Our residential program for girls in Nicaragua, Villa Esperanza (Village of Hope), was established in 2008 as a response to the urgent situation many girls where facing living in Nicaragua’s largest open-air landfill. These girls were exposed to extreme filth and severe malnutrition, at risk of physical abuse, rape, drug abuse, pregnancy – and were sometimes sold into prostitution by their family for first access to incoming garbage.
Villa Esperanza was created to give these girls an opportunity to live in a safe, supportive environment, get healthy, learn life-skills, get an education and pursue a career – something that for many would’ve only been a dream. Since the Villa opened, more than 70 girls have been rescued, introduced to Jesus and the healing power of the Gospel, and offered the chance to fulfill their God-given potential!
Perla lived her childhood in a Nicaraguan garbage dump, but after 10 years of ongoing support from Villa supporters, was able to break free of material poverty and pursue God’s plan for her life.
As other needs in the community have risen, Villa Esperanza has sought to meet them. Here are all the ways Villa Esperanza ministers in Nicaragua.
Providing teenage boys and girls with necessary items for their education (uniforms, supplies, bus fares, etc.) and regular spiritual discipleship so they can pursue a quality education and a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ.
A twice-annual, five-day discipleship camp for boys (as well as monthly one-day retreats) to provide vocational training, recreational activities, and a Christian mentoring atmosphere, teaching them life skills and how to become spiritual leaders in their families and communities.
Providing a residential haven for bright, motivated young women coming from extremely difficult circumstances that would prevent them from flourishing. This exclusive live-in situation is designed to equip and empower young women with the potential to be future leaders and influencers in Nicaragua.
A poverty-prevention training program aimed at fighting Latin America’s highest teen pregnancy rate (30% become teen mothers), which many call the “door” to repeated poverty. This program teaches the Gospel and the value of sexual abstinence to thousands of teens in the Nicaragua public school system.
Visiting Forward Edge mission teams will continue to invest in local schools, churches, and communities with maintenance and construction projects, evangelism and discipleship.
Plans are being made to begin regular discipleship, tutoring, and health check-ups to local primary school-aged boys and girls at the Villa campus.
Please consider Joining the Village at any monthly amount, to sustain this vital program for the people and communities suffering from poverty in Nicaragua.
Only 15% of your gift to our programs will be set aside for administration and fundraising costs.
Our children’s programs have proven effective towards long-term, holistic transformation.
Your investment empowers credible nationals caring for their own people & community.
We help the most vulnerable disaster survivors return home (widows, low-income families, single moms, & the elderly).
