About
​Tara Germain is a missionary with a heart to serve the disadvantaged. Originally from Fort St John, B.C.
Canada, she moved to Honduras in 2009 to volunteer in a Christian orphanage after having received her
training with Youth with a Mission in 1998 (Discipleship Training School), 1999 (School of Biblical Studies)
and in 2001 (School of Biblical Christian Worldview). It was in Honduras that she met her future husband,
Alex Casco, from Nicaragua. After they were married, they returned to Honduras to volunteer at the orphanage
as a couple and added a daughter to their family, Elizabeth Molly. In January of 2011, Tara and Alex moved
their small family to Nicaragua and founded a program to serve children and families living in extreme
poverty in Dario City, Matagalpa. The heart of the ministry is holistic and works towards relieving poverty
and breaking the cycles of abuse and dysfunction that keep so many of the children, youth and adults of
Nicaragua captive. This is done through a variety of educational activities, providing food and other
necessities of life, giving a basic education, and offering instruction in the Christian faith.
From 2011 to 2024, Light and Salt ministries programs have included Formation Classes for boys ages 7-
18 who live in extremely dysfunctional and poverty-stricken homes. The boys are chosen through a series of
home visits, interviews and screening processes and are then individually selected to attend the program at
the center for up to five consecutive years. The formation program consists of breakfast, lunch, help with
public school studies and follow-up attention/ support with the students classroom teachers, study of the
Bible, prayer, arts and crafts, sports, psychological attention, educational field trips, science activities, basic
computer skills training as well as moral and ethical one-on-one mentorship.
The Mercy in Action Program is a mercy-based relief effort serving the citizens of Dario City that live in
extreme situations of social risk, illness and poverty (mainly the marginalized, elderly, widowed, abandoned
and/or rejected). The goal is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to bring acts of kindness and practical
help into their homes. Food, clothing, medicine/ medical care and shelter are provided to these less
fortunate members of the community.
The Triumphant Women sewing course is aimed at the discipleship and encouragement of women who find
themselves in situations where they must be both the breadwinners and caretakers for their children. This
includes a bi-weekly study in the scriptures and a look at business sense and entrepreneurship, while
simultaneously offering them training in areas of tailoring clothes and sewing other textile items. These
skills will serve them in breaking their own cycles of poverty and propel them towards self-sustainability.
In March of 2014, Light and Salt Ministries Nicaragua (LASM - Nicaragua) received charitable status in
Canada as a non-profit organization. Before that Tara Germain was under the covering of a local church in
Fort St. John, B.C. Canada. In the USA, LASM is working with 501(c)(3) Shared Vision offering tax receipts to
their stateside ministry partners. In 2021, Tara gained her pastoral credentials through the Assemblies of God
Nicaragua and currently serves as a member of the National Council of Evangelical Pastors of Nicaragua. In
Canada, LASM has an established board of trustees that work alongside of and assist Tara, Alex, and the
team in Nicaragua with major decisions and management of donations.
Beginning in 2025, LASM is moving towards even more community involvement in new and exciting ways.
In their evangelism program, 12 to 15 hours weekly are spent in door-to-door ministry into the homes of
both past and present LASM beneficiaries. LASM also hosts the Assemblies of God Bethel Bible
School for adults in their facilities, as well as backing various trainings and luncheons throughout the year
for local Pastors and leaders to build unity and engage in joint planning.
Tara and her family are fully grounded in the promises of God. His faithfulness continues to carry on their
long-term commitment and service to Nicaragua.
