Our Model

The goal of HPSD shall be poverty reduction in the developing world through sustainable development and long-term commitment to communities. Our model involves our work both on campus in the United States and in our partner communities in Nicaragua.

On Campus

We work to raise awareness and instill passion about issues related to international poverty and development on campus and beyond. We do this by running a series of small workshops and large forums throughout the course of the year.

Additionally, we dedicate ourselves to raising resources to support programs in our partner communities. We collect supplies during the year which we bring to important local NGOs that distribute them to the neediest members of our communities. Additionally we raise funds, 100% of which are used to implement projects and programs in Nicaragua jointly with the members of our partner communities.

In Nicaragua

We aim to work with our partner communities in a manner that fosters equality, exchange, trust, mutuality, and solidarity between us and that avoids paternalism and asymmetrical relationships. To help us achieve that end, we work very closely with our Advisory Council in Nicaragua on all issues related to our work there. This Council is composed of five community leaders, organizers, and entrepreneurs who are respected greatly by their communities and all who they work with.

This year we will run two service trips to Nicaragua. During these trips we will work with our Advisory Council and the members of our partner communities to implement sustainable projects and programs. The programs that we implement fall into three general categories as follows:

  1. Public health initiatives which will improve the health and welfare of the members of our partner communities.
  2. Educational opportunity incentives that will work towards increasing school attendance in our partner communities.
  3. Microfinance programs which will provide capital for the members of our partner communities which can be invested and turned into profit.

HPSD believes that in order to work in a truly non-paternalistic manner and to encourage true partnership and mutual exchange, it is necessary for us to have a physical presence our communities. In addition to the annual trips, several members will stay in the communities for more extended periods of times.