Partners Worldwide Honduras

When the walls come down...

2010-05-28T13:45:00.003-06:00

The story of Doña Reina Ortiz has appeared on this blog before. She continues to work hard to sell her product, but sales at the super market chains have slowed, as has her loan repayment. Ms. Ortiz is becoming even more dependent or her less profitable sales to smaller clients like bookstores and street venders.

Since early May, the rainy season has added another challenge to completing her dream. Like most people in her neighborhood, a retaining wall prevents her home from falling on her neighbors' home next door. The heavy rains during this month were enought to damage part of the old retaining wall and put her home's foundation close to the edge.

Doña Reina was forced to invest all her working capital into the construction of a new retaining wall. She now must struggle to build up her business again.

The use of "business funds" for personal expenses is common in microfinance businesses. Since many businesses operate out of the owners home, as is the case in Doña Reina's case, cash is not often designated to be used for "business" or "personal" expenses.

Alfredo and Rafael, two Honduran businessmen, are mentoring Ms. Ortiz and looking for ways to help her increase sales. With the Lord's help and the encouragement from her mentors, Doña Reina will soon be talking about God's faithfulness back when, the walls were coming down.

In her own words... Marina Mejia

2010-05-10T09:29:00.005-06:00

The following is the story of the owner of a member business who works with Partners Worldwide through the local affiliate Diaconia Nacional:

I am Elvia Marina Mejia and I was born on May 3, 1958, in San Francisco de la Paz, Olancho, Honduras, but I now live in the Nueva Suyapa neighborhood in Tegucigalpa. As a teenager I immigrated to Tegucigalpa to secure a better future for my family and more specifically for my younger siblings. I worked washing clothes and cleaning homes for other people.

I had seven children but sometimes when you're young you make mistakes. I ended up at the women's prison where I learned to do many productive things like crafts and sewing. I decided that when I got out of there, I would continue doing the activities that I was learning.

I was released for good behavior before completing the time that my sentence stipulated and started saving to buy my first machine. I began work purchasing cloth by the pound to produce bed sheet sets. I sold my work in my community, but life was very difficult because my seven children were still young and there were many expenses. But I always kept going.

I knew I could do my job better but needed working capital to buy better quality fabrics and machinery. I wondered if anyone would trust me in spite of my background. I decided to knock on the door of Diaconia Nacional. They realized that I am a hard working woman and that I have not stopped working since I had the legal problem.

I have involved my family in my business. I elaborate the product with my younger children and my mom sells them in the community where she lives. I also partner with my daughter in the sale of general merchandise. I also have my customers in several communities of Olancho, where I travel every month.

In many of these communities there is lack of money, so I barter and sell my products in exchange for produce like yuca, oranges, and bananas. When I return to Tegucigalpa, I sell the produce. When I am in the communities, I see which fruits and vegetables are in season and I call my daughter who asks around in Tegucigalpa to see where there is demand. When I return to Tegucigalpa we already have orders for the coconuts or whatever I am transporting and we only have to deliver the produce and collect the cash.

I did not know what this was called until I attended the training workshops that Diaconia offers and I learned that this is called VALUE ADDED. I've learned a lot of skills in the workshops that I have attended and I want to continue learning for my business.

I am grateful to Diaconia Nacional for believing in me and training me. I hope that they continue to support me because in the future I want to improve my business and to develop other product lines because I also want to make my house a little safer and more beautiful.

Diaconia Nacional helped me purchase a special sewing machine which had been a dream for me. They also supported me in the purchase of high quality fabrics.

Bob Reed

2010-03-22T10:10:00.002-06:00

Partners Worldwide is sadden by the death of Bob Reed. Bob was the husband of Renita Reed, working with Partners Worldwide in Africa. Bob worked for CRWRC. Please be in prayer for Renita and her family. On their blog there is more information about Bob's life.

A Life Rededicated to the Lord

2010-03-09T10:29:00.004-06:00

For the past two years, the publicity firm of Visión Creativa (Creative Vision) has been growing. Owner Erick Alvarado’s quality work and personalized customer service have helped to attract new clients and maintain his previous customers in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa. Mr. Alvarado has also diversified his product line through the acquisition of new equipment and design software, partially financed through a loan from Partners Worldwide affiliate Diaconia Nacional. Visión Creativa was experiencing great success, but Erick recently discovered the missing component in his life.

