In Ciudad Sandino, many children often go without eating for the majority of the day. Very few have access to education.
From these conditions, Manuel lifted himself and his family out of extreme poverty.
Manuel worked as a day laborer, which did not yield much profit and was only lucrative when the weather would cooperate; during heavy rains or hazardous winter weather, roads around the community were completely impassable.
Manuel utilized Rainbow Network's economic development programs and began to expand his businesses and skillsets. He purchased small livestock, and progressed into quantity buying. He soon diversified his business to include food and household items.
"Rainbow Network is the only reason we got to move forward. Before Rainbow Network came, there was not a single high school graduate. Now there are multiple -- four of them are my own children." -Manuel de Jesus Martinez Alegria
Manuel is now not only a business owner, but he is also the Community Coordinator for his community's committee with Rainbow Network. He serves as the official committee liaison to the local mayor's office. Additionally, he now owns two vehicles which he not only uses for his business, but also to offer transportation services to community members -- often at no charge.