The famous Mayan Copan ruins in western Honduras stand as a reminder of the once dominating role of the empire. The Caribbean Sea on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west flank Honduras with rugged, tree-covered, mountains between. Natural disaster, violence, and corruption have proved major roadblocks on Honduras' road to development. These problems have combined to form severe poverty and inequality. CRWRC has been working in Honduras since 1974--a time that has seen significant economic development. However, with the disaster of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, it has been estimated that the country regressed economically about 20 years. As a result, CRWRC expects to continue its work to improve the spiritual and economic well being of low-income families in both rural and urban centers.
On the long-term horizon, CRWRC hopes to strengthen the Christian Reformed Church of Honduras (HCRC) and other church-linked groups to do word and deed ministry. This means that the people of Honduras will grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally and economically.
Fast Facts
Population: 7,792,854 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee
Literacy Rate: 80%
Life Expectancy: 69.4 years
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $4,400 (2008 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%
Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Honduras.)
Partners
Alfalit
Alfalit offers programs in literacy, basic education, preschool, health, nutrition, and community.
Association for a more Just Society (ASJ) - Asociación Para una Sociedad mas justa
CRWRC and ASJ work to promote justice and human rights from a Christian perspective. ASJ is a Honduran Christian justice organization working for a society where justice prevails especially for the must vulnerable. ASJ believes that this society can be acheived through just legislation, its equitable application and the participation of churches, society and the State. Therefore, ASJ works with churches and community members to train them about Christian values, labor rights defense, land rights, and women’s rights. They also support Legal and Counselling Clinics in communities that had formerly been without access to legal or psychological assistance.
Christian Reformed Church of Honduras - Diaconia Nacional de la Iglesia Cristiana Reformada de Honduras
Through the Christian Reformed Church of Honduras, CRWRC is helping farmers learn new agricultural techniques, as well as improved ways to handle their finances. As a result, farmers are able to increase their production and buy and develop more land. CRWRC and the CRC of Honduras are also training church leaders on Christian leadership so that they can coordinate various projects to meet community needs. CRC is working in the Transformational Community Development as well. This year they are developing projects in the South and Northeast zone of our country. These projects include health programs where children’s growth is monitored, and adults learn improved sanitation and nutrition. They also include community credit unions, where men and women meet together, save regularly, and provide loans to each other from their pooled savings.
Stewardship of Christian Ministries (MCM) - Ministe-rios Cristianos de Mayordomía
MCM is a Christian organization, born out of the Brethren churches in Honduras. MCM has developed a successful program of income generation in Nueva Suyapa, an urban, marginal neighbourhood of the capital city Tegucigalpa. For example, teaching women community members in savings and small business management and projects such as community gardens. This partner is also working for transformational community development in its target communities.
Harvest
Harvest’s main purpose is to implement in the communities an integral mission based in Luke 2:52 which coverts the four growth areas. (Social, Spiritual, Physical and Wisdom) Using this vision, Harvest has been training leaders and pastors all over Honduras with the Wholistic Ministry. CRWRC assists in organizing and training credit union members; developing training on integral mission; developing seed programs; training community leaders on health topics; and working for children’s nutrition.