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Your Partner-Community Updates
Cacahautal
With great celebration, each family got water to their houses for the first time and, understandably, began
using far more water than they had anticipated. Soon they discovered that each day they would empty the tank
and the pump required 4 hours to refill it. The community decided to charge each other a fee for water, which
is customary in other communities. They used these funds to install an electric pump that would refill the tank
in about 90 minutes. The hard work and organization of the community in Cacahautal has been impressive to
watch. IP’s mission is to support and cultivate community leadership and Cacahuatal is an example of the
kind of initiative and problem solving we want to support. After our visit in October, we will report on their
progress. (See Colin story below.)
Hacienda Vieja
Last week the villagers of Hacienda Vieja witnessed an
incredible phenomenon: A big truck rolling down the new road we built with the community this summer! The road
needs more gravel – which requires some additional funds – but otherwise, it is complete. Our
previous year’s water project is now operational, but there is a problem with the rate of flow. During
our visit in October, we will learn why and how it might be fixed. This January, a team from the University of
Maryland will be there on a Study Abroad service-learning trip to work on starting a creating a library and
after-school program in the community center.
Zacamil Dos
The new Casa Comunal now houses daily literacy class for 25
adults taught by Chafa and Kenia. The community radio station has asked to hold its anniversary celebration
there. On our last visit, the community was awaiting its first visit from a doctor. We are told that the long
promised water project is scheduled to move forward in the next couple of months. The ADESCO asked us for
meeting in October to present a proposal for an additional project.
Palo Grande
All the community leaders who participate in IP’s
community leadership program led by Elba and Noel (CODECO) volunteered a weekend of labor to work on the water
project. As of last month, the tank and pila were completed, but the pipes had not been installed and buried.
Paula and Don will be visiting in October to learn more about what can be done to get this project finished.
Alegria
A problem for Alegria is lack of water, which limits the
community’s ability to increase income and food production. Currently they pay $8 a month for water that
flows only 3 days a week and is about to be metered. This prevents them from participating in our new family
farm project or adding a fish farm. This month IP will be supporting Walter and the people of Alegria to
experiment with a manual technique that reduces the cost of well drilling from about $8,000 to $500. If it is
successful, Alegria will be submitting proposals for projects designed to generate food and income in hopes of
getting an IP delegation next July.
El Sitio Zapotal.
The youth eco-tourism project continues to make
incredible progress. During the first three months of 2008, youth guides took as many clients up Guazapa as
they did in all of 2007 (150). Guides are being paid, cooks are earning money, and the youth group saves part
of its income for group activities and to contribute back to the community. In early September, the youth of El
Sitio and Palo Grande had a strategic planning meeting to discuss their joint future and agreed to form an
association of youth groups. The best news is that that Roberto Gilbert has obtained a grant to help them
create a museum in the office we refurbished with them two years ago. The grant will also allow them to buy a
computer and establish an internet connection. Their plan is to open a cyber café that will reduce the
cost of calls to the USA to 2 cents per minute and bring the youth additional income.
Corozal
Corozal has had a change of leadership electing a new ADESCO
made up of a younger generation. Unfortunately, they were unable to arrange for another source of funds after
IP’s 18 month’s of funding for their pre-school ended. Currently they are applying to the Ministry
of Education for support. Meanwhile the multi-purpose building built by IP delegates and the community is being
used as a community center and a clinic when they get a visiting doctor. They hosted 20 other communities for a
soccer tournament – which gave the women an opportunity to make money selling pupusas.
Meaningful Adventures 2009
Next Summer IP Trip - June 25 – July 12
Applications on website - due January 14
Information: director@internationalpartners.org
Kudos to Colin and the Cacahuatal Partner
Group
Colin Ward – working with the amazing delegates who were in Cacahuatal - has
initiated a n education scholarship for his “host-brother” Leonardo in Cacahautal. At Colin’s
request, Leonardo is writing IP a proposal describing where he wants to go to school and how much it would
cost. Colin has decided to lead an effort to raise the funds for a scholarship - as we do for Noel and Elba at
National University. IP always hopes that trip delegates will connect with the people and community enough to
become a partner. Together we can give people rare opportunities that for us are so common we can take them for
granted. Thanks Colin and all the Cacahuatal delegates.
IP Stays - When You
Aren’t There
Paula and Don visit communities 4 times a year to cultivate leaders and
community cooperation, IP’s highest mission. Every 3 months, they check-in on their progress and then
plan with them their next steps. In addition, on 1 Saturday every month, 2 elected leaders from each community
meet for an IP CODECO training workshop, led by the greatly respected and talented, Noel Ihrata and Elba Funes.
Month by month, these community leaders follow a step-by-step process for facilitating their community to reach
agreements, set priorities, make decisions, plan a project, organize volunteers, and host a delegation. From
CODECO’s year of work, IP must select the most viable and needed projects. This preparation for each
delegation requires a year or more of advance work.
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