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Nicaragua:
Revisiting Homes for Hope

Housing is a basic human right. However, the growing demand and stagnating supply has created a housing shortage in many parts of the world which severely affects the most vulnerable communities. In developing countries like Nicaragua, where half of the population subsists on $2.00 or less a day, most Nicaraguans do not qualify for commercial housing loans and are stuck living in substandard conditions.

The devastations of Hurricane Mitch in 1998 exacerbated an already dire situation and led the Quixote Center to join forces with the Roncalli Institute's home building program to create a self-sustaining housing trust fund. This marked the beginning of our Homes for Hope program. Thanks to generous contributions from our donors, we were able to finance the construction of hundreds of homes.

This week, the Quixote Center returned to Nicaragua to revisit the Homes of Hope program. We suspended the program in 2021 because the Nicaraguan government shut down our long-term partner, Roncalli Institute. We traveled to the city of Leon and met with beneficiaries of the program who finished building their houses in 2016. It was incredible to see how many families from the housing cooperative "Manos Amigas" have already built extensions to their initial 1 or 2-bedroom units. Benito, a taxi driver, who managed to build three extra rooms, including a new kitchen and dining room, exclaimed "it's a dream come true!" He and his wife, who works in a nearby factory, can now provide their children, including their teenage daughter, the space and privacy they need.

Emma, a housing cooperative leader, was proud of their accomplishments. She emphasized the role of women in constructing the houses. She shared the benefits of working together and the mutual support in the housing cooperative.

"You get to know the people who are your neighbors, you build trust and can even rely on them to look after your children when we go in town."

The road to home ownership was not easy; it took them seven years between the time they acquired the land and the actual construction. They knocked on many doors and were turned down by many banks and microfinance institutions. The Roncalli Institute answered their call to help finance the construction and they were able to regularly make their monthly mortgage payments. Benito, who had been paying high rent for years and had experienced harassment from his landlord, said: "the first night I spent in my own house was the best night of my life, it took a huge weight off my back. It was a unique experience!"

Emma, who is currently a housewife, now looks forward to starting her own business to help build capital, along with her husband who works as a mechanic. They also want to invest in home improvements and extensions just like their neighbors. In the meantime, she overseas her neighbor's home projects while they are away at work. This all happens thanks to a housing cooperative model that is based in solidarity and mutual support that goes beyond cost saving incentives and enhances the social cohesion of the entire community.

The Quixote Center is delighted to see how their lives were transformed eight years after fulfilling their dream of acquiring their own homes. We spent the week revisiting former partners in Nicaragua as well as meeting other cooperatives with the hope to eventually reinitiate our programs in the country. Two years after suspending our Quest for Peace program we are now exploring several possible self-sustaining partnerships to help build systemic change for the most vulnerable Nicaraguans.

 

Stop Illegal Arms to Haiti
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Join our Solidarity Travel to Southern Mexico

From November 11th to 16th, 2024, join the Quixote Center and the Franciscan Network on Migration on our biannual Solidarity Travel as we examine first-hand the impact of U.S. policy on Mexico's southern border, and to meet with immigration rights advocates providing shelter and other services to migrants. Click on the Learn More button below for more information on how you can participate.

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Read reflections from previous trip participants
People Walk to America ([link removed])
Mexico is a Cemetery for Migrants ([link removed])
An Immigration Advocate on the Meaning of Solidarity ([link removed])
An Advocate's Reflection on the Quixote Center's Solidarity Trip ([link removed])
A Teacher's Reflections on the Quixote Center's Solidarity Trip ([link removed])

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Artist Corner

Maria Lugo is a Nicaraguan painter. Granddaughter of famed painter Genaro Lugo. Her work focuses on elements of nature, particularly flora. View more of her work HERE ([link removed]).

 

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