Chinda

The municipality Chinda is found in the department of Santa Bárbara, in West Honduras. The main commercial activity is concentrated in the  agricultural sector, divided as follows: maize 30%, beans 30%, vegetables 10%, cattle 10%, coffee 10% and other activities (like bee keeping, poultry etc.) 10%.

Only a small number of people has access to land. And the majority of those who have, only have access to a small plot from 0,2 acres up to a maximum of 3,5 acres. 95 percent of the land is rented, which means that the families have to pay huge rents to the people who own the land.

In general it can be concluded that the majority of the families does not own land in order to improve their standard of living. The products from the communities are mainly brought on the market and sold to neighbors within the communities, or to other communities on the ´farmer market´. Sometimes, products are sold to outside traders, but that is just a small part of the production. The main part is used by the families for consuming.  

The migration rate within this municipality is very high. The majority of the youngsters leave their homes to look for work in the city. This high rate is alarming, since it affects the prevalence of leadership and the sustainability of local organizations within these rural communities.  Economically, OCDIH is working with the communities on setting up small local businesses to generate income, strengthening the production in order to bring more products on the market, and OCDIH is supporting the ´farmer market´ as an opportunity for the families to generate income directly without depending on outside traders.  

The vision of the local government in Chinda, Santa Bárbara, is very short term. Focused on the current needs within the communities, the local government does not have an integral plan towards the future.  In general, the relationship between civil society and local government is harmonious on some specific themes. On other themes, the various interests may not coincide which makes the cooperation more difficult at times. 

 The strategic plan that the municipality has, is not focused on poverty reduction. The majority of the projects within this plan do not derive from the real needs of the communities, since they have not been constructed by the participation of these same communities.   With the neighboring municipalities of Ilama and San Antonio, Chinda coordinates its activities.

Their shared interest goes out to the protection of the mountain ´La Nieve´. At this moment, Chinda is part of the Regional Environmental Council, which is an institution that mobilizes resources for the implementation of projects.  

The majority of the women are working in the house, dedicated to maintaining the household. Only a small percentage is represented in the management in the local organizations, which can be explained by the cultural pattern in which the man dominates.  Gender is a cross-cutting issue in the work of OCDIH. OCDIH is implementing projects that promote the active and effective participation of women, while at the same time empowering them to take an active role in the activities that generate income.  

Within civil society, there are two organized structures on a municipal level: the Federation of Community Leaders (Patronatos) and the Association of Water Committees (Asociacion de Juntas de Agua). Their priorities are environmental issues, lobby for just and healthy public policies, community development, the integration of the most vulnerable in the decision making process, and the mobilization of funding for the implementation of community projects.  En general, it can be said that the population is open to change and willing to participate in meetings with the local government. The neighboring municipalities communicate their needs and accomplishments during meetings and assemblies. Their participation is fundamental in a democracy, and they are willing to participate in all the things that affect them and their communities. 

 OCDIH is supporting the civil society in order to strengthen the organizations present in the region. This way, the organizations can increase their impact to give the development of their municipality a real push forward.  

Culture

The municipal fair is celebrated from the first until the 15th of August. The fair is dedicated to the virgin of the angels. Therefore, on the 8th of August a traditional festivity is organized, together with the municipalities of Ilama, which ends with a delightful traditional drink. Dishes from this region are mainly based on maize.

 

 

 

 

Ilama

The municipality Ilama is located in the department Santa Bárbara. This municipality is part of the Association of Municipalities (Mancomunidad) AMUPROLAGO, in which they strive for the protection of the lake.

In the higher part of the natural water well, 50% of the economic activity is dedicated to the production of coffee. In the lower parts, 50% of the produced products is pepper. On a very small scale, crafts are made of palm or rush. Usually, it is the women – sometimes with the help of the children - who make the crafts and hammocks. Usually, the products are brought on the market through intermediaries (coyotes).

Only a very small number of people go themselves to the markets of San Pedro Sula or La Ceiba. Ilama is an extremely poor municipality and the payment of taxes is very limited. Even though there is little support for this municipality, a small enterprise for the elaboration of hammocks has been set up with funding from the Poverty Eradication Strategy. 

OCDIH is supporting women and men in organizing and financing small enterprises and community banks. Also, in order to increase food security in this municipality, OCDIH is supporting the agricultural production and market access by the ´farmers fair´. On this ´farmers fair´ the producers are linked directly to the consumers, and become less dependent upon intermediaries (coyotes).

