El Coyolar is a small community in the Department of Olancho, Honduras. Here, the transformation process has begun with the support of CRWRC, Diaconia Nacional (DN), and local governments to improve the quality of the lives El Coyolar’s residents.
Initially, the community members laid out a plan that identified the main needs in the community. Once the local leaders had prioritized the needs, DN began to train them to lead in the development and transformation of their community. The main needs they identified were a running water system, improvement to homes, improved agriculture techniques, an electric power system, and improving local school buildings.
The community leaders began to plan projects and submit them to various institutions. Soon they were supported by a work team from King's University College in Canada in the construction of the water system, and it was completed with the support of another work team from the Biola University in United States. This was the first major project that the community planned, implemented, and completed successfully together.
Shortly after this project, community leaders were trained in improved agricultural techniques to help increase their crops. This community is dedicated 100% to agriculture as their livelihood, so DN introduced new alternative crops to improve nutrition, create gardens, and plant fruit trees. DN trained the leaders in El Coyolar to be facilitators of agriculture in the community to help them transmit their knowledge to others. Today, there is a vegetable garden at every house in the community that produces cabbage, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, green peppers, and carrots. The families also planted fruit trees such as mangos, avocados, oranges, papayas, and other trees like the moringa. In addition, the farmers have started a seed bank, at which they store grain to sell at a low cost to community families in the months of scarcity, and to have seed for planting the next season.
Last year the residents of El Coyolar hosted a mission team from the New Westminster CRC from Canada. This group visited the community to help build pilas” (water containers), latrines, and set concrete floors in the poorest households in the community. The visitors also trained children, youth, and adults about hygiene, health, and moral and spiritual values.
Since that time, one of the leaders has assembled a medicine cabinet to make medicine accessible at a low-cost in the community since the health center is a long way away.
Now, the families in El Coyolar enjoy better living conditions, there is less pollution, the burning of land and forest has been reduced, there is more awareness about caring for nature, less illness, improved sanitation in their homes, and access to clean water. People have learned to be united and work together on projects and activities such as street repairs, community cleanup, and sports events.
Prayer Needs
- Pray for the reduction of violence and crime in the department of Olancho. Diaconia Nacional office has been suffering from this situation and staff goes out to do community with fear while driving on the roads. Fortunately, in the communities it is very safe.
- Pray for the recovery of Dilia, Diaconia Nacional director. A month ago, she had a car accident and now she is suffering from pains in his neck. Medical tests have detected serious injuries to the back of her neck.
- Pray for volunteer groups who come to the country, so they can stay healthy and safe.
- Pray for the whole process of transition to the CIDA program. Many preparations are going to happen in the coming months to get our partner ready to implement this program.
About Irene de Murillo
Irene de Murillo represents CRWRC in Honduras and provides support to CRWRC partners.
Irene was born in Tela, Atlantida, Honduras. At age five she moved to Tegucigalpa with her mother where she grew up, studied, and earned a major in business administration.
Before coming to CRWRC in 1995, Irene was employed by Diaconia Nacional (the social branch of the Christian Reformed Church of Honduras) for nine years. While there, she learned much about working in community development. She notes that the biggest blessing in her life has been to serve God through the ministry of the Christian Reformed church both in Diaconia Nacional and CRWRC.
Irene has three children: Freddy, Lidia Irene and Nohemy Chrystibel. Both Lidia Irene and Freddy are married; Chrysti is in Tenth grade and living at home with Irene.