In February, Erick attended the Partners Worldwide Latin America Conference. Following the morning sessions on the first day of the conference, Mr. Alvarado found a group of business members of Diaconia Nacional and began brainstorming about how they could help affiliate businesses grow.

“We can create a website that lists the products and services offered for each member business in our affiliate,” explained Erick. “With increased publicity and a platform for affiliate members to learn about each other, the businesses can grow.”

The conference had opened Erick’s eyes to a new opportunity: business mentoring. Erick had received such mentoring from North American business owners during their visits to Honduras, but now he saw how he could mentor small business owners in Honduras.

Erick’s new interest in serving others was not the only positive result from the conference. The Sunday after the conference Erick woke up early to go to church and received a warm greeting from old friends.

“For the past two years I have not attended church,” explains Erick. “I never imagined that the conference would have filled me with such joy and that it could have been such a blessing to my life. When I returned to church, everyone said, ‘There is Erick, we have not seen him for two years.’ During the worship service I rededicated my life to the Lord.”

Erick paid off his loan in December but he says that he now has a larger debt to Partners Worldwide and Diaconia Nacional. Thanks to the business mentoring, the conference and the work of his local church, Erick has found the missing component in his life and now looks to serve others. As he put it, “Whenever there is another conference or opportunity to train others, just tell me the day and the time and I will be there!”

Story of Mr. Manuel de Jesus Romero

2010-01-14T09:16:00.003-06:00

I am Manuel de Jesus Romero Hernandez and I have live in Catacamas, Olancho. About 15 years ago I started building my carpenter workshop by acquiring machinery little by little. Finally, I decided to work in the United States for a while to be able to equip my workshop. After purchasing some equipment, I returned to Honduras to continue my business but here in Honduras it is a bit difficult to receive a loan.

I spoke with my daughter who was a member of a microfinance small loan group of Diaconia Nacional and she told me that they could help me with my business. I approached the office and they politely explained the loan requirements, visited my business, and in a timely manner, approved my first loan.

That was 3 years ago and today, I continue to work with Diaconia Nacional. I'm very happy with the services offered, the personal attention, but most importantly, that we can count on them to solve our problems.

For me Diaconia is part of my family, both the donors and the employees. Their treatment is like that of a brother to brother. Thanks to God and to Diaconia, I was able to meet the goals that I had for my business, my family, and my personal life.

Loans helped me improve and equip my business while also generating employment. The training workshops have helped me to better manage my business, but also they have helped me become a better person each day with God's help.

I am very content to be able to work in the workshop with three of my children who are taking evening classes in the university. "The business has transformed our family, and it is with great satisfaction that we continue working at Romero Family Carpentry.”

Prayers for Haiti

2010-01-13T12:59:00.004-06:00

Earlier today, staff of organizations that work with Partners Worldwide in Honduras took time during their morning staff devotions to pray for Haiti. Some staff commented on the poverty in Honduras and how it is hard to imagine living in a country with more poverty, crime, political conflicts and now this earthquake. We are especially praying for the safety and protection of Partnership Manager Daniel Jean-Louis in Port-au-Prince.

Boots on the Ground in Honduras

2010-01-11T06:24:00.000-06:00

By Rudy Carasco

TEGUCIGALPA – On Sunday afternoons, thousands of Hondurans and foreigners visit El Picacho National Park. Beautifully designed gardens, open spaces for families, and playgrounds dot the crestline road to the park’s most famous feature, a statue of Christ that rises above the city.

After taking in the sights from the base of the monument, the constant stream of humanity ducks into a nearby souvenir shop owned and operated by a woman named Elizabeth. A few years ago, Elizabeth expanded this business through a loan from a Partners Worldwide affiliate.

Today that loan has been repaid, and Elizabeth’s shop is thriving. But Elizabeth is thinking about more than just her own enterprise.