The majority of the population does not own land. This is one of the reasons for the high migration rate. The young start working in factories of the big cities because in their villages there is no land to farm. There is a very low developed culture of participation, but, because of the work of OCDIH on themes that are important to the population, we are seeing more political and social activity within the communities.

Culture

The municipal fair is celebrated in the beginning of February, dedicated to the Virgin Lourdes. Traditional drinks in this region are a wine made of fruit (coyol), wine made of pepper and a local brew made of fermented maize. Traditional dishes are maize products like tamales, tortillas, as well as rice and beans.

Within the municipality there is a group of youngsters who perform cultural presentations at special events. At this moment, this group is supported by the Christian Fund.

 

 

 

 San Antonio, Cortés

The municipality San Antonio Cortes is found in the Northern part of the country. The main economic activities fall within the agricultural sector (60%), a smaller but still substantial part in the industrial sector (40%), and the rest is divided over cattle (10%), coffee (3%) and small businesses (2%).

Even though the biggest part of the people working in the industrial sector (factories) is female, the majority of the women work at home.

The agricultural products are brought on the market and sold locally to the communities Río Lindo, Peña Blanca, Potrerillos, Villanueva and to the city San Pedro Sula. OCDIH supports the establishment of family gardens and organic production, in order to increase the food security and make the communities less depended upon food produced with a high amount of chemicals. 

The majority of the people own land in this sector, 70 percent, which leaves 30 percent without land. Half of the people without land have been assigned a plot by the National Agrarian Institute.

The migration is very special in San Antonio, and consists of two specific tendencies.

 Immigration: the majority of the people living in San Antonio has been living there since the war between Honduras and El Salvador, but is originally from the departments Lempira and Intibucá.

Emigration: almost 25 percent of the families of San Antonio depend on jobs in factories in and around San Pedro Sula. And most of the employees at a certain moment decide to leave San Antonio and move closer to work.

The civil society within this municipality is organized by the Association of Community Leaders (Patronatos) and Water Committees (Juntas de Agua) which coordinate their activities with the technical municipal departments.San Antonio de Cortés lacks a culture of civil participation; the population shows little interest in the well functioning of the local government or the use of municipal funding. While educating the population on their rights and duties and the possibilities of civil participation, hopefully more citizens will get involved in local politics. Even though the major is female, the municipality doesn’t have a Women´s Office. Furthermore, the participation of women is very little in decision-making processes. Women are supposed to be in the house and to take care of the children.

The local fair of this municipality is celebrated on the 13th of June and dedicated to the Saint Antonio de Padua. A traditional drink from this region is horchata (made of various seeds and nuts. A traditional dish is chicken soup and tamales (made of maize). But this municipality also celebrates other festivities during the year: the 3th of February dedicated to the Virgin of Suyapa in the communities Las Casitas, the 16th of July dedicated to the Virgin of Carmen in the community Nueva Granada and the 14th of September a march for peace in San Antonio de Cortés. The House of Culture (Casa de la Cultura), is the institution that promotes culture by organizing drawing contests for children around Christmas.

 Projects in this sectors

Nombre: “Protección y Manejo Sostenible de Bosques y Zonas Productoras de Agua en el Occidente de Honduras”

Periodo: 2007 - 2009

Agencias cooperantes: Christian AID/ Comisión Europea 

Nombre: “Fortalecimiento de capacidades para el desarrollo local y la protección y manejo sostenible de recursos naturales en el occidente de Honduras”

Periodo: 2007 - 2010         

Agencias cooperantes: DIAKONIA

LA JIGUA

La Jigua Copan is situated in the North of the department Copán. The main city of the municipality is found 7 kilometers from the municipality La Entrada, just across the main road towards the ruins of Copan. The municipality of La Jigua has a population of 7915 inhabitants divided over 21 communities, of which 4 are living in extreme poverty. This is reflected in the high amount of basic needs that remains unsatisfied and an income of less than 1 dollar a day.

La Jigua Copan is surround by: in the North - Florida, in the South - San Nicolas, in the West - Nueva Arcadia and in the East - Florida.

The origin of the municipality goes back to the year 1300, before the colonial times, when the region was named Cerritos. In the year 1700 the Spanish arrived and brought a statue of the Saint Santiago. They made the inhabitants move to the place where they build the church to honor the Saint Santiago. This is why the region got named Santiago de los Caballeros de Xiguat. Unfortunately the tower of the church remained ruined after the earthquake on the 4th of February 1976. Another historic day that is worth mentioning, is when in the year 1729 the General Francisco Morazán Quezada with his troops build a camp under a tree called Ceiba. Today, the place where they camped, is the central park of the main city of La Jigua Copán. It is said, that the camp was build and funded by the kind of Spain in 1793.

