LaFlor (The Flower) Models Sustainability

September 4, 2011

LaFlor is a small community situated at the top of a moutain in Nicarauga's cloud forest. It's home to 58 farming and coffee-picking families... all of whom live on less than $2 per day. "La Flor" means "the flower" and the beauty of the area is true to the name.

But life in LaFlor is a challenge. There's no vehicle access so every trip to the market or the doctor or anywhere means a half-mile walk up and down a steep, rocky hillside, across a suspension bridge to the highway/bus stop-- carrying crops for market or bricks for building or groceries for the family on your back!

The housing is deplorable, many families don't even have a latrine, and they've only had electricity in the community for six months. But the determination of the people to improve their community... and their spirit of hope, and cooperation is even more beautiful than the landscape.

Three years ago their JustHope Partners, Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, joined with them to build a community center. Today the center reflects significant care and improvements made by the community without any outside help.

Two years ago, the Partners built a clean water system. The community leaders created a payment system that allows for repairs, and a schedule that includes every family in the cleaning and maintenance of the system. It's completely self-sustaining.

Last year, birthing a Community Store -- "Tienda LaFlor" was the partner-project. Beautitudes donated inventory for one year and worked with them to create an accounting and inventory system. Then they built the building together.

Today, the store's revolving fund keeps inventory in place, and they are making plans to expand what they sell. The small profit from the store pays for a variety of community projects (like painting the school) It's less than a year old and already "Tienda La Flor" is completely self-sustaining--a feat that is almost unheard of in Nicaragua's poorest communities!

La Flor is thrilled with their partnership, excited about the changes in their community, and very, very proud to be a budding as a "flower" of sustainability in Nicaragua!