HN1518 Lenca[Icon]

HONDURAS
PROJECT HN1518
Strengthening Production Systems and
Improving Basic Conditions for the
Lenca Indigenous Population in Western
Honduras
STEWARDSHIP REPORT
SPRING 2013
This project will work in the municipalities of Santa Cruz, San Andrés, San Manuel Colohete and San
Sebastián in the department of Lempira. In this area, most people are of Lenca ethnic origin and
are involved in an ongoing struggle over indigenous land rights. Livelihoods are centered on both the
milpa (corn and bean) system and small plots of coffee. Rural production systems implemented in
the region have a high dependence on agrochemicals and hybrid seeds; use of migratory hillside
agriculture, monoculture and loss of ecosystems’ natural biodiversity, generating environmental
vulnerability and food insecurity.Based on this situation, Heifer Honduras will work with 1,974
families--1,000 original and 974 through Passing on the Gift® (POG)--to improve the health and
nutritional food security of families in four municipalities in the department of Lempira. The
proposed interventions are the following: increase production and diversification of foods with high
nutritional value and market potential, reduce the prevalence of mother-and-child diseases and preand post-natal care for expecting and nursing mothers by improving hygiene and housing conditions,
and adopting good practices to improve nutrition, and promoting and financing micro-enterprise
initiatives with women’s groups, youth and farming families to add value to agricultural and livestock
surplus, supporting marketing initiatives for their production and developing food preparation
abilities to generate family income.
Project Story
Since he was a child, Don Salvador Reyes worked as a
coffee harvester to earn a meager income. His wife,
Doña Baudilia López Márquez always hoped to
continue studying past primary school, but was never
able to achieve this dream due to their financial
troubles. Together they struggled to provide for their
family.
Don Salvador was fortunate to hear about Heifer’s work
from a community leader. Heifer wanted to support
poor families with cows, goats and poultry. Don
Salvador was excited about the possibility of becoming
involved in such a project and eagerly attended an
informational meeting. Just days later, he learned his
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PROJECT HN1518
HONDURAS
Strengthening Production Systems and
Improving Basic Conditions for the Lenca
Indigenous Population in Western Honduras
The cow, which the family named Lola, recently gave birth to a healthy calf, which they will care for
until she is ready for Passing on the Gift® to benefit another family in need.
The family is thrilled that they now have milk to drink and sell, and their hopes for a better life are
no longer distant dreams.
Project Comments
The Strengthening Production Systems and Improving Basic Conditions for the Lenca Indigenous
Population in Western Honduras project was officially launched May 25, 2012. Activities in the first
three months of the reporting period focused on establishing the project and included setting up
project logistics, recruiting, hiring and training personnel and preparing the annual operational plan.
Other priorities included building project awareness among communities and leadership in each
municipality in the zone of intervention, developing technical teams for health, nutrition and
agriculture and participating in exchange visits. Trainings on project issues were provided to 200
people, including leaders in health issues, mayors and community leaders from four municipalities,
health workers and institutions such as the National Commission for the Development of NonFormal Alternative Education (CONEANFO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and the Central Committee for Water and Comprehensive Development Projects in
Lempira (COCEPRADIL). Identification of beneficiary communities and families also began.
By November, 1,000 original families from 61 communities were identified. Baseline data was
gathered in a field survey supervised by four project technicians in the four municipalities served by
the project. Four hundred families were interviewed for the baseline document.
Thirty original families were selected and trained on handling poultry and then provided with 630
laying hens. Each family received a sack of laying hen feed and materials to construct a chicken
coop. The hens are laying and families have added eggs to their diets.
A grove of 200 trees was planted to establish protein banks as forage for livestock and to collect
seeds for reforestation. Pastures were established on 28 small plots using 66 pounds of brachiaria
decumbens grass seed.
Six trainings were held on chicken coop construction, poultry handling, health and nutrition for
expecting mothers, bio-digester construction and successional agriculture. A visual health campaign
was conducted in the municipality of San Sebastian and Manuel Colohete, serving 100 families.
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PROJECT HN1518
HONDURAS
family was selected as a beneficiary and would be receiving a Heifer. He had always dreamed of
having cows, but could never dream of being able to afford his own.
Objective 1: Increase access to mother and child health care services, adopt
good eating and nutritional practices and improve living conditions in homes.
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Children in families receiving hens in San Andres and Santa Cruz added eggs to their diet.
Monitoring will take place throughout the project to verify improvement in nutritional status
of children.
Families who received heifers now benefit from the addition of milk to their diets.
Monitoring will take place to verify improvement in nutritional status of children.
Sixty-one pregnant women have been identified in the four municipalities.
Two support groups have been formed to exchange knowledge on health, nutrition and
hygiene.
Objective 2: Promote availability of foods and generate family income through
training, technical assistance and access to means for diverse family production
with an agroecological approach and inclusive participation.
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Agoecological practices are used by beneficiary families, including producing and using
organic fertilizers, soil conservation, native seed use and avoiding burning.
Moringa, neem and mahogany groves were established for reforestatio nand to provide a
forage source for livestock.
Three recipients from Santa Cruz, San Manuel and San Andres were trained on biodigester
installation and operation.
Objective 3: Promote coordination with organizations related to municipal
development to support national food and nutrition security policies and best
practices at the municipal level.
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Project promotion was conducted, raising project awareness for approximately 200 people
in 61 communities, including municipal authorities, community leaders, health workers and
other institutions such as CONEANFO, FAO, and COCEPRADIL.
Quantitative Data
Planned
New (this period)
Previous total
Total (all periods)
Families Assisted
Original
500
64
64
Pass on the Gift
-
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PROJECT HN1518
HONDURAS
Progress Toward Objectives
Resource type
Farm Services
Irrigation
Systems
Improved
Cookstoves
Fish
Trees – Neem,
Moringa, and
Atlantic Mahogony
Goats
Cattle – Cows
Chicken – (20
hens and 1 rooster
per family)
Water Supply
Equipment
3
-
-
-
60
-
-
-
2,000
-
-
-
1,000
200
-
200
20
50
5
28
-
5
28
1,000
630
-
630
3
-
-
-
Training Information
Training Topic/Theme
Human Health
Human Nutrition
Food Preparation
Animal Shelter Construction
Agroecology
Poultry Breeding and Management
Animal Health Camps
Hours
6
8
8
44
22
17
17
Number of Training
Attendees
Male
Female
18
24
2
14
0
25
55
12
8
29
2
16
4
5
PROJECT HN1518
HONDURAS
Original Placements of Livestock and Other Resources
Number planned Number new Previous total Total (all periods)
10
-