The main economic activities in the municipality La Jigua are: cattle, coffee in the mountainous land and the production of basic grains in the low lands. The basic grain production consist of maize (50 percent), beans (30 percent) and vegetables and milk (20 percent). The maize and beans are mainly for consuming, where as the vegetables and milk are mainly for commercial means.

Within this sector we find that the economic business activities are focused on the processing of milk (producing cheese, butter etc.) and the production of various products made from passion fruit.  The products made in this municipality are brought on the markets of neighboring municipalities through middle men. The vegetables can be found in the supermarkets of San Pedro Sula thanks to one of the programs for economic development implemented by this sector of OCDIH.

The position of women is improving every day. In the urban areas the women of this municipality are involved in commercial activities. Also in the rural areas the women are waking up and beginning to take position in managing positions and participating in decision making processes.

Like in the rest of Honduras, the land is owned by few. This leaves 83 percent of the people in this municipality without access to land while only 17 percent does own land. This slows down agricultural development greatly.

On an organizational level La Jigua Copan has three representative structures that promote local development and democratization: The Association of Small Municipal Associations (ASOPAM), The Association of Natural Municipal Water Wells (AJAAM) and the Civil Commission for Transparency. These social structures are performing important tasks on a community level with the support of community organizations like: community organizations, community organizations with a special focus on water, churches, local community banks. They are influencing policymakers and local governments, are promoting transparency and the openness of information.

Migration in La Jigua is triggered by a lack of job opportunities for the youth in the region. Some of them migrate to other cities like San Pedro Sula, within the country, others leave the country to purchase happiness in the United States. They say they leave in search for a better future, but reality shows different. Very often the situation they face abroad - being illegally in another country - is not better than the situation they leave in Honduras .

OCDIH has principally been supporting the agriculture in La Jigua, by the implementation of family gardens, integrated and diversified farms, and the creation of community banks for loans and credits. This way the communities can invest more in their agricultural production and strengthen the local economy.

The local government is performing a well coordinated job with municipal cooperation. They are implementing projects that come from the ‘proposal for municipal development’: projects with a focus on social issues, productivity and infrastructure. Also local government is open towards NGOs so that they can implement their projects within the municipality.

Civil society is working closely with this local government. They are recognizing each other and strengthening their capacities to manage and implement projects that promote the ‘common good’. This has led to various agreements with the local government through the trainings provided to local leaders. The associations of the municipalities have a great relevance in the implementation of activities and decision making. La Jigua is part of two associations of municipalities: Cerro Azul and Mancomunidad Chortí. The Association of Small Municipal Associations (ASOPAM) is mainly focused on capacity building and lobby for policy change and financial resources for the region. The Civil Commission for Transparency works on the openness of information and performs social audits.

The role of women within civil society is very important. Within the municipality there is a high rate of participation when it comes to decision making and positions taken by women within the management of the local organizations.

Culturally seen, the municipal fair is on the 25th of July. This fair is celebrated in honor of the Saint Santiago. You will find various activities like festivals, socker games and parades, amongst others.

Typical foods in this municipality are: ticucos (made of maize), bakes pork, chicken soup, maize soup with beans and tamalitos made of maize.

Another festivity in La Jigua is the Youth of the Future Institute. The students of this institute a learned how to cultivate maize, and make presentations and expositions of our traditions. This festivity is initiated by the educational centers in La Jigua that support cultural activities.

 

SAN ANTONIO  

This village was founded by 6 families that migrated from the ancient Guatemala in 1773 because of the earthquake that year. San Antonio was declared a municipality on the 9th of August 1837.

In the early days, it was known by the name San Antonio del Descanso (resting place), because it was an obligatory station to pass for travelers that go to San Pedro Sula. Furthermore, the name comes from a group of farmers from the place called Corralito, who introduced the Saint San Antonio to this municipality.

The population of San Antonio is of mixed background practicing the catholic religion. Their main festivity is on the 13th of June celebrating San Antonio de Padua. The municipality consists of an area of 117,9 square kilometers and a population of 10.789 inhabitants divided over 1835 houses. The people are living in 26 communities.

The municipality San Antonio is surrounded by: North - Florida, South - San Jeronimo, East - Florida and West - El Paraiso.

