LIFT

The program started over 20 years ago as a program called Fast for Hope. The program started in a small rural community called El Corozo, there was much development of their leadership group and planning the community’s path forward. With assistance from the program, the community enhanced their health care by developing a community pharmacy, and provided children’s books to establish a children’s after school reading program.

The program was rebranded as “LIFT” in 2019. In 2021, a water system was developed for the community. The community formed and trained a formal Water Commission to oversee the operation and sustainability of the system. With the help of a Rotary Global Grant, the system was completed in 2022 with an 800 ft. deep borehole well, along with individual piping (complete with water meters) to all 110 homes in the community. Each resident pays a monthly fee for their water consumption. The system has been completely under the management of the local Water Commission, which has the capability and funding to assure long-term sustainability and success of the system.

Since 2022, the LIFT program has expanded to an additional four communities of Monte Verde, Guacucal, San Juan de Mombacho, and La Zorra. These communities each have their own unique resources and challenges, and our team has been working on creating opportunities in each of them.

In San Juan de Mombacho, a youth group of 16 and 17 year old youths learned how to produce an organic fertilizer using volcanic soil from near their community. The LIFT program helped them set up a corporation to produce and sell their product.

In the community of Monte Verde the LIFT team worked with the local co-op to introduce turmeric (a crop with high market value that grows well in Nicaragua). A successful pilot crop was harvested in March 2025 that brought a new source of revenue to these farmers.

In the community of La Zorra, most of the men in the community are outside the country trying to find work to support their families. To assist the community and create opportunities, a women’s co-op was formed and the LIFT program is working with them to create potential avenues to create revenue for their community. In 2025 this community joined the turmeric producers with a pilot crop of their own.

In 2025, leaders from the LIFT program and from PCF together formed an independent corporation in Nicaragua call SOPROSA. Since many of our communities are engaged in growing turmeric, it was determined that there was a need to process and distribute the turmeric from these farmers. That way, we can assure that the farmers are not only supported with the best agricultural guidance to optimize yields and quality, but the program can assure that the farmers always receive fair market pricing for their crops.

SOPROSA was developed through donations from Rotary District 5960 clubs and individuals, along with donations raised by PCF. A facility in La Union was located, infrastructure upgraded, and part of the structure was developed into a food-grade certified clean room facility for processing turmeric root into powder that is then packaged and sold. All proceeds from the sale of products from SOPROSA go back to support our producers and the LIFT program.

PCF: Our main partner in Nicaragua for facilitating the LIFT program is an NGO named Planting Change Foundation (PCF). PCF has a history of working with communities in Nicaragua, with a focus on community development, environmental issues, and youth programs. PCF was the overall project manager for the water project in El Corozo. In this capacity, PCF was instrumental in organizing and training the community water governance committee, collaborating with local governments, exploring and quoting various contractors, and managing timelines and payments. PCF also has our LIFT Community Coordinator on staff, who determines the LIFT communities, creates community assessments, and works regularly with the community to build relationships, learn from the community leaders, and work together to find realistic options that can help the community create economic opportunities. Since many of the opportunities involve agriculture, the LIFT program has also recently added an agronomist to our Nicaraguan staff.

Learn more about PCF here: https://www.plantingchangefoundation.org/

EWB: We worked very closely with Engineers Without Borders (EWB) (Nicaragua) on our water project in El Corozo. EWB has served as a technical consultant to contribute to, review, and approve, all water system designs and specifications.

OI: Opportunity International is an organization with a broad footprint in Nicaragua. They are a large international organization, that works in many countries, but has a unique “pilot” program for community economic development in Nicaragua. They are working with about 30 communities of their own and have a well-established process for assisting poor communities develop economically. Rotary LIFT has collaborated with OI in the past better understand the best practices of their community development work that could be applied to the LIFT program.

We maintain engagement with all of our communities and monitor their progress. The LIFT program has specific short-term and long-term goals for each community that were developed by the community themselves, with our support. The LIFT program then prioritizes where we can apply our main efforts based on availability of resources, costs, and likelihood of success.

The number of farmers producing turmeric has increased from 11 farmers in 2024 to 19 now with the planting in March 2026. This has been viewed very positively by the participating farmers and there is very good chance for long-term engagement and positive impact to the communities.

The solutions aren’t just turmeric, though. The LIFT program is working with each farmer to not only increase their yield, but to diversify their crops. In addition to market value crops, the LIFT team is looking for other opportunities for revenue generation in our communities.

LIFT is committed to achieve continued successful revenue generation and growth in the communities where we are working. Once revenue generation has commenced, our team will also look for important infrastructure projects in these communities where significant areas of need can be addressed.

With the growth of the LIFT program itself with support from donations, the program can add staff and capability to continue to increase the number of communities where we work. There are many other communities that we are familiar with already, and as the program grows, the number of these communities can also increase. The increase in the number of communities within the program will correspond to an increase in the impact that the LIFT program brings to those most in need in Nicaragua.

Club Support and Donations:

THE LIFT PROGRAM RELYS ON FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF DISTRICT 5960

Recommended pledge for every district club to pledge $15 per member, per year

Send payments (check) from your club to:
Rotary District 5960
ATTN: LIFT
P.O. Box 126
Dundas, MN 55019

FOR CHECKS:
1. Make payable to: D5960CF
2. Memo line on check MUST designate “LIFT” program

Personal or Private Business Support and donations (Same as club donations).

Same as club donations

*NOTE: LIFT is a part of the Rotary District 5960 Charitable Foundation and is a 501(c)3. If personal donations require a tax deduction, contact Kathy Hughitt at the District 5960 office for donation information.