Vida Tranquila

Today was my first day of work with the FDL. Excited to be out doing something for the day I awoke to my alarm ,got ready, and was about to go get breakfast when I looked at my watch and realized it was only 6:30, and I didn't have to be there until 8:30. Looks like I forgot to adjust my alarm to the time change...oops!

You can check out the organization I am working for at http://www.fdl.org.ni/index.en. They are an NGO and one of the largest Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in Nicaragua. The difference between them and other Nicaraguan MFIs is that the majority of their portfolio consists of the poorest rural farmers, rather than the richest of the poor (not that there's anything wrong with helping the richest of the poor-oxymoronic?). While interning with the FDL I will be developing a report and action plan to obtain funds from the United States to improve such things as information systems which help to regulate MFIs.

MFIs and other related organizations have proven to be effective in helping relieve poverty. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in Central America with 46% of the population living in poverty (less than $2 a day) and 15% living in extreme poverty (less than $1 a day).

The majority of the poverty is concentrated in rural areas; however, it is still prevalent in big cities such as Managua (where I am). Just the other day when I was waiting for a taxi after the theater I looked up across the street to see a big field filled with tents made from tarps and garbage bags. They were homes to hundreds of men, women and children. Should I even mention that it had just stopped terentially down pouring?

Suddenly my problems felt pretty insignificant. I hailed a cab and headed back to my hostal. The taxi ride back took about five minutes, and once in the neighborhood of los robles you would think you were in a different country. The street I live on is lined with cute homes that often serve as businesses as well. All of them are walled in, open aired and brightly colored. They generally have a garden in the front or back and a nice car or two parked in the driveway. Grant it I have a few critters crawling around my room, but they are just good company (except for the spiders which I killed...all by myself).

The Hostal, or guesthome, where I am staying is run by Dona Ida (Dona is a term of respect, like Mrs.), and there are 5 bedrooms for guests. Also living in the house are her husband, son and two housekeepers. The one housekeeper, Natalia, takes good care of me. She works every day from about 5 in the morning until 10 at night. She and the other housekeeper clean, cook and do all the laundry. Natalia is only 19. She attends school on Saturdays and is trying to learn english. Most nights we sit together in the kitchen and I help her with her English homework, and she laughs at my attempt to speak spanish. I can't help but wonder when she ever gets to go have fun, but I know she is probably a lot better off then the rest of her family that lives in a rural town outside of managua.

Often times I have gotten irritated by the fact that my travelling is limited because I am alone, and that I can't go out after 7:00 because it gets dark. I felt like I was going to miss out on seeing and doing so many different things, but now I'm begining to realize that if other people were here with me I would probably miss out on the relationships I'm forming with the local people here.

That's all for now, but if anyone reading this is interested in getting involved with microfinancing I strongly encougae you to check out the website www.kiva.org. It's a great example of how technology can be used to make a difference, as it allows you to help people from all of the world with a few simple clicks.

Hasta Luego!