Nicaragua Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Capital Managua

Population 5.9 million

People Mestizo (mixed Amerindian & white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Language Spanish, English, Miskito, other indigenous languages

Religion Roman Catholic 72.9%, Evangelical 15.1%, Moravian 1.5%, Episcopal 0.1%, other 1.9%, none 8.5%

Literacy rate 67.5%

Life expectancy 71.7 years

% Living below $1/day 45%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2008, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Nicaragua

Nicaragua is one of the poorest Central American countries because of nearly two centuries of dictatorships, civil wars and natural disasters. The country is slowly rebuilding its economy, but mismanagement, corruption and exploitation still pose serious problems.

Natural disasters caused massive destruction to infrastructure and agriculture and the drop in coffee prices badly affected those dependent on the industry for their living. Many parents find it difficult to provide for their families and to work towards a better future for their children.

A third of all children are malnourished and only 29 per cent of children finish their primary schooling, with many families unable to afford the costs. In extreme cases, the children are forced into labour, with an estimated 167,000 children currently in the work force.

The maternal mortality rate is very high and adolescent pregnancies account for a quarter of all births. There is also limited access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas, leaving children vulnerable to illness. Sexual exploitation, drug use and violence are also increasingly affecting children and the existence of over 76,000 landmines continues to be a danger.

Compassion’s work in Nicaragua began in 2002 and today more than 29,000 children are registered in over 133 projects. Compassion’s goal is to reach out to the children in Nicaragua, giving them the opportunity to rise above their circumstances and become all God has created them to be.

Compassion Nicaragua does not have any Child Survival Programmes yet.

Over 29,000 children are currently being assisted in more than 133 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Nicaragua.

Compassion Nicaragua does not have any Leadership Development Programme students yet.