Self-Help International (SHI) works at the grassroots level to improve quality of life and increase the income of rural people by introducing appropriate, sustainable agricultural methods. Founded in 1959, SHI's programs are designed to promote self-reliance with dignity and to create links between farmers and their communities. SHI carries out projects in Ghana and Nicaragua that introduce high protein corn (Quality Protein Maize) to improve crop yields and nutrition. Post-harvest technologies are introduced which include corn cribs, dryers and shellers. SHI's micro-credit project provides opportunities to empower women through its training sessions for effective enterprise management and loans through use of revolving funds.