We first began working in the Latin America in 1979, when Trickle Up founders Glen and Mildred Leet provided seed capital to ten entrepreneurs in Dominica, West Indies.  The number of entrepreneurs who have received Trickle Up funds has since multiplied to more than 35,000.

During our presence there in the past 28 years, a number of factors have continued to fuel poverty in the region. Nicaragua, for instance, has struggled through war, natural disasters, and the steady decline of coffee and banana prices on the world market.  In Guatemala, large numbers of widows and single mothers are still reeling from the fallout of that nation’s 36-year civil war – even though accords ending that conflict were signed in 1996. Additionally, many countries in the region have seen an increase in migration from rural to urban areas, a demographic shift which has also exacerbated poverty.

In response, the Trickle Up Latin America program has formed strong partnerships with rural organizations which take a value-chain approach to increasing productivity and expanding access to markets.  We have made it a priority to reach out to women, people with disabilities, and indigenous populations.  Trickle Up also continues its work in urban areas, focusing on making alternative income sources available to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Partner Highlights

Trickle Up works in Guatemala with CARE, an organization devoted to reducing the high maternal mortality rate among indigenous populations.  By providing business capital and support, Trickle Up enables female entrepreneurs to augment family income. Increased financial contributions to the household boost women’s decision-making power regarding reproductive health and other family matters. 

SOLIDEZ in Nicaragua helps women with disabilities increase their income and social participation and exercise their political rights.  With Trickle Up, the organization empowers such women to improve their quality of life and even to provide for their families – sometimes for the first time in their lives.

Results

Reports from Fiscal Year 2006 show that in Latin America:

• 35,269 businesses have been launched or expanded since 1979, of which 3,518 were launched or expanded in 2006
• 74 percent of entrepreneurs are women
• 27 percent of entrepreneurs are under 27 years old
• 72 percent of entrepreneurs considered their Trickle Up business their primary source of income
  
  

Our Partner Agencies

Guatemala
Ak Tenamit
ASOGUADI
CARE
Ministry of Labor

Nicaragua
Cosecha Sostenible International
Dos Generaciones
FUMDEC
ODESAR
ProdeMujer
SOLIDEZ