Of the total population about 60 percent live in the rural areas, and 7 out of 10 people live in a situation of extreme poverty facing high rates of malnutrition and a low level of school attendance. Some statistics: the working population is 47 percent, child mortality is 1 percent, level of poverty 42 percent, analphabetism 52.3 percent, with a rate of malnutrition of 56.6 percent. Never the less, in the last years the municipal government has been promoting participative processes to reduce, together with other actors in the region, this high rate of poverty in the municipality.

When it comes to economic activities in San Antonio, the population is dedicated to the cultivation of basic grains, coffee and a small percentage of other activities. The women only dedicate themselves to work inside the house.

Culturally seen, the holy week around Easter used to be celebrated with processions. During Christmas  the people used to have their daily processions starting on the first of November holding statues and images of Saints. The fair is celebrated from the 10th until the 15th of June with processions, games, marimba music, rodeos, crowning of the ugly king, crowning of the queen of the fair and many other activities.

PROYECTOS EN EJECUCIÓN

 

Name of the project: Supporting sustainable economic development and the reduction of poverty in Honduras Code: HONB27 Timeframe: 1st of February 2007 - 1st of February 2010 Agencies: OXFAM International and the European Commission

 

 

Nueva Arcadia is situated in Western Honduras in the department Copán. Nueva Arcadia is characterized - like the population of Honduras in general - by a gentle, kind and hard working population. The main economic activities in this sector are: coffee (40 percent), basic grains (30 percent) and cattle (30 percent). These products are brought on the local markets and on the regional markets through salesmen. However, OCDIH is supporting the small scale producers so that they themselves can bring their own products on the regional markets of San Pedro Sula and Santa Rosa de Copán. The work realized by OCDIH is of great influence on the well being of the small scale producers through the promotion of local economic initiatives and small local banks (caja rurales). Within the 18 communities that we support directly, OCDIH provides access to community credit in order to improve the productive possibilities in the region.

At this moment, Nueva Arcadia does not have a local market for the small scale producers (Feria del Agricultor), but you can see different small stands of vegetables and other products just outside the Municipal market.

The position of women within Nueva Arcadia is weak. Women do realize some economic activities like the selling of home grown vegetables, poultry, milk and eggs, bread and cookies, and they are active in the house keeping.

Talking about the land-issues in this region, we can state that 63 percent of the people of Nueva Arcadia doesn’t own any land. Because of this lack of own property, there is a high rate of youngsters forced to migrate whether within or outside the country - like for instance to the United States and Spain. The youngsters migrate in search for better opportunities. Unfortunately, this is just a dream, since reality proves different. 

The work of the local government has been focused on the infrastructure. But through the Municipal Environmental Unity (UMA), the local government is also involved in activities concerning the protection of our environment. The management and execution of projects is done by the Mancomunidad (organization of various communities) of the municipalities of Copán and Santa Bárbara (MANCOSAB). Nueva Arcadia is a sector of great social and political interest because of the economic activities and the presence of local environmental organizations.

Unfortunately, women are not represented in important coordinating positions in the local government. This is because on a national level there is no specific policy for the inclusion of women in public institutions. OCDIH’s work is focused on how to implement and coordinate a policy that is more equal in which all the members of the civil society participate. In which all know the various structures, their rights and obligations, so that they can influence municipal development and the public policies that affect them.

Civil society is structured as follows:

• Small local associations (Patronatos) for improvement: management and implementation of projects, communitarian organizations, coordination with other organizational structures present, and in the lead of lobby towards ASOPAM (Association of small municipal associations) and the local government. • Association of small municipal associations (ASOPAM): lobby towards the local government, coordinating the small local associations (Patronatos) for improvement and other organizational structures within civil society like: Regional Association of the West of Honduras (PRO), Regional Space of the West of Honduras (EROC) and with institutions like ASONOG, OCDIH and Mancomunidades within the sector. • The Civil Commission for Transparency (CCT): social audits of local organizations and public institutions, and social audits of the local government. • Small local associations with a special focus on water (Junta de Agua): they are in charge of the management and administration of projects that provide water in our communities.

All of these structures are negatively affected by politics, because the local government doesn’t support these organizational structures and isn’t neutral when it comes to investing public funds.

Women definitely do see the need for them to participate in civil society and decision making processes, which is reflected in the rate of 32 percent of the representatives in the communitarian and municipal organizations that are female.

 

 

Nueva Arcadia has the following cultural activities:

• The fair (feria) takes place between the 12th and 27th of June and is dedicated to San Antonio de Padua • Between the 12th and 27th of June they also celebrate the fair Juliana which has a more commercial character

There are various typical foods like: maize soup, ticucos made of maize, double tortillas filled with beef of beans (pupusas) and bread made of maize.

