El Salvador
Economic development that incorporates sound money principles and using technology to better the lives of the poor.
Economic Development
Beta - working version or MVP
Yes
No
We use economic development fueled by Bitcoin to create circular economies that allow those at the bottom to participate fully. All our initiatives focus on improving the education and the job opportunities of the marginalized. (SDG 1, 4, 8, 10) We focus on empowering the youth to be changemakers in their community and to dream for a better tomorrow for their entire families. We use the energy and initiative of the youth to launch programs that improve the local physical and social environment of the community (SDG 3, 11, 16)
We have taught 500+ families how to use Bitcoin for daily purchases and use BTC to facilitate Universal Cash Transfers to these families during the COVID lockdown so that they could purchase food. We have supported the continued education of 80+ vulnerable students during school closures by providing BTC stipends to those who complete all their work and receive passing marks. When school is in session, we supply transportation to the neighboring high school for all students looking to continue their education. (20) (El Zonte does not have a High School) We provide numerous educational classes for vulnerable youth including English, computer skill certification, lifeguard certification, Bitcoin concept and skill mastery, and wellness classes for 200+ community members. We provide Bitcoin scholarships for 5 University students from the community We provide reopening support for several local small businesses by paying part of their employee’s salaries in Bitcoin during the first 2 months of reopening after permitted reopening. We provide work for 30+ adults who had lost their jobs because of COVID. We use this team for projects in the community and they are paid in Bitcoin. We have developed a lifeguard program and will be paying several of the youth that finish the training to serve as lifeguards and protect beach goers from drowning. The will all be paid in Bitcoin (14 youth) We have several programs to protect the local environment and encourage the youth to lead the way in the community in maintaining the beauty of El Zonte. The youth (30+)are paid in Bitcoin to clean trash out of the river and off the beach. In the next months we will be distributing a number to trash cans throughout the community to encourage the proper disposal of waste and keep the trash out of the river and off the beach.
Banking the unbanked and encouraging economic development using Bitcoin. I have personally seen how difficult it is to move money in the developing world and how this impacts the lives of the poor."
We use Blockchain in every aspect of our project. We could not do it without it because everything is based on the concept of a better future through sound money.
Michael Peterson, Director
Bitcoin
Yes
No
We are currently funded primarily by one donor, but we have received donations from dozens of other individuals.
In addition to all the items listed in the previous question we have helped local businesses to begin to accept Bitcoin as payment. This has been a long process as we walk with them while they learn how to safely use and hold Bitcoin, deal with the volatility, and begin to learn how to use Bitcoin as a savings vehicle for the future growth of their business. We have also helped them develop the necessary liquidity options when they need to convert to fiat. We currently have a Bitcoin ATM in the community as well as a very extensive peer-to-peer market.