In November, she met with a group of Honduran Christian businesspeople to discuss the expansion of a network of mentors who have a two-fold purpose:To help small and medium sized businesses to grow, and to encourage business owners to live out their faith in every aspect of their business. “Loans alone can’t transform a person. People need Christ,” said one business owner. Elizabeth, and the other attendees, agreed.

The affiliates of Partners Worldwide in Honduras all integrate Christian faith with the vital work of job creation and jobs maintenance.

Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía (MCM) offers a private Christian school, health and dental services, and youth intervention along with small business loans. Carlos Hernandez, director of MCM, emphasizes that the impact of the loan programs goes beyond the bottom line of the businesses.

“100% of the children of partners with loans are studying, many in the university,” Hernandez says. These results are impressive coming out of Nueva Suyapa, a community of 50,000 with limited civic infrastructure and high rates of unemployment and under education.

At Diaconia Nacional, 150 small business loans and over 600 microcredit group loans (loans made to individuals and secured by a small group of peers) are active. Diaconia started 23 years ago and Elizabeth is among their loan program success stories.

Diaconia’s long-standing presence underscores the need for “patient” capital. Caspar Geisterfer, head of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee in Honduras, observes, “Most North Americans aren’t patient enough to walk alongside [people and communities]. We like results, and we like positive results, and we are not patient enough to simply walk alongside people as they do things for themselves.”

The patience needed for growing small businesses among the poor will indeed bear fruit – witness Elizabeth’s growth from loan recipient to small business mentor.

Around the globe, Partners Worldwide is blessed to work with thousands of entrepreneurs like Elizabeth and works to give witness to Christ by growing small and medium sized businesses among people in need. This would not be possible without your support. Thank you!

From Transformations Winter 2009

Partners Worldwide Honduras 2010

2010-01-08T11:49:00.004-06:00

As a result of the political crisis, thousands of tourists and medical brigades have decided not to travel to Honduras. Foreign aid has decreased, banks have frozen lending and Hondurans have stopped spending. In these moments of crisis, small business owners need training, mentoring and sometimes, small loans to stay above water.

In 2010, please pray for the work of Partners Worldwide in Honduras.

Key Upcoming Dates:

January 18-24 Honduras Pella Affiliate trip
January 27 Inauguration Day
February 12-13 Partners Worldwide Latin America Conference
March 27 - April 2 Taylor University Trip

Students and Small Business Owners Learn Together

2009-10-29T10:20:00.005-06:00

In a small Honduran Christian high school, students are putting in practice the theory they are learning in class. The students, who are studying business administration, are going out in their community to help their neighbors implement and use basic bookkeeping principles. At the same time that the students help improve business administration, they are learning practicle lessons of how business operate in their community.

In a country where 25% of GDP comes from micro, small and medium size businesses, the sector's importance is well documented, but few have helped improve production and administration of these businesses. The students at El Verbo Christian High School are some of the few who are getting involved in their own community to help improve business administration.

(PICTURED: High school students work with business owners at an accounting workshop)

Tiny Loans

2009-08-13T10:31:00.005-06:00

Like most "Economic Development" organizations, Partners Worldwide supports business lending practices in developing countries, also known as micro finance. An article touched on some of the problems with micro finance in today's edition of The Wall Street Journal. The article, "A Global Surge in Tiny Loans Spurs Credit Bubble in a Slum," highlighted the fact that "lenders are aware that applicants often lie on their paperwork" to be able to get a loan because "many microfinance providers require loans to be used to fund a business." Small business owners make business plans and talk about their vision for their business, only to purchase a television, pay for a wedding or cover medical bills, as seen in the article and the experience of Partners Worldwide in Honduras.

Maria* is the owner of a small store in a marginalized area of Tegucigalpa. While her business was thriving, she took out loans in her "Community Bank." As in most microfinance lending programs, the other members of the bank were cosigners on her loan. Since she had always made payments, Maria was also offered an individual loan on top of her regular four month loans from the "Community Bank."

Individual loans were designed by the organization in Honduras to move people like Maria from the "community bank" so that they would not have a larger loan than the rest of the group combined. Some individual loans use mortgages as collateral, but most have two cosigners. Maria had a loan of $635 in her "Community Bank" and a $1,588 individual loan.