 Other cultural festivities in Nueva Arcadia are: • The virgin Suyapa: 3th of February • Holy week around Easter: April • Mothers day: second Sunday in May • Day of the tree: 30th of May • Week of the student: June • Day of Lempira: 20th of July • Children’s day: 10th of September • Independence day: 15th of September • New years and Christmas: December

There are organizations and associations that promote art, like for instance: the Casa de la Niñez (house for children) fights against child labor and provides children with the chance to express themselves and make toys of recycled products like plastic bottles and paper. The primary and secondary schools have school bands and opportunities of dance and theatre classes. 

Projects in the sector Nueva Arcadia:

• The protection and sustainable use of forests in the zones that produce water in Western Honduras. Time frame: January 2007 - December 2009 with the support of Christian Aid and the European Commission.
• Integration towards a democratic culture with the participation of civil society in two municipalities in Northern Copan. Time frame: January - December 2008 with the support of Christian Aid.
• Strengthening the productive capacities of the families in two organized communities in Northern Copan (HONB12). Time frame: May 2008 - May 2009 with the support of OXFAM.

 

 

Western Honduras has historically been marginalized by the national government which is shown by a very unequal distribution of land and productive resources. The families in the region face huge difficulties in their struggle to get access to land.  

Population and Maya ChortiIn these three municipalities live 60.000 people, of which 12,500 are indigenous Maya Chorti people. They are living on land that is least appropriate for agricultural production. There is a high risk of erosion. The indigenous Maya Chorti are organized in CONIMCHH (National Indigenous Maya Council) and together they are struggling for their access to their ancestral land. They have already managed to gain access to 43 percent of the total ancestral area. 

Economy and tourism The main economic activities are agricultural activities with products like coffee, basic grains, cattle and natural forests. A smaller part of the economic activities consists of small farms, fish farms, small businesses and tourism. There is a great touristic potential because of the river Rio Copan and the waterfall Rubí Cabañas. In Copan Ruinas there are also great touristic resources: the archeological park, the tombs, the museum, the parrot park and the warm water wells.  This only leaves us mentioning that as OCDIH we support the elaboration of market studies. This way, we can better focus our work on production that responds to the demands of the market.  Though, the low interests that come from the agricultural production, the dependency on the use of chemicals, and the low number of families that have access to land or loans, all add up to the lack of opportunities and the high rates of migration from the region.  

Women struggle and fight to break the traditional barriers in the their political, economic and social lives.

Women are, on a national level, the majority of the workforce. OCDIH has been developing workshops to strengthen the capacities of these women so that they can claim leadership, set up their own businesses, or manage communities resources. In order to increase the participation of women in the social structures and organizations, we are now implementing a gender strategy in which we organize events to promote reflection on gender-issues and to organize women in their own networks. With the support of local governments  Municipal Women Ofices (OMM) are opened in the three communities.  In general, women in these municipalities are incorporated in economic activities like the cutting of coffee, preparation of the basic grains (like maize and beans) and some small businesses. These small businesses - lead by women - produce: bags of coffee, jewelry made of seeds, cookies, traditional candy and cloths.  

Local GovernmentThese municipalities have a Strategic Municipal Plan in which they mention the opportunities and solutions to some of the problems present in this sector. In the search for local development - with a focus on forestry, agriculture and cattle - these plans have been developed in a participative manner with different institutions and the population. And in the execution of projects, the local government looks for cooperation in order to improve the lives of the communities.  

Within this sector, we are cooperating with the following organizations: CASM, Visión Mundial, Proyecto Norte, Agua Para el Pueblo, JIICA, IISI, RDS, Secretaria de salud, Secretaria de educación and Secretaria de turismo. 

How is this all reflected in the goals of OCDIH and civil society:The projects that OCDIH is executing in this sector are focused on the reduction of poverty and social exclusion of the indigenous communities. Our activities are  never contrary to the government programs and the Millennium Goals.  

The civil society in the municipalities of Copan Ruinas, Santa Rita and  Cabañas are organized as follows: Local Advise Groups/Local Small Association (Patronatos Locales) are part of the Regional Advise Group for Development (CODES/Z) who are integrated in the Association of Small Associations ‘Associacion de Patronatos’ (ASOPAN/ASOCODES). These structures and organizations work within the community and municipal context. But there are also other organizations like the networks for women, Commissions for Transparency and an association of small associations with a special focus on water called ‘La Asociación de Juntas de Administradoras de Aguas Municipales (AJAAM).          A big part of the population in these municipalities belong to the Maya Chorti, who are organized in their Rural Indigenous Advise Groups (CIR), Regional Indigenous Maya Chorti in Honduras Advice Group (CRIMCHH) and the National Indigenous Maya Chorti in Honduras Advice Group (CONIMCH). And there are the women networks that promote their participation in decision making processes, their management capacities and lobby activities on a national, regional and local level.          These days, civil society is very important in the executing of local plans, which are reflected in stronger organizations, more decision making power, and improved management and mobilization of financial resources.    

