Agros Blog

In November I had the privilege to visit Agros’ 39^th village, Bella Vista, in Honduras.  The land had been purchased in September, and in just two short months so much had already been accomplished!  We drove up the dirt road from Santa Barbara (the nearest city) and entered into the fog over the mountains where Bella Vista is located.  After 30 minutes or so, we parked next to a huge pile of PVC pipe and I was informed that we had arrived.

As I got out of the truck, through the mist I could see the frames of six different houses going up, and could hear the pounding of the nails going into the wood.  The PVC was for their water system, to bring the critical water from a neighboring water source to irrigate their crops.  Almost all the families had planted their corn to feed their families, and several had already begun planting coffee plants.

Two families had transferred from Los Bordos, the poverty-stricken slum along the rivers outside of San Pedro Sula, to return to the rural farming life they used to live. We had a meeting with all of the families and the new secretary of the group diligently took notes throughout our time together.  The Agros model in action… so quickly seeing transformation take place before my eyes.

By the end of the visit the mist lifted and I could finally see what everyone had been so excited about and what they named their community after… the beautiful view.  La Bella Vista!

Today the families in Bella Vista have accomplished the following:

• Over 50 acres of corn planted and growing for the families’ food security
• 6,000 new coffee plants sown, and 12,000 more in the nursery
• Over 5 acres of land in preparation to plant more coffee plants
• 80% of the ditches have been dug to lay the pipe for the irrigation system
• The full property has been measured and subdivided among areas for crops, forest and housing
• Five homes have been built (three of which are currently inhabited), and three more are in process of construction
• Three latrines under construction
• Six of the homes have water connections already
• Families have received trainings in soil conservation, use of composting latrines, leadership, and how to create community bylaws
• Three community members have volunteered to lead small workshops on hygiene, nutrition and cooking cleanliness
• Community is working with other organizations to access seeds, market their goods, as well as receiving some technical assistance in health and education from them
• Community is partnering with a local church

On January 6^th the families completed the process of dividing the parcels of land among themselves.  Our Honduras staff wrote me that everyone in the community was anxious and excited to see which plot would be theirs…for their homes and for their crops…  For their children and for their future.

Bella Vista has taken off and they are not letting any time be wasted as they build and design their community.

What a beautiful thing to witness.