Elena is a single mother living in an impoverished, rural town in Nicaragua. She spends most days frying bananas to sell on the streets, or doing laundry for money to put food on the table. She has been abandoned by the men in her life. Her father died three years ago leaving debts and a mortgage behind. Her son's father is deep in debt with usurious lenders. She had to sell appliances to pay his debts and feed their child.
Elena is due to give birth to her second child any day, and the father has moved on to another woman and is not supporting her financially. She has had medical complications with this pregnancy, so not only has she been sick, but she will also require a cesarean section. She has no food for her son while she is in the hospital.
Her story is not unique, as most folks in this part of the world are struggling and have corrupt, unhelpful governments. There is no social service she can call upon, and it costs hundreds of dollars just to get a package from the US to her remote location. Options to improve her life on her own are nonexistent, and she is so tired of asking for help and wondering if she will make it through the next day.
She is not the only one, but with some support, her suffering could be lessened and she could possibly carve out a better future.
She has dreams of starting her own business, a small pulperia (grocery store) so she can earn an honest living and have sustainable income, releasing her from reliance on others. Even a small amount is helpful to her in this time, but with enough help for capital, she could look toward an actual future of self-reliance and stability for her children.
