Agros Blog

Mario Morales, the Executive Director for Agros Guatemala, has been working hard to demonstrate to the families of the existing Agros villages that they can pay off their land and provide for their children. Here’s a story direct from Guatemala demonstrating how the process can often take time. With the recent and extraordinary news that Pedro and Juana have paid off their land loans, the community now understands the importance and the possibilities for the future.

Here is Mario’s report:

Hello Everyone,

I’d like to share with you that on Thursday, May 25, 2007, I, along with Diego (Cotzal Coordinator), Job (Loan Officer), Jorge (Village Promoter), and families from neighboring and distant communities, met with all the families of Belen.

As a result from our gathering, many men and women realize they have lost a great deal of time and money to the committee that was misusing resources to pay land expenses. These families are now tired from the lack of results. The families also realize that Agros has been supporting their productive projects but due to their reluctance in seeking additional sources of income to repay their land, they realize that they are behind compared to other villages like La Esperanza, Cajixay and San Nicolas.

During the meeting, members of Agros recognized and affirmed the example of Pedro and Catarina, grandparents of Israel (a student at the Universidad del Valle) and parents of eight children, from both Pedro’s first and second marriages. Pedro and Catarina have paid off 50% of their land, and are an example worthy to imitate.

Further, Pedro Raymundo (46) and his wife Juana Sanchez (38), live in one of the houses furthest west of the village. Their house is plain and simple, but always clean. We can see their loving relation in how the speak to one another and their delight in their sons and daughters.

Pedro helps at the Word of Life Church, as an Elder and a servant in the prayer ministry, visiting communities and fasting for the sick and traumatized. His strong faith and wisdom have guided this important step for his family, and have served as a testimony for his community and committee leaders.

Pedro and Juana paid off 100% of their land at a total of Q 10,300.00 (US$1,373.33), and between June 20th and 30th will be receiving their land title. We will celebrate with joy and song, the first family from Belen to repay their land, as others will follow.

We give thanks to God for this journey and its progress — a steady raindrop making its mark on the land.

- Mario Morales, Director Fundación Agros, Guatemala