Funds raised will support CO2 Bambu in building a shelter for battered women in rural Nicaragua (see attached details). CO2 is a construction firm committed to revolutionizing Central America's housing landscape through the use of sustainable, affordable bamboo. A small portion of funds will be given to Agora Partnerships, CO2's 501c3 partner, who works with the most promising entrepreneurs in Central America, offering advisory services and access to financial, human, and social capital.
Muelle de los Bueyes is hoping to expand the scope of services it provides to women and children in its community. Central to this effort is the existence of a welcoming and safe building that will shelter victims of domestic violence -- to start -- and eventually host healthcare, literacy-related, and other needed assistance. The local government has appointed CO2 to build this structure, recognizing that environmentally-sustainable and sturdy infrastructure is core to their vision.
CO2 Bambu provides affordable, environmentally-friendly, and fast solutions to underserved populations. Battered women are particularly underserved, lacking both the social safety nets and safe havens needed to leave abusive relationships. CO2's efforts specifically address their needs and, more broadly, usher in an era of more eco-friendly housing. Bamboo's characteristics, specifically its flexibility and strength, are ideal for hurricane-prone countries.
The construction of a shelter for battered women is the first step in Muelle de los Bueyes's efforts to extend more substantive services to the community's women and children. CO2 is invested in the project not only because it provides an opportunity to demonstrate the viability of bamboo structures, but because it is foundational to improving the quality of life of the region's citizens. CO2's projects provide year-round jobs, with competitive wages, in a region with 80% unemployment.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
