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Final Project~ Proyecto Final

For the final project I collaborated with Rafael Nunez and Darnell Marescot. We analyzed the impact of foreign aid and investment in Nicaragua. Each one of us chose a project that USAID has funded and discussed the need that Nicaragua presented and how the project has improved conditions. Because in LACS 20 we discussed the many perks and setbacks presented by foreign investment we wanted to address the pros and cons with real world data. Darnell analyzed the impact that industrial agriculture had on the health of workers and Nicaraguans that lived in near proximity to the area of agriculture. Rafael's project focused on the impact of USAID on education. He discussed projects that targeted at-risk youth particularly in the RAAN regions of Nicaragua. The educational program created by USAID created a strong community and support that encourages education for children. The program found that community "charlas" where they discussed pertinent issues regarding their children's education increased parent support. The last project we discussed was USAID's project in Democratic advancement. The aim of the program is to create a more democratic government by increasing Nicaraguan participation in local and national elections. The project also focuses on educating promising leaders through a mentor-ship program over-watched by the national democratic institute. The NDI's mission is to educate potential leaders regardless of political affiliation. The USAID has received criticism because some believe that the program is imposing anti-Sandinista ideologies and promoting american interest. We hope that the people of Nicaragua can see our presentation and formulate their own opinions on USAID and similar institutions. We are curious to discover how they feel about these programs and where they think aid is lacking.