Culture

 Festivities:Copan Ruinas: 10th until the 19th of March, dedicated to San José ObreroSanta Rita: 15th until the 22th of May, dedicated to Santa Rita de CasiaCabañas: 3th of June, dedicated to San José Obrero

Tipical food and drinks:Food: chicken soup, ticucos (made of maize), stuffed tortillas (empanadas).Drinks: atol chuco (made of maize and beans), chicha (alcoholic brew made of maize)                                                           Other festivities:                                                        

 - Easter during the holy week ‘Semana  Santa’                                                        

 - Maya ceremonies during the harvest   

Groups or organizations that promote art and culture:                                                       

- Arte Acción Copan 

- Art school  

- School ‘Lito Lara’ 

- Comité de Cabildo infantil       

 Projects in this sector 

1.    Supporting sustainable development with the indigenous Maya Chorti population in Western Honduras. This project is funded by the European Commission (EC) through Dan Church AID (DCA). The time frame is from January 2007 until December 2010. The total budget is 800.000 Euro. We are working in 24 indigenous Maya Chorti communities in the three municipalities of Copan Ruinas,  Santa Rita y Cabañas Copan. 

2.    Strengthening the production and storing strategies in indigenous communities. This project is financed by Dan Church AID (DCA) for the period of 1 year, starting in January 2008. We are working in 24 indigenous Maya Chorti communities in the three municipalities of Copan Ruinas,  Santa Rita y Cabañas Copan with a budget of 46.000 US Dollars. 

 Amplifying the economic opportunities for income and work for the Maya Chorti in Honduras, to promote sustainable ways of living. This project in Santa Rita is financed by OXFAM Málaga for the period of 2 years with a budget of 80.000 Pounds.

PROTECCIÓN

Protección has a population of 13,661 people, living in 27 villages and 16 communities with a human development index of 0.402%. Protección is rated number 102 on the list of ‘basic needs not met’, with a total of 258 municipalities on a national level.  The municipality Protección, Santa Barbara, has a surface of 151.6 square kilometers. It is found in the south of the Department Santa Barbara, close to the department Copan, in Western Honduras. The climate is mild, the altitude of the area about 980 Meters above Sea Level.The majority of the communities are living in the protective areas around the natural wells ‘micro cuencas’  of Cerro Redondo. These natural wells have a high agricultural potential. The communities are developing small scale agricultural activities by producing maize, beans and coffee. The main part is used for consuming. We, a Christian Organization for the Integrated Development in Honduras (OCDIH), started working in this municipality in 1998, supporting integrated and sustainable development processes in the forgotten rural communities of Protección. 

NARANJITO

The municipality Naranjito, Santa Bárbara, was established on the 22th of January in 1884. The municipality was first know as Agua Ceibón. The first major was Celso Mejíta. This municipality has a surface of 132.9 square kilometers. The population counts a total of 12,535 people, of which 61 percent live in the rural areas and 39 percent in the cities. We count 2,148 houses in this municipality. Naranjito is found in Western Honduras, in the South of the department Santa Bárbara and consists of 32 communities. The municipality has a mild tropical climate in a mountainous area, but is occasionally threatened by droughts. There are 10 streams in the region, and the main rivers are El Jicatuyo and Río de Jaguas. There are various protected natural wells in this municipality: Cerro Redondo, Cerro Azul, Los Achiotes, Cerro de las Tijerillas and Pozos de Manacate.  Economy and GenderIncome: the income of the population comes from the production, collecting and selling of coffee (mainly in Proteccion), basic grains, cattle, various commercial activities and self-employment.

