Agros Blog

Before moving to the Agros Honduras community of Brisas del Volcán, Omar and his wife Ana Maria had gone through countless trials. Omar walked five miles to work as a day laborer for a large landowner. He worked two weeks at a time, only returning briefly to spend time with his family before leaving once more. Despite his hard work, he was barely able to feed his family. Ana Maria describes the experience:

“My husband was a day laborer in the fields growing coffee, grains, and other crops. He worked hard for the landowner and received pay of $1 a day, which added up to about $20 a month. Every day, Omar would walk 8 kilometers to work in the fields. Sometimes he would be away for up to 15 days so that he could feed the children.”

Living paycheck to paycheck, he had no dreams for the future, and had simply accepted his poverty. “How could I possibly imagine owning land if all we had ever known was this place where we worked for someone else?” explained Omar.

Despite her husband’s concession, Ana Maria still dreamed of a life of economic freedom and stability. When she heard about Agros, she excitedly convinced Omar of the possibilities, and they moved to Brisas del Volcán.

Their lives have completely transformed since their arrival at Brisas. They have a permanent home, made of sturdy cement blocks, complete with running water. They are growing coffee, plantains, and cacao, but this time on their own land, and their efforts will allow them to own it out right. In addition to what they are growing for profits, they have basic grains and a milk cow for personal consumption. Omar has also been attending an adult literacy class through which he has learned how to write his name. Ana Maria has been able to contribute to the family income as well:

“I have always been a dynamic and entrepreneurial woman. I have been able to use these qualities in my community. For a year I have been active as a leader and treasurer of the Brisas del Volcán community bank. My involvement with the bank made me feel so empowered, and I feel as though I am able to give back and serve other members of the community. I even decided to learn how to read and write. Little by little I began to integrate activities into my daily life that would generate income, such as selling tamales and bread, occasionally washing clothes, harvesting coffee, and hauling firewood. I was also a partner of a small tajaditas (plantain chips) business with two of my friends.”

Ana Maria and the rest of the women in the community bank are about to enter in to the third loan cycle. She borrowed $127 in the first cycle, and $180 in the second cycle. She has managed to pay off both loans by selling the tamales and bread that she makes. Each month she earns $30 profit, which allows her to continue to invest in savings in the community bank. The tajaditas business is thriving as well. Members of the village have produced 400 pounds of plantains to date, with a profit of $191. Ana Maria is also currently designing labels that can increase sales.

With all they have accomplished, Omar and Ana Maria now believe that the sky is the limit. Some of Ana Maria’s goals for the future include:

• Giving her children an education
• Having a united family
• Growing as a business woman and generating more income
• Producing her own raw materials (such as plantains)
• Having a space with conditions that help increase her productive activity

The couple smiles with happiness at what they have accomplished and what is yet to come. They are deeply thankful for what Agros has done for them and are passionate about future endeavors.