Do You Desire to Make a Difference?
Our Focus Areas
Enhancing Healthcare
The World Health Organization emphasizes that 70% of diseases are caused by a lack of common medical knowledge and access to preventative programs. Over 400 million people are without primary care and suffer from avoidable health problems – infectious diseases, malnutrition, complications of childbirth – simply because they have no place to receive the most basic medical attention. The establishment of primary care practices, wellness initiatives and health education are fundamental aspects of Bless Back’s healthcare program. Our providers have served over 20,000 patients in our clinics, offering continuity of care for those with chronic conditions and treating a variety of illnesses from ear infections to malaria.
While sending medical teams regularly is vital, it’s only a small part of our healthcare program goals. Bless Back provides funding for on-site medical staff and clinic operations on a full-time basis. The local staff employed in these clinics are mentored by Bless Back medical providers who communicate regularly on important patient issues to provide support and promote best practices. When possible, we connect our patients to life-saving services such as nutrition programs and surgical/specialty interventions. To extend healthcare into more remote villages and neighborhoods, Bless Back reaches out with stand-alone clinics to meet critical needs and is actively involved in training community health workers to bridge the gap in services. Our teams devote considerable time during each trip to patient education, knowing that increased health literacy empowers people to make better decisions for themselves and their families. Our patients in Haiti and Nicaragua now have a reliable place to turn for meeting their everyday healthcare needs.
People in developing countries are burdened excessively by oral diseases. These are aggravated by poverty, poor living conditions and lack of education related to dental care. Our teams provide extractions, restorations, sealants and fluoride treatments- all of which are carried on full-time by the local dental provider. Together we aim to save teeth by providing preventative care and oral hygiene education to the community.
Empowering Entrepreneurs and Communities
Welcome to the BlessBack Business Academy
At the BlessBack Business Academy, we aim to transform lives and uplift communities by empowering entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and biblical principles needed to succeed in business. Rooted in the wisdom of Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”, we are dedicated to providing education and vital skills to small businesses in economically challenged regions.
Watch our overview video to learn more about our mission, values, and the incredible impact we’re making in Nicaragua:
Our Story
Founded in 2015, the BlessBack Business Academy began in Nicaragua, where 29% of the population lives on less than $1.77 per day, and the average level of education is less than seven years. Since then, we’ve expanded our reach, establishing new academies in Charlotte, North Carolina; the Dominican Republic; Haiti; and Zambia, Africa. Partnerships with organizations like Camino Ministry, Mission of Hope International, and the Biblical Worship Training Center drive our growth.
Our Vision and Methodology
We believe in the transformative power of education and the strength of community. Our vision is to create a world where small and impoverished communities can thrive economically through the teachings of Bible-based business principles. We aim to foster self-sufficiency and long-term economic growth by focusing on sustainability and local leadership. This vision inspires hope and promises a brighter future for these communities.
Core Principles
- Improve the microeconomics of small and impoverished communities.
- Teach Bible-based business principles to aspiring entrepreneurs with limited access to business knowledge.
- Create self-sustaining programs that employ and train local leaders as coaches, mentors, and teachers.
- Collaborate with ministry partners worldwide to expand our reach.
Our Unique BUILD Model
Our BUILD model encapsulates our methodology and approach to achieving our vision. Each component plays a critical role in ensuring the success and sustainability of the businesses we support.
Our Programs
Students are selected based on their commitment to learning and their potential to apply the knowledge gained to their businesses. Once selected, they undergo a rigorous training program that equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge. The BlessBack Business Academy offers four distinct programs designed to bridge educational and economic disparities:
Young Entrepreneur Academy:
For high school graduates, focusing on life skills, digital business tools, and entrepreneurship.
Business Development Academy:
For existing business owners, focusing on business management techniques.
Trade Skill Academy:
Offering basic and advanced training in barbering, beauty salon, computer skills, cooking, and sewing.
