Christ in the Garbage Ministries - Nicaragua
Christ in the Garbage Ministries (CIGM) in Nicaragua began in 2004, in Managua, Nicaragua at the main city dump called La Chureca. La Chureca covers 38 acres and is home to approximately 1,500 people, including many single mothers. More than 50% of the La Chureca population is children. CIGM in this country is focused on helping these single mothers learn a marketable skill that will offer them hope for the future. CIGM began delivering periodic food packages and praying with the residents. MSC wanted to do more in both dumps and decided to offer a free skills training program to those who were willing to access it.
After researching what would be best for the community, CIGM opened a sewing center near the dump in 2006. An enthusiastic group of missionaries from St. Brigid Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia, remodeled and furnished the first training centre in Managua and named it. A team of dedicated volunteers from St. Brigid’s and the parish continue to provide unprecedented support of the center and have adopted it as family.
The center has since moved locations and evolved into a more comprehensive Resource Center (Centro de Recursos). The center now offers additional classes in baking, English and mathematics. Childcare services are provided while mothers are attending classes. Over 20 women are actively attending various classes at the Resource Center.Christ in the Garbage Ministries continues to provide monthly food packages for the families of La Chureca.
To learn more about the history of the Resource Center, read the volunteer-created newsletter below:
