Agros Blog

The full participation and involvement of the people we serve is fundamental to the mission of Agros. Paola, a 19-year-old woman from Cajixay, Guatemala, has worked as an Agros promoter since 2006. Her passion to improve the lives of the poor has helped many women in Guatemala. She is currently studying Social Work at the University of Santa Cruz.

“Agros began to work with Cajixay in 2002, and I have seen many changes since then, both in the lives of my family and in the whole community. My family has its own house for the first time!”

In November 2006, Agros offered Paola a job as a promoter of the textiles and weaving project. “I teach women how to improve their products and how to sell them more effectively. I work with all the Agros villages in the area, including Cajixay. It is a privilege to help the women in my own community. I am even teaching my mother!”

With the money that she earns, Paola pays for her studies at the university. “I work Monday through Friday for Agros, and I attend classes on Saturdays in Santa Cruz del Quiché. Saturdays are long days; I leave my house at 4 in the morning and return at about 10 at night, but it is worth the effort.”

Paola is studying social work, and her dream is to continue helping the people in her community and in all of Guatemala. “I love my work!” she says.

Paola’s deep conviction to help the poor are reflected in these words, “I want to urge all you who read this - fight to improve your lives. And if you don’t have your own struggles, fight to improve other people’s lives.”

We have a new opening at Agros for a Major Gift Officer:

GENERAL FUNCTION:  Initiate and cultivate relationships with potential major donors (individuals, businesses, and family foundations) who have the capability of making significant financial contributions to Agros International; maintain and build strong relationships with existing Agros International major donors; and professionally and effectively ask for financial gifts to fund the mission and program of Agros International.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Minimum of 3-5 years major donor fundraising experience
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Effective combination of being people-oriented, detail-oriented, and direct enough to ask for large gifts
• Capability to develop and maintain long-term funding relationships
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office and Blackbaud’s “Raiser’s Edge”)

PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.

Agros International is pleased to welcome its new Director for Agros Honduras, Joel Martínez.

Joel Martínez Durón is a certified Agricultural Engineer with a Master’s Degree in ‘Generation of Development Projects’ and a background in Business Administration and Organizational Development. Joining Agros as the Executive Director of Agros Honduras, Joel’s twelve years of experience directing development projects in the field will greatly contribute to the families in Agros Honduras communities.

Prior to his role with Agros, Joel served as the Director of Program Development in Morzán Yoro for World Vision Honduras.  Joel led the strategic and operative planning process for the program, as well as comprehensive monitoring of the program’s impact.  He directed a team of field staff providing health, education, and economic development projects to the targeted population.

Joel was also responsible for administering the World Vision sponsorship program that generates 50% of the program’s funding. With his depth of experience and networking contacts relevant to the work of Agros, Joel will be a tremendous leader as the Honduras team continues to bring land, hope, and life to impoverished families in Honduras.

Welcome Joel!

On June 2nd, 2008, Nathan Hawkins joined Agros as the new Service Team Coordinator. Nathan is originally from Minneapolis and has lived in Mexico, East Tennessee, and most recently New Orleans, where he helped with rebuilding efforts after hurricane Katrina. He met his wife Joy in Tijuana, and together they moved to Seattle on November 2007. We’re truly excited to have Nathan join us.

Quoting the words of Frederick Buechner, Nathan describes his vocational calling as an intersection between “the place where deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” Nathan adds, “I truly believe one such intersection for me is this opportunity to serve with Agros. I am so grateful to be joining you. I look forward to developing friendships and serving diligently alongside everyone at Agros and the many partners Agros counts as friends.”

Tara E. Leung will be leaving us on June 13th to pursue a masters program in International Development at Tufts University in Boston. She has worked and served with passion, excellence, and commitment.

Our very best wishes to Tara and a warm welcome to Nathan!

Mario Gaitán, executive director of Agros Nicaragua, reports on the actions taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Felix:

“Because of the devastating consequences of Hurricane Felix in Nicaragua, Agros created a special fund to meet the basic needs of the families impacted by the hurricane. Here is what is being done in each affected Agros Nicaragua village:

Norwich
We’ve been working hard to revitalize the production of sorghum that was affected by flooding. We’ve hired a doctor to provide health care to families in the village, giving special priority to children and women. We’ve also been able to acquire preventive medicines for the villagers to complete a community first aid post, which will be used to treat common illnesses such as flu, fever, and dengue.

Agros Nicaragua also purchased abate, a substance used to disinfect water by killing the parasites that later become mosquitoes that transmit dengue. The families are not only prepared to fight common illnesses during this season, but also are better prepared to prevent health problems in the future.

San José
In the Agros Village San José, we’ve purchased 20qq of bean seeds in order to replenish the food supplies for 28 families. The Nicaraguan team is also providing support with additional agricultural supplies and building materials for the construction of fertilizer latrines. A doctor was hired to provide post-hurricane health care for all 28 families.

El Edén
Agricultural supplies have been purchased to help replenish food supplies for all 27 families. Basic grains will be planted, with harvest targeted for the second crop of the year. 3.4 acres of Maracuya will also be replanted.

As a final note, I would personally like to thank all of the families in the US who have donated funds to support these families in Nicaragua. These resources are an abundant blessing in this difficult season.

The families in Agros Nicaragua villages are actually in good spirits, and are very hopeful in spite of the circumstances.

Greetings to all,
Mario Gaitán
Executive Director, Agros Nicaragua”

Brooke will join the Agros team in September 2007 as the Service and Education Manager. Before joining Agros, Brooke served as the Training and Resource Specialist at School’s Out Washington, a program of the YWCA of Seattle, King County & Snohomish County. In this position she provided technical assistance and training to afterschool programs in King County through the Washington Regional Afterschool Project (WRAP).

Prior to returning to Seattle in July 2006, Brooke and her husband James served for two years as Peace Corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic, where she worked in positive youth development and provided technical support and training to teachers. Brooke also served for two years in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in both East Los Angeles and Seattle. She has a Bachelors Degree in Spanish from Seattle University and a Masters Degree in Social Work with a macro concentration in Program Planning & Development, Management, and Community Organization from Boston University.

In her free-time, Brooke enjoys supporting Seattle’s current Jesuit Volunteer community, running, cheering for the Red Sox, and heading east over the mountains to hike and spend time with her family in Wenatchee. Brooke is beyond excited to join the Agros team and eager to reconnect with Latin America and support Agros’ service teams!

I had promised in a previous blog post to introduce several members of the Agros staff serving in the field. This first introduction is of Kira López, the Agros Noemí Fund Coordinator. Kira is an extraordinary person, and we’re very fortunate to have her as part of the Agros team.

My name is Kira López. I am Nicaraguan and the mother of my six year old daughter Kyra Saraí. I am the oldest of 5 brothers and sisters, all of whom had to work very hard to get to where we all are today. I live in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, a stunning country of lakes, volcanoes and other natural beauty located in Central America. With His grace, the Lord has allowed me to enter into a career of Business Administration and receive a Master’s in Business from the Central American Institute of Business Administration (INCAE). I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart when I was seven years old and since that day I have been living following the example He has given us.

Two years ago I became a part of the Agros family, accompanying and facilitating the development process for thousands of people of Central America and Mexico, particularly in the coordination of the organization’s loan operations.

Twelve years ago I began participating in different development projects and for 8 years I was the Executive Director of an institution that specialized in microfinance, facilitating and promoting access to financial services for low-income individuals, especially those living in rural areas.

I enjoy what I do with Agros and I feel that it is a blessing to be able to serve others. If I share and put into practice what God has allowed me to learn through all these years, I can make a positive difference in the lives of the families partnering with Agros to realize their dreams.