The Spirit of Microenterprise

It's been a little over two weeks since we returned from Nicaragua, and I still can't get the children's smiles out of my head. One of the many things I found inspiring was witnessing the sowing school, Centro de Costura, at work. The organization Shantia Smith and I work for here in Jersey City, Rising Tide Capital, embodies this same mission of building communities through entrepreneurship. Take a look at the article written below about the spirit of microenterprise:


Earlier this month, two of our AmeriCorps VISTA members, Shantia Smith and Bryan Franklin, took part in a mission trip with Mustard Seed Communities to Nicaragua (June 9th - 16th). With a group of 20 others, they traveled to an orphanage in Diriamba, where they helped lay the foundation for a chapel, spent time with the local children, and built lasting relationships with fellow missionaries. In this story, Bryan shares a compelling story about his visit to the capital city’s dump where he witnessed the spirit of microenterprise in action.

You can view the complete article here  www.RisingTideCapital.org.


- Bryan

Hoboken Mission Team Lift Off

Here I am again - one year later - and only hours away from flying off to Nicaragua.  The feeling has not hit me until now, as expected, because it is actually happening now.  I don't know what to expect this second time around, nor do I want to try to expect anything at all. I am in a zone that is completely open to all that this trip will bring.

The questions that have popped in my thoughts these past  few hours...Will some of the kids remember me? Will there be new children in the home that I will get a chance to meet for the first time? How has everyone been over this last year?

I don't know. But that's the most exciting part!

It's a new experience with people I only met a few months ago now - 18 to be precise.  Along with Bryan, Arik, and Father Benny from last year's trip, I am so ready to share a beautiful week together with everyone.

I feel blessed, therefore I am blessed.

Not only keep us in your thoughts, but keep up to date on our blog throughout the week! We will actually have access to a computer this time.

Bon voyage!

Juliet