A Lasting Impact Part 3: Honduras Nueva Frontera
The Honduras Nueva Frontera program began in 2008 with local partner CASM. Over the years the program has served more than 10,000 people in more than 40 communities. It continues in its third phase as the Honduras Macuelizo program.
Wilmer began participating in the program during the first year. He was an eager learner and quickly implemented everything that he was taught, becoming a master farmer. He was particularly inspired by what he learned about grafting, and became very skilled at it. He began grafting citrus trees that produced mandarins, oranges and limes – all from a single tree. His wife began grafting roses with multiple colors.
Wilmer’s enthusiasm for learning was apparent, so CASM trained him to build energy saving stoves. He helped their team to construct stoves in several communities and earned an income for his efforts.
He wasn’t the only member of the family with an appetite for learning. His daughter Lesley was also an eager student. With their savings and support from CASM, Wilmer and his wife were able to send her to college.
Now Lesley is using her talents to help others. Since 2018, she has been working as a part of the CASM team. She works with communities and women’s associations, helping them to advocate for themselves with local governments.
For example, Honduran law requires that schools purchase food for school lunches locally when possible. However, they can only purchase from certified vendors, leaving most farmers out. Lesley has helped to organize a women’s poultry cooperative and assisted them in becoming a certified vendor so they are able to make an income selling eggs to the local school – eggs that their own children will eat.
Lesley, CASM and the communities they serve are using their advocacy experience to rebuild after the devastating impact of hurricanes Eta and Iota. The relationships they have built with government officials and the skills they have developed through the program will leave a lasting impact. It will help communities recover quickly from this disaster and ensure that they are prepared for whatever the future brings.