Agros Blog

Dear Agros Supporters,

Over the past few years, the work of Agros International has expanded to restore hope and opportunity to more of the rural poor than we ever dreamed possible. Because of the support of partners like you, 8,500 people who had lost hope are healing their scars and building a brighter future for themselves and their children.

In light of the current global economic downturn, we want to reaffirm to you — our valued friends and partners — our commitment to serving the poor during these difficult times, and to let you know how we are adjusting our plans in response.

1. As an organization committed to long term, sustainable development, our commitment to the extreme poor will not waver in these times. The poor are always the first to suffer in an economic downtown, and the last to benefit in any upward change. What we offer the rural poor is an opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty through a holistic approach that works to restore the physical, emotional, and spiritual brokenness of the people we serve. We believe this goal is still worthy of their commitment, our commitment, and yours.

2. We remain committed to the villages we have started. We planned carefully for their success, and will continue to support their efforts to become self-sufficient and productive.

3. We will continue to move forward to launch and support a total of six additional village projects this fiscal year (three have been launched to date), completing the funding for their journey, and working with them to set them on land they can own, in productive and healthy communities.  This will make for a total of 40 Agros villages across Central America and Mexico.

4. We will adjust additional growth goals for the current year, and remain flexible as we plan. Much of our growth is dependent upon raising sufficient funds, and we will not plan what cannot be supported.

5. While we take a long and strategic view of our capacity needs, we will trim expenses wherever that will have a minimum effect on the execution of our mission, both at our headquarters in Seattle, and across our international country offices.

At our root, we are committed to provide the poor with the means to matter to themselves, to their communities and to their future generations. We are grateful that you have stood with us in this commitment, and invite you to continue to stand with us as we walk with the poor of Central America and southern Mexico.

Sincerely,

Greg Rake
President