Hello and a note from Honduras
Our Hillspring staff member in Honduras, Eduardo, put together a wonderful article about Ojo de Agua. It is a perfect update on our partnership and work in Honduras. Our Honduran ministry is an excellent reflection of the Hillspring values of connecting with the people God puts in our lives, developing meaningful relationships, and changing the world for good.
Steve Lewis
Background
6 years has passed since the first steps into the Ojo de Agua Village in San Jerónimo were taken. After creating a strong relation with the community, the heavy work started, supporting the village to find out a way to have clean water, rather than walking all the way to the water shred. Over the years while creating and empowering the relationship, housing and education has been helped with infrastructure. Now, every Family has a cinder block house, substituting the old and unsafe adobe, mud and sticks houses. A new School building has been done to reinforce kids education on the community.
Quarterly Activities
Continuing with the comprehensive support of the Ojo de Agua community, and seeking to implement livelihoods, the installation of a chicken project was proposed. This in order to generate income through the reproduction and sale of birds, as well as the use through the consumption of eggs and also their sale.
Built to last
The chicken coop with dimensions 5m x 6m and a height of 4 m, houses 120 hens and 4 roosters. This was built during the months of January and February. The construction of the chicken coop involved the different families as well as a group of volunteers from Hillspring Church. Construction was completed in the first week of March.
The structure of the chicken coop is metallic. Wood is usually used, but due to the high cost and short duration of wood, compared to metal, metal tube and blocks were used for the structure. In the back, it has a metal structure where the chickens will lay their eggs and they will be collected from the outside. It has a concrete floor to ensure cleanliness. A layer of sawdust has been added to prevent moisture and soften the birds' supporting surface
The families have received training on how to manage the project from PAG's Agricultural Production program. The training program covers the topic of bird care, how to avoid diseases and maintain good health in them and also how to generate income through the sale of eggs. A small business model was established, which determines the process for marketing the products derived from the project, whether eggs or hatchlings. They were trained in how to make organic fertilizer by taking advantage of the birds manure this can generate extra income and can also be used in the plantations of the same beneficiaries. Support was provided on how to develop a project management plan, where all families are involved and have responsibility within the project. A board was created, which will be responsible for ensuring the proper functioning and sustainability of the small poultry farm. PAG will provide technical assistance as needed and as families learn how to handle any situation that may arise.
Clockwise from top: Happy hens; child collecting eggs; flock shot; eggs waiting for collection
Sewing Center
To help create more opportunities, the creation of a sewing center within the community has also been initiated. This in order to provide the necessary knowledge to involved families in the making of basic clothes. In this way, one more livelihood is generated, allowing it to diversify the opportunities for sustainability to the community, offering sewing services to people both from the community itself and from neighboring communities.
Sewing Center progress
Terrero Blanco Activities
The house of Darvin Soto was at imminent risk due to a water flow in front of his house. Houses like this one, which were also built with the church funds in previous years, are deteriorated due to the rains and the bad location of their construction. Darvin was supported with the materials so that he could build a ditch that would drain and divert the water that previously fell into his house. The beneficiary has built the gutter with his knowledge of masonry, using the donated materials
Left to right: Water damage to Darvin’s house from storm drainage; A recently built water ditch to redirect water away from homes; Access ramp to Darvin’s house.
In addition, the sanitary module of the school of this community is being built. Similarly, materials such as cement, gutter, sheet metal and doors were donated so that they could start construction. The labor is paid by the parents. Currently the module is 40% complete. The economic situation of the families has not been able to allow them to advance faster in the construction of the module, it is expected to be completed in April.
Eduardo Lanza
Community Development - Honduras