Nuevo Amanecer
“New Dawn”
Masaguara, Intibuca, Honduras
Size: 140 acres
Population: 14 families
Founded: 2004
This Agros community began forming in 2004, with families joining from several different communities and the purchase of the land in that year. The initial two years experienced a slow start (when the community was named Agros Uno) and resulted in a change of families over time. Since May 2006 Agros staff has worked to restructure the community, which is now solidifying with the arrival of a group of new families from nearby Campanario Uno.
Situated in the Otoro Valley, near the community of San Antonio de Masaguara, the families are building homes and garden plots that will have road access and potable water and are environmentally designed to reduce the amount of damage to green areas. A reservoir to provide water for the animals and irrigation of 40% of the farmland during the dry season has been designed and will supply water during the dry season.
In order to maximize sustainability of economic activities, the families of Nuevo Amanecer together with Agros staff are working on a three-year strategic plan. The plan consists of communal productive activities assisted by Agros field staff and includes: cultivation of wood-bearing trees, basic grains and vegetables, raising cattle and improving nutrition with milk, eggs, and fresh produce from family gardens. Agros also supports the community to continue strengthening existing partnerships and to grow in areas of preventative health and spiritual development.
Projects planned for the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year include:
- Families fortifying community values through seminars and meetings
- Installing a larger storage tank to ensure year-round access to water
- Women initiating their first community bank
- Developing relationships with partnering organizations
- Reforesting surrounding areas to restore natural resources
- Training two health promoters in the community to address minor problems
