News
Feb 28, 2010
Artisan training well recieved by participants
Esperanza en Accion's training took place in Managua the 22-24th of February with 25 artisans in attendence. This training was given in collaboration with IMPYME, a local government branch that tailors it's services to small and medium business owners in Nicaragua. Artisans spent two days learning about quality control, product promotion and how to create a saving plan in addition to sharing information about their lives and their work.
Participants were extremely excited about the opportunity to learn from each other and share their experiences as artisans. The response was overwhelmingly positive and when asked what they would change for the next training they responded 'More frequent trainings!' This is something we are hoping to give them in the future.
Be sure to check out our Flickr page (www.flickr.com/photos/esperanzaenaccion) to see pictures from this training.
February, 18, 2010
Artisan Training Planned for February 22-24
One representative from each of the 25 artisan groups we work with will be attending a training in Managua sponsored by Esperanza en Accion. The training will cover the topics of How to Promote a Product, Quality Norms in Nicaragua as well as information about Production Costs. This is the first training of 2010 and we are excited to share the outcome of this training series.
February, 5, 2010
The Small Loan Program is a Sucess
Today we made a loan to the Expoventa stone carvers group. It was our largest yet, a total of $600 that will allow them to travel and mine more stone to work with.
During a recent visit the members of the group shared with us their difficulty of obtaining materials due to the high cost of the transport to and from the mine. Trinindad, one of the founding members said the following: "This is all we have. If we lose this job the only thing left for us to do is to immigrate out of Nicaragua."
This loan will help the members to purchase more materials so they can continue to support themselves and their families through the sale of their artwork.
January, 11, 2010
Read all about it!
Esperanza en Acción was mentioned in the "Lansing State Journal", a Lansing, Michigan newspaper. Esperanza en Acción was the inspiration for Gail Catron to open her small fair trade store in the heart of Lansing. Read the article: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100111/NEWS03/1110325/1004/NEWS03