La Esperanza
“The Hope”
Suchitoto, Cuscatlán, El Salvador
Size: 120 acres
Population: 13 families
Founded: 2003
The families of La Esperanza come from various communities in El Salvador but were displaced from their villages of origin during El Salvador’s civil war. In 2002, the families came to Agros asking for help, hoping to become part of another Agros village. However, Agros advised that the ideal option would be to form a new village.
The families and Agros together began to meet regularly, beginning the process of family and land selection. In one meeting they discussed the profile of a good neighbor, qualities the families wanted to have as neighbors and qualities they wanted to avoid during the process of integration as a community.
After the selection process, Agros purchased the land and the families moved there in May 2003. The village harvested their first crops in December 2003. They have also installed a water system and built a community center with the help of service teams. They are now focusing on installing an irrigation system and diversifying their crops through individual family farm plans.
Projects planned for the 2008 – 2009 fiscal year include:
- Improve and maintain the road leading into the community
- Create an Emergency Committee
- Women’s economic initiatives, like starting small businesses
- Raise and fatten livestock throughout the year, including sheep
- Health-related discussions and workshops
