ABOUT HONDURAS AND EL ROSARIO
Honduras is the Third Poorest Country in the Western Hemisphere

Partnering with Americans Caring Teaching Sharing (ACTS), Engineers Without Borders (EWB), and Sustainable Harvest International (SHI), we fund the educational needs and opportunities in an intense community development process that encompasses medical care, economic diversification, water and sanitary improvements, agricultural practices, and improved nutrition, all to promote a better life for the villagers and future generations. Please see our PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, and PLANS for greater detail on how TCI is taking the initiative to help children in need in Honduras.

Honduras
Roughly the size of the state of Tennessee, Honduras has a population of approximately 7.5 million. It is a multi ethnic country consisting of mestizos (Spanish and Indian) 90% Amerindian 7%, black 2% and white 1%. It is the third poorest nation in the western hemisphere it’s poverty exceeded only by Haiti and Nicaragua. Endowed by natural resources, the vast majority of the land is owned by absentee landlords and corporations. The estimated per capita income (2005) was $2800 but for rural people it is substantially less. A free-trade agreement (CAFTA) was reached with the U.S. in 2006, but the effects, particularly on rural farmers, may be greater cause for concern than hope.

Now a democratic constitutional republic, Honduras has a history of political instability, intervention, and ineffective governments.  In the 1980’s the Country faced severe tensions along its southern border as Contras waged a guerilla war in Nicaragua with the support of U.S. military based in Honduras. More recently Hurricane Mitch created widespread devastation with the destruction of much of the Country’s infrastructure and the loss of thirteen thousand lives.

El Rosario
El Rosario, a community of approximately nine hundred, is a difficult, three and one half hour four-wheel drive from the nearest large city of San Pedro Sula. El Rosario and its surrounding small villages, some of which can only be reached by hiking or horseback, have suffered from the ill effects of archaic slash and burn farming practices, lack of potable water, the proliferation of  water-borne illnesses and intestinal parasites, malnutrition, and the devastation of natural disasters. Extreme poverty is the result, but an amazing transformation is underway.

ACTS
TCI is fortunate to partner with ACTS (www.actshonduras.org) which has tackled the above problems and initiated community development programs in El Rosario and surrounding villages for over twenty years. The mission of ACTS is to promote sustainable programs for health, education and development in collaboration with the people of El Rosario and the sixteen surrounding villages. ACTS has established an active medical clinic and regularly sends teams of doctors and health professionals from Dartmouth’s Mary Hitchcock Hospital. Working with the Northeastern University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (www.ewb.neu.edu), they have spearheaded the effort to bring clean water to remote villages, and build latrines and stoves to improve hygiene. In collaboration with Sustainable Harvest International (FUCOSA in Honduras) (www.sustainableharvest.org), they have established sustainable agricultural practices, improved land use, and encouraged the active participation of villagers in numerous committees that take responsibility for future community improvements and for their children.

The Children’s Initiative is pleased to fund the construction and establishment of a Community Center and Library in El Rosario. The Center will not only serve as the focal point for community activities, but will have resources to help improve literacy, teach new technical and agricultural skills, and train for the leadership roles of the future. Through our association with ACTS, teacher teams from the US will make regular visits to provide additional resources and to help the local teachers improve their skills and techniques, putting the Center to maximum use.

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