of freedom. I have peace of mind; I know I can handle emergencies and enjoy small pleasures without guilt or anxiety.”

Daysi continues, “Even my personal relationships have improved, thanks to the shared values cultivated in my group. My SILC helped me move from mere survival to a place of self-determination. Today, I understand that true independence isn’t just about having money. It’s about using it with intention. Every step I take is proof that when women are given real opportunities, we do not just improve our own lives—we transform the world around us.”

Nicaragua Boaco Camoapa Program
Led by World Renew