Retail

The Oriental Market is the economic heart of Nicaragua. Located in the city of Managua, it is the largest market in Central America with over 20,000 stores serving 50,000 people daily.  The market is the main indicator of economic activity in Nicaragua.

When a fire broke out in the market on the night of July 31, the impact was felt throughout the country. Over 1,000 stalls were damaged, causing an estimated $100 million in losses.

The fire is a daily reminder for Rosa Alejandra Potosame. Her market stall is on the edge of the fire-ravaged area. From there, she watches as construction workers rebuild the businesses of her friends and neighbors. The stall she rents in the market was not directly damaged by the fire, but she did lose some of her merchandise to looters in the days following. She has since noticed a drop in customer activity, but has not lost hope that business will pick up once the area is rebuilt.

Rosa is a 53-year-old mother of three. Her father died when she was 12 years old and she had to start working after completing elementary school to help support her family. Today, all three of her children have a university education, with one of her children studying for their PhD.

She ran a convenience store out of her home for over 20 years and used the money she saved to rent a stall in the Oriental Market. Her business has continued to grow thanks to three loans she has received from MiCredito. With each new loan, she’s been able to purchase more merchandise and expand her business.

Rosa hopes to buy her stall and continue to see her family grow and flourish. In the heart of Nicaragua – even amidst the ashes of a devastating fire – you can find resilience and hope for the future.