Though constantly faced with the challenges of excessive rain, degraded soils and remoteness, SHI participants in Nicaragua’s unique South Atlantic Autonomous Region are making headway to improve their livelihoods and build healthy soils and ecosystems. Forty-five families working with SHI from the remote districts of Kukra RIver and Kukra Hill travel to the region’s capital, Bluefields once or twice a month. With SHI’s support, the group is working together to market their harvests and improve their business skills.

From April - June 2011, participant families:
• planted 9,275 trees
• started 21 new vermiculture (worm casting) projects
• converted 12 acres to organic and sustainable agriculture
• started 14,566 seedlings in a nursery.

By the close of fiscal year 2011, participating families planted a total of 22,970 trees.