Position of women: OCDIH has a specific gender-approach in order to generate more equality in the various development processes that OCDIH is supporting. In this sector - Proteccion Santa Bárbara - OCDIH has developed a strategy to incorporate women in community development. A lack of involvement of women directly influences the gender relations: the inability of women to express themselves and their needs in the macho culture. Step by step we are witnessing the changes in the lives of women in this sector. There are now 5 female representatives in the municipal council and 1 woman is leader in the current government. Where women work: there are very few work opportunities for women, but some of them do get income from selling the following products: cookies, eggs, coffee and fish. Also, there are micro-finance activities for women like small businesses, local bars or family farms. Politics and ReligionIn the municipalities Protección and Naranjito, Santa Bárbara, they are strengthening the local development processes, so that the social structures and organizations have more influence on local politics. The majority of the population is catholic, a smaller part is related to the evangelical church. CultureNaranjito celebrates: Fiesta Patronal and the Memorial of the virgin Concepción. Also, there are cultural nights, festivities and other types of celebrations with a social-cultural character. Typical foods are chicken soup, a local alcoholic brew and pineapple juice. Protección celebrates: Festival Patronal in may which is dedicated to the saint San Isidro. Typical foods are local alcoholic brew, ‘tamales’ and ‘ticucos’ - made of maize - and pineapple juice.

Projects that they execute in this sector:

• Name: Strengthening capacities for local development and the protection and sustainable use of natural resources in Western Honduras.
• Time frame: January 2007 - December 2010
• Name: Protection and sustainable use of forests in the water production zones in Western Honduras.
• Time frame: January 2007 - December 2009
• Name: Constructing civil participation and sustainable production for local development based on equality.
• Time frame: January 2008 - December 2010.

The municipality of Florida Copan has a population of 25,193 inhabitants, spread over 54 villages and 21 communities who are facing extreme poverty. The basic needs of the population are not satisfied, and the majority of the families live on an average of 20 lempiras a day. The majority of the communities is situated in the surroundings of the protected area of Cerro Azul. This area has a great agricultural potential: there is small scale agricultural production of beans, maize and coffee. The area has also a great touristic potential, because of its great diversity of natural resources: the waterfall San Marcos with a height of 120 m, the lake Villahermosa and the mountain Cerro Azul.

Unfortunately, these natural resources are still not seen as an alternative solution to fight poverty in the region. If we look at how the sector Florida is organized, we will see three important social structures on a municipal level: an association of small associations called ‘La Asociación de Patronatos Municipales (ASOPAM), an association of small associations with a special focus on water called ‘La Asociación de Juntas de Administradoras de Aguas Municipales (AJAAM) and the Civil Commission for Transparency. These three social structures are performing important work on a community and organizational level. The work strongly together with grass-root level organizations like the committees on water, churches, local community banks called ‘Cajas Rurales’, that work together on political lobby and the promotion of transparency among others.

Women. In this sector, we are initiating micro finance activities to include women in small businesses. Also, women are participating in the social structures as mentioned before, either working as a member of the board or co-organizing the agricultural markets. Land.

In Florida, like in many other parts of Honduras, the majority of the people don’t have access to their own land, because a small group of landholders owns all. Therefore, the inhabitants of Florida are, for the production of their basic needs like beans and maize, forced to  rent a piece of land. The main economic income in the municipality comes from:The selling of milk (40%), tabaco (25%), vegetables (paprika, tomato, cabage) (25%) and coffee (10%).

The parties involved in these economic activities are: a cooperation of producers, individual salesmen, supermarkets, associations of businesses, exporting companies, and local and regional markets. In the coordination of the various activities in Florida, the support of the local government has been considerable. Their support has enabled the opening of an area where the producers can bring their products on the market within the urban area of the municipality. A good example of this is the Agricultural Market, where the main street is used by small scale producers to sell their products.

These days, there has been a tendency for the majority of young men in the sector to migrate to the United States of America (USA), in hope to provide their families with a better future. The result is that there is a great amount of families of which the father of the family, or the older sons, are working in the USA.  As OCDIH, we are focused on improving the food security of the poor families in Florida Copán, by creating family gardens and integrated farms. Furthermore, we strive to increase the production and create access of the products to the market, in order to generate a higher income for the families.  

Local Government is in charge of - a transparent - public administration. Above all, local government is responsible for the implementation of the Municipal Development Plans in a participative manner, in order to achieve Governability as has been put in the law for Municipalities.  

The civil society these days shows a lot of deficiencies when it comes to civil participation. This is mainly because of a lack of knowledge and the inability to protect civil rights. Right now, the Municipal Government is executing projects funded by the Strategy for Poverty Reduction. These projects are focused on improving the infrastructure, but which are not believed to have a real effect on the long term. Some other projects of the government also don’t seem to reach the poor.  Within the communities of Cerro Azul the different municipalities are managing and implementing projects in order to defend the economic and political interests of the people. The social structures that form the civil society, together with the Civil Commission for Transparency, are developing initiatives to improve the participation  of the people.

