Young Entrepreneurs

2018 marks the start of SosteNica’s second round of training for young Nicaraguan entrepreneurs. Our first group graduated at the end of last year, after seven months of training. This year, a whole new group of students have begun receiving preparation, having already received four formal classes. The social unrest in Nicaragua has had some negative impacts on the timing of our program but our students remain enthusiastic and committed.

As was the plan originally, last year’s top performers have begun receiving financial credit towards the launch of their new businesses. SosteNica is currencly supporting three of these rural businesses with technical assistance. We coach them in diversification of their fruit and vegetable crops high in demand at the local markets. We are also supporting young farmers who want to expand into honey production by taking on hives, following an extensive training in apiculture. Their goal is to sell, not only honey, but also value added products.

We recently interviewed one of these new bee keepers (Danny) for this report. Danny lives in the village of Copatepe, 8.5 miles outside of Nagarote.

“I attended all of the lectures and classes that SosteNica was offering during the past seven months. At the outset, I had no fixed idea of what kind of business I would start. I liked the idea of livestock because it’s something I have experience doing. But when I thought about bees, I realized that they, unlike cows, don’t have to ask permission to go into a neighbor’s farm. They are well organized, needed for the environment, produce quickly and generate income through the sale of the honey. Taking all this into consideration, I decided to start a small honey business, with the help of the Young Entrepreneurs program.” said Danny.

The Young Entrepreneurs Program has already supported Danny with $1,200 in seed funding to incubate his honey business.

He continued: “With these needed funds I was able to start my buisiness. I’ve purchased ten hives. I’ve stayed focused on the capital side of investments. I bought bee boxes, but not the bees yet. God willing, within a year my bees will have doubled their number and I will grow my business from 10 hives to 20.”

It's thanks to the support of donors like you that dozens of young entrepreneurs in the Nagarote area are receiving training, starting small businesses and contributing to the local Nicaraguan economy.  Isn't this the best way to protect the US from unwanted illegal immigration?  SosteNica, through your support, is helping young people to stay in their home country, proud of the creative work they are doing.