Republican News · Thursday 16 January 2002

Appeal for Nicaraguan farm

A group of Derry women have set up an appeal to help a cooperative farm in rural Nicaragua.

The Nicaragua Rural Women's Appeal is trying to raise £3,000 to help repay a loan taken out by the Leonel Valdivia Cooperative in Chaguitillo, after Hurricane Mitch devasted the farm in 1998.

The farm had managed to repay almost all the capital on the loan through their own labour and fundraising efforts, but now the final installment and interest is outstanding and the group cannot pay it without generating more income. To do this, they require more farming equipment and supplies than they currently have.

The cooperative is made up of 15 farming families and is one of the few surviving independent small farms left in the region. The Irish Women's Nicaragua Exchange Group visited the farm in 1993 and 1995 and it was featured in an RTE programme called "Breaking the Chains" which was broadcast last year.

As there is no state aid for small farmers in Nicaragua, an appeal has been issued to help the cooperative and save their land from being repossessed by the bank. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. The appeal is open until the end of February.

If you would like to help, contact the Nicaragua Rural Women's Appeal Committee in Derry at: (028) 71 264102.