The participation of women is improving thanks to a Gender Strategy that organizations like the Bancafe Foundation and OCDIH are implementing. But there is still discrimination against women and the rate of domestic violence is still very high.

OCDIH is focusing on fighting the poverty and hunger, by strengthening the civil society in general, by organizing the people, and by supporting micro finance initiatives. All these initiatives are in line with the Gender Strategy, in order to achieve the Millennium Goals.  

Culture. Florida celebrates its Fair ‘Feria Patronal’ on the 25th of April, which is dedicated to San José. San José was the first name of this municipality, before they changed it to Florida.      Some of the tipical foods and drinks that you might enjoy during this ‘Feria Patronal’ are: ‘la Chicha’ (an alcoholic drink made of maize), tamales, ticucos, Chilate, and other tipical foods made of maize. Unfortunately, in Florida are no organizations that promote art and culture in this sector.  

 Projects we have in Florida

Name of the projectStrengthening the productive capacity of the families who live in 2 communities in the North of Copan. Code: HONB12

Period of implementation01 of July 2007 - 30th of May 2008  

Name of the ProjectThe strengthening of socio-productive initiatives in Western HondurasCode: HONB08

Period of implementationJune 2007 - May 2008  

Name of the ProjectSupport for sustainable economic development and poverty reduction in HondurasCode HONB27

Period of implementation1st of February 2007 - 1st of February 2010

 

In the North of Honduras we find Potrerillos. Even though this sector is not in Western Honduras - the region where OCDIH is working - we are present here because many people from Western Honduras moved to Potrerillos after the war. Also, this is an industrial zone where a lot of people move to in search for work in the fabrics.

In Potrerillos we find communities that are closely working together in order to support each other and find solutions to shared problems. These communities are Potrerillos, Santa Cruz, San Francisco and San Antonio, who are working together on the issue of water for example within the Peace and Living Together project.

Even though it is an industrial sector, the communities themselves are not enjoying any benefits from this. The main income of this sector still comes from the agriculture. The selling of maize (30%), vegetables (20%), cassava (20%), cattle (20%) and beans (10%). It is very important that women take the lead in the sectors that they are working, in a way that they have the power to make decisions. Right now we can see the effects of our efforts in this respect, women are participating equally in the work. Some examples in which women are participating equally:

- Bringing the family production on the market

 -Working/producing in their family gardens

 -Young women (<35 year) are looking for job openings in the fabrics

The trainings that the women get have added up to the fact that these days different organizations working with and for women are organizing themselves in the Network for Women in the Municipalities.

The agricultural products of the families are brought on the market during the ‘agricultural fair’ which is organized on Fridays and Saturdays in Villanueva, and on Sundays in Potrerillos.

 Our work in this region, is focused on the economic development of the municipality by supporting the agricultural production for the market. In our agricultural projects, we provide technical assistances, in a way that we stimulate the development of the municipality, and the (economic) development of the small scale producers. In this region, like in the majority of the regions in our country, there is a high inequality in the division of land: the land is owned by a few people, which is why most people don’t have any land to cultivate food for their families.

 

The Local government has been very constructive and positive when it comes to community development, by supporting the institutions and social organizations that are working on this.

Recently, a relationship with the open lobby groups of the Municipality have been established, in which the people and the representatives of the local organizations participate. The municipal government is cooperating with OCDIH when it comes to making information available, logistics and their commitment to supporting the development processes that come from the communities. These days, the communities are getting financial support from the Strategy for Poverty Reduction, in which the community leaders are participating.

OCDIH has also been working strongly on stimulating democratization, on protecting the environment and on the cultural, political and social aspects of the life of the families in Potrerillos. This way we are trying to create space in which civil participation in processes that affect their lives can finally take off. There are many people with positive initiatives within this Municipality, who are involved in and supporting the local development processes.

In the Culture this municipality was established on the 3th of March in 1875, and its Fair ‘Feria Patronal’ is celebrated on the 29th of September in honor of the archangel San Miguel. The traditional food that you can find in this sector is: baleadas, sopas de mondongo (a special soup), little tortillas with meat and cabbage (enchiladas atol), Montucas, Nacatamales, fresh drinks made of tamarind and other fresh fruits.  Two other special festivities are celebrated in this municipalities:On the 20th of July: the day of Lempira

On the 15th of September: independence day .The schools in this municipality are now in the process of introducing theatre, indigenous dance, marimba, in their classes. ‘Paz y Convivencia’, is a group promoting art and culture in the municipality.