Mobile Academies:
Extending our reach to churches and organizations through short-term workshops.
Our Comprehensive Curriculum
We have self-developed over 40 business and vocational teachings that carefully infuse God’s Word into the teaching materials. These teachings support our programs and provide a robust educational foundation for our students. Our curriculum includes courses on business ethics, financial management, marketing, customer service, and vocational skills such as barbering, beauty salons, computer proficiency, cooking, and sewing.
Additionally, we have collaborated with Kingdom Builders to create a devotional for our program, enriching the spiritual journey of our students and leaders. Learn more about Kingdom Builders.
Inspirational Testimonials
Watch these heartwarming testimonial videos to experience the impact of the BlessBack Business Academy firsthand. Our students share their journeys of transformation, success, and the invaluable support they’ve received through our programs. Their stories testify to the power of community, education, and faith in creating lasting change.
Sewing Class:
Barbershop: https://vimeo.com/1003273706
Cooking Class: https://vimeo.com/1003275121
These testimonials highlight individual achievements and demonstrate the ripple effect of empowerment and generosity, inspiring others to join in our mission.
Business Transformations at BlessBack Business Academy
The BlessBack Business Academy has profoundly impacted many lives and businesses. Here are two inspiring stories of transformation:
Caleb and Johanna’s Hair Salon
Caleb and Johanna were among our first students in 2015. They completed all our courses, where we assisted them in creating a comprehensive business plan and provided microfinancing to transform their hair salon. The “before” photo shows their humble beginnings, while the “after” photo showcases the beautifully renovated “Salón Caleb.”
Today, Caleb is a successful business owner and our Barbershop teacher, blessing new students with his skills and talents. Their journey from students to successful entrepreneurs and educators embodies the spirit of our academy.
Homero and Olga’s Pharmacy
Homero attended our courses with his wife, Olga. Inspired by his dream to support his daughter in pharmacy school, he envisioned creating a pharmacy within his pulperia. With our help, Homero developed a solid business plan and secured the necessary government approvals. We also provided microfinancing to make his dream a reality.
The transformation is evident in their thriving business, as seen in the photos. Homero’s youngest daughter, who runs a business in the neighboring city of Granada, recently graduated from our Business Development Academy in December. The BlessBack Business Academy has not only transformed Homero’s business but has also had a generational impact on his entire family.
These stories highlight the profound difference the BlessBack Business Academy makes in the lives of our students, equipping them to achieve their dreams and contribute back to their communities. This is a testament to the impact we can make when we come together to support a noble cause, and it should fill us all with pride and motivation to continue our efforts.
Robust Leader Training Program
The cornerstone of our academies’ success lies in our robust leader training program. This comprehensive training equips local leaders with the spiritual and technical skills to effectively implement our programs. Through a series of practical and insightful modules, leaders are empowered to:
- Navigate cultural norms with sensitivity and understanding.
- Develop essential coaching skills to mentor and guide entrepreneurs.
- Implement effective strategies for sustainable business growth.
- Cultivate a heart of generosity and service, embodying our core values.
By investing in the development of local leaders, we ensure that our programs are delivered with excellence and compassion, fostering a lasting positive impact in the communities we serve. Your role as a potential volunteer, donor, or supporter is crucial to this mission, and we value your contribution immensely.
How to Start a Program
As a ministry partner, you can help empower entrepreneurs and foster economic growth in your community. Here’s how to get started:
- Collaborate with BlessBack
We’ll work together to assess your community’s needs and design a tailored program, whether focused on business development or trade skills. - Equip Your Local Leaders
BlessBack will train your local leaders, giving them the business and spiritual tools to mentor entrepreneurs effectively. - Launch, Support, and Secure Funding
Once your leaders are trained, your ministry will take the lead in securing funding and resources for the program’s success. With BlessBack’s guidance, you’ll select students and ensure the program thrives.
Together, we can create a sustainable, long-term impact in your community!
