In a farming village tucked into Nicaragua’s dry corridor, 100 families are building their own access to clean, reliable drinking water, supported by our partnership with PS&S, a mid-sized engineering firm based in New Jersey. This collaboration represents a fresh approach to corporate social responsibility, where a mid-size firm can have a direct and meaningful impact thousands of miles away.
“This isn’t just a donation. It’s a partnership that reflects our values as a firm. We were drawn to Green Empowerment because of how they work — with local partners, with deep community engagement, and with an eye toward long-term sustainability.”
– John Sartor, President and CEO of PS&S.
A Model for Lasting Impact
El Paraisito, located in Pueblo Nuevo, Estelí, currently relies on shallow, unprotected wells that require long walks to access and pose serious health risks. With support from PS&S and matching funds from our foundation partners, we’re working with our local partner organization, FEDICAMP, to construct a micro-utility that will provide piped, treated water directly to homes for the first time.
And there’s even more good news: the project has now expanded to benefit the neighboring community of Palestina as well. Originally designed to serve only El Paraisito, the scope of the initiative grew after recent community assemblies confirmed the need and readiness in both villages. As a result, more families will gain access to safe, reliable water — a powerful outcome made possible by this partnership.
True to our mission, this project is community-led every step of the way. Residents of both villages are not just beneficiaries, they are co-creators. Community members are helping to construct the system, electing a water committee, and receiving hands-on training in maintenance and management.
“This approach builds local capacity and ownership. That’s why 97% of the systems we support remain functional and community-managed years after construction.”
– Andrea Johnson, Executive Director, Green Empowerment
A Blueprint for Purpose-Driven Business
The partnership offers a compelling model for how small and mid-sized companies can engage in global development without massive foundations or international offices.
“Most CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) stories focus on Fortune 500s. But firms like PS&S can make a big difference by showing up with purpose, partnering for the long haul, and trusting local expertise.”
– Andrea Johnson, Executive Director, Green Empowerment
The project has special resonance for PS&S staff. New Jersey, where PS&S has it’s headquarters, is home to one of the largest Nicaraguan-American communities in the United States. Supporting a project that uplifts families in Nicaragua feels personal and powerful for the community that PS&S relies on
This partnership is a model for how mission-aligned businesses can collaborate with nonprofits and local organizations to support lasting change across borders and beyond charity.
It takes a global village to raise a water project. This project is made possible by PS&S, our foundation partners: Meal A Day of the Americans, Peaceworks, The Jackson Kemper Foundation, local contributions and volunteer labor, and individual donors like you.