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Nicaragua: Tio Antonio's Hammocks for Social Change

Katalina Mayorga April 5, 2015

A few weeks before our second trip to Nicaragua, we learned about a man named Tio Antonio (Uncle Antonio) who had a hammock store that provided jobs to at risk youth and deaf and mute youth. We were told that travelers could stop by, see the youth making the hammocks right there and if interested buy customized hammocks a few days later. We immediately looked into and realized that it was much more than just a hammock store, it was a whole eco-system of social support that empowered individuals who normally would be pushed to the outskirts of Nicaraguan society. We knew that we had to take our travelers there.

Right when you walk in, you see several youth working on customized hammocks that previous visitors had ordered. These jobs provide a competitive and respectable income while they continue to pursue other educational opportunities. It is not only seen as a job, but a mechanism to give hands on training on other aspects of professionalism, such as understanding work schedules and job responsibilities, sticking to deadlines, etc. A portion of the hammocks funds the center and it's other job training activities, allowing for financial sustainability of the organization. 

The day we visited, Tio Antonio, the founder, was there and took time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his work, why he started his center, and his love for Bruce Springsteen. His passion was palpable and his commitment to the youth inspiring. The center was first started to provide employment opportunities to deaf and mute youth. He had met many who were not given professional opportunities because they were discarded as useless in the work force. He knew that this was a stereotype that he was committed to ending.

In addition to the hammock store, the center also has a cafe that anyone can come to and work or get food and coffee. All the waiters are deaf and mute and there is a simple system put in place for ordering. While these jobs do provide an income to the youth, there is a larger underlying purpose to the cafe. The cafe is an opportunity to educate the general public and break down misconceptions that they might have of the capability of these youth. The idea is that the youth will get their careers started here, but Tio Antonio's will help them to continue to advance professionally by placing them in better jobs at other companies whose owners may frequent the cafe. These owners are now accustomed to communicating with them and understand that their disability is not a hindrance to their work ethic or dedication. The idea is simple, humans are humans, and when you interact daily with individuals who you my have misconceptions about, you cannot deny their humanity and their potential. 

We left Tio Antonio's inspired and with a few hammocks in tow. 

To learn more visit Tio Antonio's website here. To see the center in action, sign up for our Nicaragua trip in July. 

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We had the chance to ask EC Alum @hope_sword about her experience traveling to Colombia with us and what she thinks of small-group travel. We’re totally diggin her thoughts on it: “Sometimes you need to be totally out of your element and forced into fun adventure to get the most of your experience. You wind up getting to be your authentic self with strangers which is totally electrifying in a foreign land.” Head to our stories today to hear more about her experience exploring Colombia with us.  She’s also a Venice, CA based florist, botanical enthusiast, and founder of @pigsty (hello flower heaven). || @emcalary for #elcaminotravel
No trip to Colombia is complete without a visit to see Tia Tere, and learn a few new steps in salsa from the Queen herself. We just wrapped up our first ever #WomenWhoTravel trip in partnership with @cntraveler, and we can’t grasp the right word that will suffice in describing this phenomenal, transformational trip (we’re still doing cartwheels over here 🤸‍♀️). There’s always something so special about our first group of travelers. But just know the experience will always be the same. Head to our stories today to get an insider recap of our recent #WomenWhoTravel trip. Or if you’re ready to join us on the next one, click the link in our bio! || @villa_de_rosa for #elcaminotravel x @cntraveler
Currently en route to a private rooftop for mojitos, the best view of that famous Havana golden hour, and live music. Yes plzzzz. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere right? || @eviecheung for #elcaminotravel
Hola to a fresh new week! We’re channeling all our Caribbean inspiration for this Monday right here from our first #WomenWhoTravel trip! Yup, we just wrapped up our first EVER #WomenWhoTravel trip in partnership with @cntraveler. We’re still freaking out with excitement (and don’t think we’ll be stopping anytime soon). Still a few spots left for our #WomenWhoTravel trips this year! If you’re interested and want more information comment below. || @villa_de_rosa for #elcaminotravel @cntraveler
We had the chance to ask EC Alum @hope_sword about her experience traveling to Colombia with us and what she thinks of small-group travel. We’re totally diggin her thoughts on it: “Sometimes you need to be totally out of your element and forced into fun adventure to get the most of your experience. You wind up getting to be your authentic self with strangers which is totally electrifying in a foreign land.” Head to our stories today to hear more about her experience exploring Colombia with us.  She’s also a Venice, CA based florist, botanical enthusiast, and founder of @pigsty (hello flower heaven). || @emcalary for #elcaminotravel No trip to Colombia is complete without a visit to see Tia Tere, and learn a few new steps in salsa from the Queen herself. We just wrapped up our first ever #WomenWhoTravel trip in partnership with @cntraveler, and we can’t grasp the right word that will suffice in describing this phenomenal, transformational trip (we’re still doing cartwheels over here 🤸‍♀️). There’s always something so special about our first group of travelers. But just know the experience will always be the same. Head to our stories today to get an insider recap of our recent #WomenWhoTravel trip. Or if you’re ready to join us on the next one, click the link in our bio! || @villa_de_rosa for #elcaminotravel x @cntraveler Currently en route to a private rooftop for mojitos, the best view of that famous Havana golden hour, and live music. Yes plzzzz. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere right? || @eviecheung for #elcaminotravel Hola to a fresh new week! We’re channeling all our Caribbean inspiration for this Monday right here from our first #WomenWhoTravel trip! Yup, we just wrapped up our first EVER #WomenWhoTravel trip in partnership with @cntraveler. We’re still freaking out with excitement (and don’t think we’ll be stopping anytime soon). Still a few spots left for our #WomenWhoTravel trips this year! If you’re interested and want more information comment below. || @villa_de_rosa for #elcaminotravel @cntraveler

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