After the effects of hurricanes Eta and Iota at the end of 2020, 95 of the far-

mers CANTERA supports through the seed bank project we’ve operated lost
their crops.

The communities CANTERA supports are located in the dry sector of the coun-
try, where rain is scarce, even in the rainy season. However, due to these recent
hurricanes, these communities experienced an excessive amount of rain in a
very short period of time, damaging 60% of farmers’ production.

In the community of La Ceiba, 52 families lost nearly all of their produce, leaving
them not only with economic loss but also significant food insecurity. Corn and
beans, which represent 90% of the Nicaraguan diet, were the most affected
crops.

So far, with the good management at four of Cantera’s seed banks, farmers
were able to plant again and corn production succeeded in the last two months.

How Seed Banks Although this greatly helped to alleviate some of the issues, the remaining seed
banks still need to strengthen their abilities to manage and commercialize in or-
der to store, sell and reproduce native seeds.

Saved Rural We hope to continue strengthening and developing the seed banks by providing
more administrative training workshops for farmers so they can help their own
Production communities, and provide a sustainable answer to devastating natural disasters
such as the ones experienced last year.

Young Entrepreneurs Network

Indira Fuentes, a youth from the San
Judas neighborhood, created Corte-
za,a micro-business that manufactures
hand-painted and plain bags.
Having participated in many CANTERA
trainings and workshops on leaders-
hip, environmental care, life skills, and
entrepreneurship over the past three
years, Indira has put her learning to
practice by creating and managing her
own business
gua, one of the main reasons many opt
to migrate to different countries. They
also promote community-based produc-
tion and strengthen support networks for
young people.
According to Indira, the whole idea be-
hind this micro-business is to have an
economic alternative that would give
youth the opportunity to work while si-
multaneously continuing with their stu-
dies.

Entrepreneurship workshops and If you would like to keep supporting

training are important because they projects like this, please go to:
offer creative solutions in the face of https://www.friendsofcantera.org/
the lack of job opportunities in Nicara- annual-fund.html

Friends of Cantera was founded in 1993 to support the programs of CANTERA in Nicaragua.
Friends of Cantera is recognized as a philanthropic 501(c)(3) non-profit by the IRS.
Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Find our most recent financial statement on www.guidestar.com

CANTERA and FOC stand in solidarity with all the victims of the Miami building collapse.
Our prayers are with them and their families.
 STUDYING
DURING
COVID-19
Despite the pandemic, most of our rural students who are part of our
BECA Program continue with their university and high school studies.
This is mainly due to promoters’ in-field work. Also, the COVID-19 relief
fund that CANTERA was able to receive last year from many donors
and foundations supported this effort. A Letter from Our Director
Despite all efforts to alleviate COVID-19
It has not been easy since opportunities in rural areas are scarce. Many
cases in Nicaragua including the vaccina-
students had to pause their studies due to the virtual nature of their
tion process which started in late March,
classes. The lack of computers and internet access made things extre-
the country is currently facing a rebound of
mely complicated. However, in spite of all these difficulties, most mana-
cases. Many of our staff have gotten the virus
ged to continue in some fashion.
lately, but we continue working even in these
difficult times. We know that this crisis, along
The main problem, of course, not only in rural areas but also in urban
with climate change and many other cha-
communities, is that students and professors were not ready for remote
llenges in Nicaragua which you probably are
learning because the educational system did not have the necessary
aware of, are both unique to Nicaragua but
tools and resources.
are also challenges we share in common.
We need joint actions in order to face them.
In the middle of 2020, many schools and universities, mostly public,
changed to a hybrid model of virtual learning during weekdays and
On behalf of all the Nicaraguans supported by
in-person classes for the rural students on Saturdays. Even though they
CANTERA, thank you. You help us to keep
had to travel to the city once a week, our 9 scholars took appropriate
going. We think of FOC and all our donors as
safety precautions and all stayed safe from COVID-19 while maintai-
an extended community fighting, as we are,
ning their education.
for social justice; this is why we gain strength,
courage and confidence from you. We have,
If you’d like to support our BECA scholarship program please visit:
with you, a common dream.
https://www.friendsofcantera.org/beca-scholarships-program.
html
Much love,
And if you are interested in helping Nicaraguan communities to respond
Anabel Torres, CSA
to COVID-19 we highly encourage you to support our COVID-19 relief
fund: https://www.friendsofcantera.org/covid-19-response.html

Join us supporting the people of Nicaragua! CANTERA COVID-19 RELIEF CAMPAIGN

Our Annual Fund support CANTERA’s work
in community development, youth empower-
ment, eadership, and gender equity.
Your support to the Annual Fund will be mat-
ched up to $25,000.00 by a generous donor!
https://www.friendsofcantera.org/an-
nual-fund.html
FOLLOW US!
www.friendsofcantera.org
Despide all efforts to alleviate Covid 19 cases in Ni-
caragua and the vaccination process, a rebound in
the country has emerged. Please consider making
a donation to ensure elders and youth get support
$30.00 Prepaid telephone balance for one promoter
$50.00 Prevention kit for one family
$100.00 Food Package for one family

https: //www.friendsofcantera.org/co-
vid-19-response.html
Friends of Cantera friendsofcantera

Online Amazon Smile By Mail

Go to our website Shop at smile.amazon.org, Friends of Cantera, Inc.
MAKE A GIFT friendsofcantera.org Choose Friends of Cantera C/o M.Rose, Treasurer
And click on Donate Now! And Amazon will donate .5% PO Box 86233
Of your purchase to FoC! Baton Rouge, LA 70879