Honduras: Food Sustainablity for Women and Youth
Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods Through Agricultural Enhancement
Iriona, Honduras, Central America
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. One of the most isolated regions of this country is the municipality of Iriona in northeast Honduras, home to the Garifuna people. These people are descendents of former African slaves. They have suffered enormous oppression and poverty over the years. Iriona is on the path of some of the most severe hurricanes the world has ever seen.
As men often look for work outside of the community, such as on fishing and tourist ships, women are the primary farmers in Garifuna villages. They struggle to provide enough food for their families, rising at 3 am and working in the fields until the tropical sun becomes too overwhelming at mid-morning. They prepare food for their children and process the harvest for future consumption and some sales. The Garifuna Agricultural Enhancement program will teach greater agricultural diversity and sustainability through education and micro-credit programs for women and youth. The goal is to ensure food security and higher family incomes in the future. Participants in the project include 81 women (from nine communities) and 300 junior high school students. Training and education will be provided on bio-intensive sustainable crop management and composting techniques. This project will also include educational radio programs, bio-intensive farming plots for training purposes and construction of a regional training and cultural centre which also serves as a hurricane shelter.
This is a CIDA supported program. The Government of Canada will match your donation by $2.00 for every $1.00 given.
In partnership with CAUSE Canada
