Agros Blog

This is the first installment of what we hope will be a continuing series, Sharing Their Voices, which will highlight some of  the families living in Agros communities. These blogs will share the journeys that they have taken, as well as the impact that Agros has had on their lives, in their own words.  We hope this will give you a glimpse into their lives and help you better understand the work that we do in partnership with them.

Carlos Roberto and his wife Arely are members of the Agros community Bella Vista, Honduras where they live with their three sons: William, Carlos and Luis. Bella Vista was founded in September 2009 and was the fourth Agros community to launch in Honduras.

Prior to partnering with Agros, the family lived in a borrowed house with no latrine and had to rely on Carlos’ family for support. Like most families in the area where they lived, they did not own their own plot of land. Yet, their livelihood was contingent on their cultivation of basic grains so they had no other option but to plant crops on remote land in order to sustain themselves.

Their circumstances were very difficult but Carlos dreamed of someday growing coffee – a crop that he knew a great deal about – on a plot of his own land. In faith, Carlos planted almost two acres of coffee, a long-term crop that requires 3-5 years for the first harvest, even though he did not own his land and the results were uncertain.

Since Carlos and Arely partnered with Agros, their lives have changed drastically. Within the first year and a half of receiving a plot of land,Carlos was able to plant his crops – which included transplanting the coffee seedlings he had planted in the hopes of a better future – and began harvesting them that upcoming season. The family has also successfully harvested bananas, yucca, passion fruit, and corn, and now owns a cow for milk production. Carlos doesn’t just dream about coffee anymore, but was able to make his dream a reality, thanks to lots of hard work and the support of Agros.

Agros

In addition to all this, Arely motivated a group of women to form Bella Vista’s first Women’s Community Bank “Luz de Dios” (Light of God,) and currently serves as the bank’s president. The group receives loans that are then invested in their individual businesses. The women also save collectively in the hopes of one day providing loans to others. Through this work, Arely has learned how to manage a small business, and has raised about 100 chickens, which she will soon sell. This will allow Arely to spend money on necessary items like food and education for her children, and in the long term it diversifies her family’s income and helps them become self-sustaining.

It was with big smiles that this family shared all they had been able to accomplish with the support of Agros. “We are up to date on managing the fields, and are receiving training, so that we are able to become more specialized.” They view the land they will someday own as “precious gift from God,” and are confident that it will not be too much longer before they will be able to pay off their land loan and receive the title. “Our dream is that we would see our children graduate, be competitive producers at a high level, sell our products in the ideal market for exports, and expand our crop areas while improving our living conditions. Thanks be to God for Agros International.”

The following was written by Kelsey Monson, Agros International Intern in the Programs Department:

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.