Prepared January 2018 ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT in HONDURAS

Home , La Campa, Lempira Department, Ocotepeque Department

HONDURAS » THRIVE: April 2017 through September 2017

Prepared January 2018 ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN HONDURAS

PROGRAM UPDATE

FAMILIES provided with access to economic empowerment activities by the end of the 14,000 program.

593 people trained on improved 8% Program target: 7,573 agricultural technology

416 people provided with increased access to ﬁ nancial 6% Program target: 7,200 services 605 people provided with 8% Program target: 7,237 increased access to markets

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

This is the initial report on the and incomes of 14,000 vulnerable Honduras THRIVE (Transforming families to sustainably provide for Household Resilience in Vulnerable 40,000 children. Environments) program, which integrates World Vision’s most This program is providing hope to effective economic empowerment families who do not have enough food interventions into one program. It to feed their children. It is providing provides agricultural training, natural hope to communities that are losing resource management, and tools for their young people to emigration rural families to become more resilient because of a lack of economic in the face of crisis or emergencies. opportunities.

THRIVE is built on a foundation of During this initial reporting period, providing families and communities the leadership team was hired and with training on building better community mapping was completed. relationships and with the knowledge they need to feel empowered to Please see page 5 for an update on the direct their own futures. country’s volatile political situation.

The goal is to increase the resiliency

1 GOAL AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Empower 14,000 vulnerable families to sustainably provide for 40,000 children by improving their resilience and increasing their incomes.

14,000 FAMILIES 40,000 CHILDREN Expected outcomes:

Families generate Households and Children live in Smallholder sustainable communities families whose farmers and and diversif ed practice livelihoods are their families are increase in their sustainable on- resilient to stress transformed from incomes and of -farm and emergencies dependency to natural resource empowerment management and collaboration

HONDURAS

T e map def nes the project area. Honduran departments (states) and villages served are indicated in the key below.. Bay Islands

Colón Atlántida Cortez

Yoro Santa Bárbara Gracias a Dios Copán Olancho Comayagua Francisco Ocotepeque Intibuccá Morazan Lempira La Paz El Paraiso Tegucigalpa

Valle

Choluteca Francis

COPÁN DEPARTMENT LA ESPERANZA LA PAZ DEPARTMENT OCOTEPEQUE DEPARTMENT CORQUIN SAN ISIDRO MARCALA LA LABOR JIGUA COPAN SAN JUAN MERCEDES FLORIDA COPAN YAMARANGUILA EL PARAISO DEPARTMENT SAN MARCOS LA UNION DANLI SENSENTI NUEVA ARCADIA LEMPIRA DEPARTMENT JACALEAPA SINUAPA SAN PEDRO COPAN BELEN MOROCELI COLOLACA TEUPASENTI SANTA BÁRBARA DEPARTMENT INTIBUCÁ DEPARTMENT GRACIAS SAN MATIAS NUEVA FRONTERA DOLORES GUARITA YUSCARAN INTIBUCA LA CAMPA JESUS DE OTORO

2 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Building on World Vision’s GEO project

THRIVE is building on the Generating development clusters, and will include They have learned about crop Economic Opportunities (GEO) 220 communities. diversifi cation, reducing crop loss, project that ended in mid-2017. and staggered planting, among GEO targeted at-risk youth and their Here are accomplishments since the other technical topics. families in the dry corridor of western THRIVE program started: Honduras with some of the same • World Vision volunteers from interventions that are included in • Forty coffee producers have Lenca, North West, and Central THRIVE. received training and seen East community development demonstrations at World Vision’s areas mapped 1,044 community The project reached 2,583 families, model farm, aimed at improving organizations, including savings or more than double the original goal the quality of coffee through groups, water management to help 1,200 families increase their technical training aimed specifi cally boards, and producer groups. incomes and improve their quality of at coffee producers. Using a mobile app, they also life. Honduras THRIVE will continue identifi ed potential participants, to serve the families and geographical • Seventy-one producers of a approach strategies, and areas served by GEO. THRIVE will variety of crops have been trained geographical priorities for expand from two to fi ve community at four farmer fi eld schools. THRIVE.

PRODUCERS LINKED FARMERS GRADUATED COFFEE SOLD

Producers of tomatoes, Ten farmers graduated from The Cocrebistol cooperative chile peppers, and jalapeno Coffee Quality Control sold 448 pounds of specialty peppers are being linked to school. The participants, coffee to Pure Coffee national markets through from World Vision producer of Belgium, with a price the Fertile Land Program of groups earned diplomas, differential of $50 above the Walmart. at the school run by the New York Stock Exchange. Jicatuyo Foundation.

3 DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS

At the beginning of a multi-year farmers and provides environmental capacity of farmers to manage and program, forming partnerships with stewardship. protect forests. other organizations is an essential step toward success. World Vision USAID Dry Corridor Alliance: The General Directorate of Irrigation will be working with partners that fi ve-year project, funded by the and Drainage: Government agency will contribute substantially to the World Bank, helps families craft responsible for the development, THRIVE program over its six-year business and food security plans and operation, and maintenance of life. Some of these partnerships share best agricultural practices, irrigation systems. continue from the GEO project, including irrigation, fertilization and and others are new. Each partner production diversifi cation. It focuses Intibuca Local Economic brings experience, expertise, and on the climate-fragile stretch of land Development Agency: Provides the connections that are needed by (or dry corridor) heavily impacted physical offi ce space for the THRIVE THRIVE participants. by the 2015-2016 drought spanning program. Central America’s Pacifi c Coast. This These partnerships include: overlaps with THRIVE program areas. CUROC/UNAH UNAH-TEC, Danli: Provides technical assistance as well Co. HONDUCAFE: Honduras’ USAID Markets: Coordinates as coordinating forums, fairs, and largest coffee exporter, dedicated technical assistance activities in the expositions for farmers, through the to the marketing and export of high departments of Copán, Octotepeque, Universidad Nacional Autónoma quality coffee for over 50 years. and Santa Barbará. de Honduras, the national public It supports farmers with training university of Honduras. and technical assistance to increase Forestry Conservation Institute: the profi tability and harvests of Organizes and strengthens the

To our donors: In a context of citizenship insecurity, corruption, loss of hope, poverty, and environmental vulnerability, we ﬁ rmly believe that THRIVE is a proposal that is relevant to this reality, because it addresses the problem comprehensvely working on the being, doing, and having individual responsibility and solidarity ... we thank God and our Lord Jesus Christ for the opportunity afforded to us, to continue working together in the strengthening of his Kingdom here on earth, and our prayer is that he continues to abundantly bless your life. —Cesar Zelaya, program manager

This giant green pepper was grown by members of the World Vision-supported Fountain of Life Savings Group, now 48 members strong. The group began in 2003 with 18 people. Members farm the land owned by 66-year-old Jose Gustavo Benitez, the group secretary. The success of the project has attracted 30 new members, who helped it grow from a savings group worth $8,000 to $26,000.

4 POLITICAL CRISIS IMPACTS STAFF, FARMERS

Political and civil stability in Honduras measure, a strong military presence working from home, using cell has deteriorated since the general was deployed in major cities and phones and the internet to presidential elections on Nov. 26, along highways, but the opposition communicate with area program 2017. Incumbent President Juan has continued to block roads and (AP) staff. Traveling to supervise fi eld Orlando Hernández ran for re- demonstrate. programs is limited by road blocks. election after several Supreme Court To date, there are no injuries or judges who allied with his party voted On-going demonstrations in the losses in World Vision communities. to overturn the constitutional ban streets have deteriorated into Program fi eld work continues limiting presidents to one term. He riots and vandalism, so banks and under the limitations allowed by has been accused by the opposition businesses are managing limited travel restrictions. World Vision is candidate, Salvador Nasralla, of service hours. This, along with closed currently limiting travel to Honduras manipulating the results of the roads, is affecting the country’s to essential personnel. election. capacity to carry out business. The situation in the country remains Initial voting results favored the Of particularly concern are tense. Until some level of dialogue opposition candidate, but the fi nal commerce and agricultural starts and agreements are reached count, after delays and electronic production. With roads blocked between the two opposing parties, a systems failures, placed the on a regular basis, the ability to return to normal security levels are current president as the winner move produce within the country is not guaranteed. by 1.5 percent of the vote. As the limited. The coffee industry alone is results became known, massive predicting a potential 40 percent loss. We ask that you join us in prayer for demonstrations supporting the November to January is the peak peace and a return to civil harmony. opposition candidate started in season for coffee harvesting, and the In Honduras, World Vision’s work of multiple cities. They were initially inability to get labor to the farms for eliminating poverty has become more peaceful, but unfortunately turned harvesting, and the harvested beans critical than ever. violent, resulting in at least 31 to processing plants, is beginning to deaths, the burning of public and be felt. (Note: This update was written in early private buildings, looting, and January, when the situation remained blocked major roads. As a preventive World Vision staff mostly are fl uid.)

LESSONS LEARNED The persistence of the Santa In 2009, a group of vegetable They also assisted the association Efi gênia Producers Association producers from Santa Efi gênia formed in becoming a legal entity with a tax an association. They worked for number, expanding its sales potential is now an example for children, fi ve years without seeing any big from small, informal markets to young people, families, women, improvements in their profi ts or larger, formal markets. Together, and community organizations. what they could provide for their they decided to place an emphasis families. on business training, including taxes, operational controls, and fi nancial The work they did paid off with Even though they were discouraged, education. They also attended higher production and profi ts. they didn’t give up. workshops on gender and self- The farmers began replicating the esteem issues. techniques they learned at the farmer In 2016, World Vision and USAID fi eld school. They started to stagger Markets teamed up to support the As members grew in their business planting of their crops to provide 27 members of the association and agricultural knowledge, they products year round. through World Vision’s GEO project. became more motivated and They helped producers develop empowered. They attended a farmer World Vision is continuing to support leaders for their group and helped fi eld school to learn about cultivating this group through THRIVE. them diversify to grow coffee, tomatoes and beets and developed a vegetables, and grain crops. business plan for tomato cultivation.

5 THRIVE YOUTH GROUP LEARNS NEW FARMING TECHNIQUES

Jessica Hernandez, 16, is a member of a World Vision agricultural producer group for teenagers and young adults. The group is learning new farming techniques that will improve their lives and bring them closer to achieving their dreams.

Jessica Hernandez lives with her This project has been fun since Jessica grandma and uncle in the community is sharing the experience with her of La Asunción in San Marcos. best friend, Wendy, who also is 16. They work together at the farm school Three times a week, she travels 20 learning how to cut the leaves off minutes to her farm school to learn tomatoes, fertilize crops, and treat new agricultural techniques with her the soil. Jessica wanted to be a doctor agricultural youth group, composed of when she grew up, but now that 15 young men and women. she has been learning new farming My dream is to be techniques, she wants to become a big Thanks to World Vision’s THRIVE producer. able to pay for my program, they are growing not only education and become the traditional crops of corn, beans, Jessica already has generated more a bigger producer.” and coffee, but also diversifying to income. “I want to help take care of grow tomatoes, green bell peppers, my grandma. She is 80 years old,” —Jessica Hernandez onions, and carrots. Jessica has begun Jessica said. She also is investing for her replicating the techniques she’s learned education. and is growing new crops at home in her backyard. Like most 16-year-olds, Jessica is excited for the future, especially as From growing just corn and beans, she it pertains to growing her farming has added tomatoes and green bell business. Through THRIVE, she will peppers. She dreams of having a huge have access to better markets for her tomato plantation in the near future. crops and the opportunity to make her dreams come true. ¨What you learn in life you never forget, especially when you put it into practice,¨ said Jessica.

Jessica, left, enjoys learning about farming with her best friend, Wendy.

6 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Program-to-date spending is 62 percent of funds that have been released to the ﬁ eld. PROGRAM SPENDING

Program-to-Date Program-to-Date Fiscal Year-to-Date Activity Description Funding Released to Spending Spending Project 1. Vulnerable rural families generate sustainable and diversified increase in their income, especially women and youth 1.1. Rural families, especially women and youth, increase their inclusion and participation in savings groups or credit $ 142,392 131,477 131,477 unions 1.2. Vulnerable rural families increase and diversify income through the participation in value chains identified, with the $ 28,467 - - potential to access markets 1.3. Vulnerable rural families and smallholder producers develop skills in appropriate agricultural technology to $ 147,772 140,649 140,649 improve productivity and quality of, and access to, food for their children. 1.4. Rural families with sustainable access to credit and other financial services provided by VisionFund$ 49,462 - - 1.5. Entrepreneurship and employability skills in youth strengthened for income generation$ - - - Subtotal $ 368,093 272,126 272,126 2. Households and communities practice sustainable on- and off-farm natural resource management 2.1. The natural resources of smallholder farmers (soil, water, and nutrients) are used, managed, and protected in a $ - 3,871 3,871 sustainable manner 2.2. Watersheds are protected and managed in a sustainable way $ - - - 2.3. The community and municipal water resources are protected and managed in a sustainable way $ - - - Subtotal $ - 3,871 $ 3,871 3. Livelihoods of vulnerable rural families are resilient to risks and disasters. 3.1. The communities are aware of their greatest vulnerabilities and prepared with mitigation strategies $ - - - 3.2. Early alert systems are commissioned and operating $ - - - Subtotal $ - - $ - 4. Smallholder farmers and rural families are transformed from a culture of dependency to a culture of empowerment and collaboration 4.1. The staff has the necessary skills to implement Empowered Worldview (EWV) $ 123,120 - - 4.2. Partners, community leaders, and faith-based leaders are effective agents of change in the promotion of a model of $ - - - life focusing on the empowerment of families and community 4.3. Individuals and the community, especially the most vulnerable groups (women, children, the disabled), promote $ - - - their own development through the EWV Subtotal $ 123,120 - $ - Subtotal: World Vision 491,213 275,997 275,997 Quality Assurance $ 34,385 $ 19,320 $ 19,320 Management and Fundraising $ 175,199 $ 98,439 $ 98,439 Subtotal 209,584 117,759 117,759 TOTAL: WORLD VISION 700,797 393,756 393,756

VISION FUND Loan Capital 000 Fixed Assets 70,000 69,053 69,053 Operating Expenses 55,534 36,099 36,099 Subtotal: Vision Fund 125,534 105,152 105,152 Quality Assurance $ 9,449 $ 7,915 $ 7,915 Management and Fundraising $ 44,994 $ 37,689 $ 37,689 Subtotal 54,443 45,604 45,604 TOTAL: VISION FUND 179,977 150,756 150,756

GRAND TOTAL 880,774 544,512 544,512

Fiscal year 2017 is from October 2016 through September 2017.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

worldvision.org