| La Primavera is one of the poorest neighborhoods of Managua. It is also one of the largest, with a population of over 25,000. It lies on the shores of Lake Managua, one of the most polluted lakes in the world. In the lake side settlement of La Primavera, where Women in Action is located and carries out projects, nearly 80% of the households are headed by women. Many of the women became mothers at a very young age and continue to have children through child bearing age. With little or no education, training, or employment opportunities, they are left to pick through garbage, work as street vendors, send their children to beg, or resort to prostitution. Many families go hungry.
In October of 2000, against incredible odds, the women of the settlement formed WIA in order to answer the needs of the community. Since that time, WIA have worked hard together to carry out several successful projects that are dramatically improving community health and nutrition, providing educational opportunities for adults and children, and offering sources of income for families. |
