Tienda Verde

I just wanted to let everyone know about one of the neat projects going on in Sabana Grande that C.J. and I are not directly involved in, but that Charlotte is heading. It is called Tienda Verde, which means Green Store. The idea is that the women from Mujeres Solares de Totogalpa can use their volunteer hours to purchase donated items. The Tienda Verde is set up once a month with clothes, shampoo, sports equipment, solar ovens, and tons of other great stuff for the women to buy. Most of the items were donated by past volunteers, but some of it comes directly from Grupo Fenix.

The women´s hours are valued at $1 for Tienda Verde purchases, which is actually better than most of them would make at a real job. By tracking and giving value to the volunteer hours, it gives the women motivation to keep working towards their dreams. In addition, the donated items are not given away, but are earned by the women, which gives the items more value.

C.J. and I attended our first Tienda Verde on Saturday, and it seemed to go really well. Our family was able to buy a backpack, shampoo & conditioner, and a new flashlight with some of Alejandra´s hours. It was pretty neat!