The backbone of NICA's work, Somos El Cambio was founded in 2006 to address the urgent need for food and construction materials of individuals living in rural Nicaragua. Somos El Cambio means, "we make change."  NICA identified community projects that individuals could do in exchange for necessities, necesities that would change their quality of life, their town, their country.

Participants in the program work in the five critical areas that make a community strong: education, public health, environment, commerce development & infrastructure. Projects range from cleaning the streets, teaching in an after-school program, leading conversations on family planning or teaching women how to sew. 

In exchange for simple yet important activities in the community, NICA pays residents in the form of benefits valued at U$70.00 each 13 weeks. The residents work 6 hours a week or 78 hours each period. NICA does not pay in cash since the objective of the program is to deliver items the residents need to improve their quality of life.

In return, the community improves by having active participants improving the community and improving their personal lives. Over 30 homes have been built since the program's inception and hundreds have been repaired. 1000s of meals have been served from the food earned under this program.

This program has had measurable positive impact in rural Nicaragua, and is part of NICA's annual plan each year in El Transito.

A $35 donation keeps a participant employed in the program for a month; $100 keeps them employed for the full quarter. Support the work today and see your donation make a true difference!