Knowledge, the greatest heritage
“Since September 2000, World Vision Honduras has reinforced the organizational and transformation capacity of 1,350 families in 22 communities,” says Santos Ernesto Barahona, 43, who received agricultural training from World Vision.
The transforming development impacts of Esmeralda ADP, goes beyond the construction or renovation of schools buildings, houses or new roads.
"For us, before the Esmeralda ADP, life was hard in Jocon. We just planted corn, beans and a little bit of yucca and plantain. But my life changed since 2004, when I received my first agricultural training,” recalls Santos Ernesto, who currently practice new agriculture techniques to diversify his crops.
Santos Ernesto, is one of the peasant farmers of this community who was certified by the prestigious Honduran agricultural school El Zamorano and also, by World Vision Honduras. This year, he invited around 30 farmers from the area to train them in the implementation of family gardens. In a first phase, he trained 25 peasant farmers from the community of El Hato, a community formed by 62 families.
He also is a sponsorship volunteer, and he describes himself as a man that is especially concerned for the children’s well-being. In 2011, he, along with community members built the rural school “Francisco Morazán.” Currently, this educational center also has a small playground for children.
The school and playground ensure the learning will continue after World Vision is gone.
“This learning environment allows the families of Jocon, to clearly establish two periods, before and after the Esmeralda ADP,” explains Armando Urbina Redondo, Agricultural Facilitator of the Integral Nutritional Project.
Among the projects these communities are now carrying out , based on their needs, are: nutritional recovery projects, family vegetable gardens, improved and ecological wood burning stoves, sanitary modules, housing improvement, post-harvest infrastructure (silos for the storage of basic grains), raising of small animal, fruits and coffee plantations and the improvement of water systems.
“The Esmeralda ADP emphasis has been the training of the human resource to be able to provide sustainability to the projects. Two water boards, a Central of community associations and 19 rural boxes are the community base structures that are in a consolidation process,” explains Urbina.
The Esmeralda ADP works in coordination with other local organizations to encourage communities to work for their own development, although it is important to establish that there are still challenges in the area.
“But with my knowledge, I consider that the greatest heritage that Esmeralda ADP is leaving us, is the construction of a better life quality,” adds Santos Ernesto.
“We thank God for the kindly heart that all of our sponsors have and also because they think in the families of our country,” adds Josué, 16, Santos Ernesto’s son.
Armando Urbina Redondo says “As technicians, we have tried to do the best, so the resources that our sponsors send contribute in the best possible way to solve the problems in the community.”
“I dream with a developed community, with people that feel and think different. Thanks God, slavery is over, where we served the big land owners and ranchers from this area of the country, working for a minimum amount of money and living in the most absolute misery,” adds Santos Ernesto.
“I want to thank the Esmeralda ADP sponsors for taking us out of prostration, I encourage you to continue doing what you are doing, because your actions help many poor families of our communities, many vulnerable boys and girls, many people that really need your help,” ends this community leader.