Get Involved
You can make a lasting difference by supporting the BlessBack Business Academy in the following ways:
- Volunteering: Share your skills and expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs. Your mentorship and guidance can transform lives.
- Donating: Your financial contributions are vital to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Every donation helps us empower more entrepreneurs and uplift more communities.
- Praying: Support us through prayer, asking for guidance, strength, and blessings for our leaders, students, and the communities we serve.
- Go on a Trip: Experience firsthand the impact of our programs by joining a trip to one of our academy locations. Participate in hands-on training, mentorship, and community projects, and see the transformation in action. Watch this video to see what trip participants can do and discover how you can contribute.
Your involvement can create a ripple effect of positive change, helping empower entrepreneurs and transform communities.
Enriching Education
Globally over 59 million children are unschooled, leaving them at risk for lifelong struggles with poverty and disease. Even among those enrolled, 250 million leave school lacking basic knowledge and critical thinking skills. Since the educational systems in developing countries are grossly underfunded, schooling is typically not free, and many impoverished parents simply cannot afford to pay tuition and fees while at the same time afford to feed their children. While some children are fortunate to attend school for a few years, most do not matriculate to secondary programs. Schools themselves do not make a passing grade. They fail miserably due to outdated instructional methods, poorly trained teachers and inadequate supplies and resources.
Bless Back Worldwide and our partners desire is to see each child in our communities move into adulthood equipped with knowledge and skills that help them lead productive, safe and fulfilling lives. We approach educational issues from two different angles, by focusing on the student and the teacher. For community children, both schooled and unschooled, we offer extra-curricular activities that target the gaps in their learning. Through our “Kids Camps”, volunteers provide opportunities to engage in problem solving, fine motor activities, critical thinking games, creative expression and the arts. We also work to address the deficiencies found in the educational systems. Many teachers lack formal training in instructional techniques and instead rely on obsolete, rote methods of learning. Our teams go into the classrooms, modeling more effective strategies that develop important higher-level thinking skills. We have launched a professional development program where teachers from K-12 undergo weeklong training seminars to infuse them with new ideas, develop better practices and provide them with a more comprehensive set of teaching resources.
Where We Serve
Haiti
Haiti, a beautiful island once known as the “Pearl of the Antilles”, has a remarkable past, making history as the site of the only successful slave revolution. Yet years of economic instability, political crises and natural disasters have plagued its growth, leaving Haiti currently ranked as the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Haiti Stats
Our Haiti Projects
Upgraded medical clinic, seeing over 16,000 patients
Staffing full time medical clinic with a local doctor, nurse and administrator
Implementing electronic medical records system
Providing over $24,000 worth of medication and supplies annually
Supporting full-time dental clinic with equipment and supplies
Developing cosmetology trade school program
Hosting health fairs for community
Training teachers through professional development program
Providing children’s educational enrichment camps
Where We Serve
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is a Central American nation known for its dramatic terrain of lakes and volcanoes, iconic architecture, and rich tropical species. Nicaraguans struggle with staggering unemployment and low educational levels despite this natural beauty. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
In addition to these economic difficulties, Nicaragua faces significant healthcare issues. The country’s healthcare system struggles with limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of medical professionals. Many of the population lacks basic health literacy, with minimal understanding of disease causes and prevention.
We have developed the Camino a Mejor Salud (CaMS) community health promoter program to address these critical needs. This program provides extensive training and resources to volunteers who serve their communities by addressing health needs and providing education on disease prevention and management. By increasing access to primary healthcare and improving health education, CaMS aims to impact Nicaraguan communities’ health and well-being positively.
Nicaragua Stats
Our Nicaragua Projects
Built medical clinic for more than 7,000 patients
Developing Business Academy training program curriculum
Offering one-on-one coaching for business owners
Creating local business associations
Offering microloans to entrepreneurs
Creating community health workers program
Teaching at local nursing school
Facilitating specialty care for patients
