The Sweet Dreams project aimed to develop practical step-by-step training spaces for producing typical Nicaraguan seasonal sweets, where women can acquire knowledge through learning, allowing them to generate sources of income and helping them start their businesses from their homes.
The Sweet Dreams Project
Impact Summary 2024
Thanks to your donations these results were possible:
10
living in cycles of poverty in Nicaragua received scholarships thanks to your donations to create a home-based business.
2800
sweets sold only 2 months after graduating in December and successfully implementing the trainings.
80
of the graduates succesfully created a business page on FB and created their own business names and logo
Lessons with an
Award Winning Chef
They learned how to bake artisan sweets, with 6 award-winning recipes. They met in person with Amy, founder of Chavita Foods, for a live training and took home a recipe book and a starting kit with the ingredients, and tools they need to set up at home.
10
recipe books and cooking tools donated
By empowering a woman you multiply their opportunities and guarantee brighter, healthier futures for their communities.
01
month of live and online training
Free Bootcamp Training
They receive the XtraOrdinary Women Bootcamp training, which will teach them everything they need to know about running a successful business.
Personalized Business Support
We know that training is not enough, training needs to come with personalised support for each woman as she sets up her business. We provide each woman with 3 months of follow-up support, including home visits, to ensure her business stays on track.
03
months providing follow-up after graduating
We are every woman’s cheerleader!
OUR MISSION
XtraOrdinary Women is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation founded in 2009. Based in Nicaragua, our sole purpose is to empower disadvantaged women to achieve financial and emotional independence.
5+ years on, an XOW graduate still has a stable income, sends her kids to school, and has built herself a house. We achieve sustainable change through our deep understanding of the basic needs of these women, our proximity to the communities, and the personal relationship we develop with each participant.
With over 15 years of experience, we’ve seen how the impact and support multiply.
We don’t create programs just to educate a reduced number of women and call it a day. We achieve sustainable change through our deep understanding of the basic needs of these women and our proximity to the communities.
We provide more than education...
- A scholarship to enter our programs transform into stable income, a job or creating a business.
- A chance for 3 kids on average per family to access education
- The support a woman needs to build the life she dreams of.
Martha is building a brighter future
Graduate 2023 | 56 years old | 3 children
Martha Blandón, a 56-year-old mother of three, turned to entrepreneurship after an unexpected accident left both her and her husband unemployed for over a year. Driven by the need for financial independence and to support her children's education, she began selling various products to sustain her family. In 2023, she participated in our Bootcamp, where she learned how to organize her business, promote her products, and connect with other entrepreneurs.
With the skills and tools gained from the Sweet Dreams program, Martha quickly put her knowledge into practice. Within two weeks, she sent dozens of cajetas to a client in Costa Rica and created a brand to represent her products. We helped Martha break her cycle of poverty and flip her odds.
Eveling now can pay for her kids school supplies
Garaduate 2023 | 3 children
Evelying Torres, 26 years old and a mother of three, has been working since the age of 14 to support her family and now her daughter. She dropped out of school early to help by selling products and doing domestic work, but despite her efforts, she always struggled to find financial stability. Her participation in the Sweet Dreams program has given her a new opportunity to change her life.
Now, Evelying has an income that is just for her, and she is saving to pay for her daughter's education and one day have a home of her own. In her first month, she successfully got her business up and running, selling over 200 sweets. She is committed to this new venture, seeing it as a way to secure a better future for her children. Evelying dreams of expanding her business, using the skills she has gained to provide a better life for her family.
Tamara is builiding a home for her family!
Graduate 2023 | 2 children
Tamara faced many challenges, from not finishing high school to struggling to find stable employment. Living with her partner and two children, she tried various jobs, including selling perfumes and working in a free trade zone, but nothing seemed to stick. Eventually, she decided to stay home to care for her children, relying on her partner's income.
Her life took a positive turn when she joined the Sweet Dreams program. Tamara quickly embraced the opportunity, dedicating herself to making and selling traditional sweets. She’s already seeing success, with her community placing orders and recognizing the quality of her products.
Cecilia build a business from home
Graduate 2023 | 2 children | 49 years old
Abandoned as a baby, Janixa grew up in an orphanage in Ciudad Sandino. She didn't finish elementary school. Age 16 she escaped to La Chureca, the community at the City dump, and began a cycle of extreme poverty. To escape this situation, she entered into a violent and controlling relationship, then, in 2017 Janixa enrolled with XtraOrdinary Women.
While on the course, she began to question her unhealthy relationship and, with the psychological support and self-esteem workshop, she managed to become independent.
Now Janixa is in stable employment with our partner, Serviplus, and is an exemplary single mother. We helped Janixa break her cycle of poverty and flip her odds.
What's Next for The Sweet Dreams Project?
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