History and Future

The history of Nicaragua, like many of the countries of Latin America, has been characterized by conflict and the struggle for greater access to human opportunity. The war to overthrow the Somoza family dictatorship during the 1970s and the Contra War of the 1980s left the people of this young democracy in a state of economic powerlessness. But the experiences of the past 25 years have strengthened their resolve and led them to the realization that their greatest resource lies within themselves - the Nicaraguan people.

It is this human resource that APS has worked to develop over the past eight years, through the creation of a community-based primary health care system—a system grounded in the efforts of the community health worker. APS believes in a philosophy of empowerment through health, and it is our hope that our work will continue to build upon the momentum of a process that began in the 1970s; a process that seeks to bring the power inherent in a democratic system of government toward the creation of greater opportunty for all Nicaraguans.