| Nuevo Renacer “New Birth” Suchitoto, Cuscatlán, El Salvador Size: 94.8 acres |
 Download a Summer 2010 Village Update |
 Download a 2010 Village Plan |
In March of 2005, 65 families from various communities, the majority tenant farmers, organized themselves to purchase land and to build their own community. Many of these families left their places of origin because of armed conflicts that affected the country and are now working to improve their living conditions and economic incomes. In the past they rented low-quality land for the cultivation of simple grains and various vegetables for between $30 and $40 dollars a year, a price that their production income generally did not cover. Twenty-six families were chosen from the original 65, and ninety percent of these families have experience in agriculture (sowing of basic grains and some vegetables).
Several members of the community have worked together on other projects in the past. They have a general knowledge of accounting, masonry, carpentry, baking and fish-farming. The members of the community hope to receive training in computation, culinary skills, shoe-making, and the marketing of agricultural products to further improve their lifestyles. They, with Agros’ support, hope to receive support from the local Suchitoto government for mutually beneficial projects such as the improvement of the road, potable water and electrical energy.
The land that the group purchased is roughly 4 miles from the market of Aguilares and about 5 miles from the market of Suchitoto. The community has plenty of natural resources, including a nearby river during the rainy season and a water source about one mile from the village.
Projects planned for the 2010-2011 fiscal year include:
- Drilling a well as a new source of water
- Revising community bylaws to better reflect family’s values
- Women initiating a textile business
- Providing the resource center with educational material for children
- Beginning a community bakery
- Expanding irrigation tubing throughout fields
