Pro Mujer and Citibank Nicaragua Join Forces to Launch “Help Us Help Others” Program

By Alejandra Narvaez, Communications Specialist, Pro Mujer in Nicaragua

During the month-long festivities celebrating mothers, Pro Mujer partnered with Citibank Nicaragua to launch the innovative program “Help Us Help Others,” an initiative of the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of Citibank Nicaragua. Pro Mujer is one of three other participating organizations – Aldeas Infantiles SOS, AMA and CONANCA – that make a difference every day in the lives of thousands of Nicaraguan women and children.

As part of the program, customers with a Citibank credit card will have the option to support one or more of these organizations through small recurring, automatic donations made for free through the Citibank website. Each Citibank client will have the opportunity to give a small amount each month to make a difference in the lives of women and children in need. The program will be driven by the bank’s partners, who will invite customers to join.

According to the General Director of Pro Mujer in Nicaragua, Gloria Ruiz, “Pro Mujer serves women from impoverished communities who struggle arduously to survive and improve their families’ economic conditions. On average, each donation improves the lives of approximately five people – the woman entrepreneur plus her children and family members.”

Over the course of a year, we estimate that one monthly donation will have helped two women obtain loans of approximately US$338 to grow their small businesses. These women will also receive health services to prevent five potentially life-threatening illnesses that are prevalent in Nicaragua: breast and cervical cancers, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. In addition, they will participate in 12 workshops where they will learn to combat domestic violence and grow their businesses.