New Social Enterprise Looks To Light Up Central America

Austin, Tx – Esperanza Market recently announced that it is raising funds to start a social enterprise dedicated to improving the lives of women and children living in impoverished communities in Central America. The online marketplace will work directly with artisans, mostly women, to provide them with regular employment and fair wages. The Esperanza Market will sell their goods online directly to a socially conscious US market. For every purchase on the website, a solar-powered lamp will be donated to students in those communities who live in homes without reliable electricity.

In Central America, 7.4 million people live without electricity. Some live off the electric grid, while others might have access to electricity, but can’t actually afford to use it. Families without energy rely on burning candles, wood or kerosene for light, which can be expensive, flammable and can cause poor air quality.

Esperanza Market will distribute solar lights to students in efforts to improve literacy and education by providing students with light to read and do homework once the sun goes down. They will start with Education Plus Nicaragua, a school in the Pantanal barrio outside of Granada. With the help of its Indiegogo campaign, Esperanza Market is trying to raise enough money for the 200 students.

Campaign supports who donate $9, which equals one solar-powered light, will be entered into a drawing for a three-night all-inclusive Costa Rican Yoga Retreat at Ama Tierra. There is no limited to the number of times supporters can enter.

Other campaign perks include travel magnets depicting life on the streets in Nicaragua,  handmade bags from Nicaraguan artisans or one of four great Central American Yoga Retreats from Peace Retreat Costa Rica, InanItah, Ahki Retreat and the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort.

Jennifer Simonson

Founder

Esperanza Market

info@esperanzamarket.com

512-496-6649

www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-esperanza-market

#LightTheWorld

Source: ICNW