Early last year, Maria became depressed and her business was not open daily during regular business hours. When she was at the doctor, or in her room crying, she lost clients that began walking to other stores to purchase fruits and beans. As her depression was improving, she developed kidney failure and the business closed nearly entirely.

Throughout Maria's treatment, she took money from the business to cover her bills and her husband also took out several loans from various micro finance lenders. They currently owe close to $4,000 and the only income is the $291 that Maria's husband earns monthly as a security guard. To make matters worse, there is no inventory left in the business that was used as the pretext for the loans.

The local Partners Worldwide affiliate has worked with Maria and her husband to consolidate their loans and lower their monthly interest rates. They have plans to get out of debt in two years, but more importantly for everyone is to learn lessons from this case.

There is often more debt being offered to Hondurans than they can manage. Partners Worldwide affiliates are joining a national Credit Bureau to be able to minimize risk for their portfolios and for the clients.

Clients often say they will use a loan for their business, but instead invest in other personal expenses. Doing follow up visits to the business can help assure that clients invest in their business.

Christian Honduran Businesspeople - Experts

2009-04-20T09:02:00.007-06:00

What makes Partners Worldwide different from other government and non government efforts to promote business development? Most importantly, Partners Worldwide does not believe that all business growth solutions come from North America.

Honduras is a nation of rich resources. Honduras is a rich nation. Hondurans can grow businesses and the knowledge to do so is currently in Honduras.

Last week a group of eight Christian businesspeople gathered to learn more about Partners Worldwide. I can only imagine what was going through their minds when they learned that we were offering very little to them. Of course there are opportunities for loans, training workshops and the establishment of a business network, but the idea that we offered them was that they had the knowledge needed to help smaller businesses grow. They are the experts.

Partners Worldwide offers a truth that is difficult to grasp due to the long history of donations to the "poor." It does not take a check from a wealthy person with a heart for the downtrodden to start change. Hondurans have started businesses that have grown. Stated differently, Hondurans have business experience, information and knowledge. Hondurans are business experts.

Before the meeting ended last week, it was agreed that we would each invite other business owners to join our network. We hope to grow the number of experts and diversity of business experience so that together we can network and promote business growth. We also had an intentional focus on helping small businesses that are still in the initial start up process.

Please pray for growth, unity and a common goal of showing Christ's love through our ministry. Please pray for understanding that our ministries are our businesses.

NEEDED: Business Mentors

2009-03-23T11:10:00.008-06:00

Many Hondurans purchase cars that were damaged or even totaled in the United States, ship them to Honduras, and fix them up. The cars are then sold to the many Hondurans who demand inexpensive transportation. It is a very profitable business because these cars are inexpensive in the United States and labor costs are low in Honduras (minimum wage is $291 per MONTH).

Nasario is a minor player in the North American Car Restoration Industry. He does not travel to the U.S.A. to purchase crashed cars nor does he sell the cars once they have a fresh coat of paint over the area where there previously were dents. He and his employees are the cheap labor that makes this industry possible.

Mr. Nasario is contracted by the person who imports and sells the damaged cars. He is hired make the car look like new. Currently he can do paint jobs and smooth out dents, but does not have the equipment to straighten car frames.

When he has to straighten a car frame, Mr. Nasario must haul the car to a workshop and rent time on the machine. For small dents the cost is $100. When members of the Honduras Pella Affiliate visited Mr. Nasario in early April, he showed us a machine that he could purchase used for $1325.

Our next question, "How often do you rent this machine?"
Answer, "At least 10 times a year."

Mr. Nasario is paying at least $1000 per year to rent usage of the machine (if all ten cars only have only small structural damage). It is fairly safe to say that he has rental costs around $1250 per year.

One possible solution: purchase the machine.

The whole story is that Mr. Nasario rents the space where he works and the machine that he is looking to purchase needs to be anchored in the ground. The investment in the workshop floor is risky since Mr. Nasario could be forced to leave the rented space (and $150 investment in the anchoring the machine) if the owner so desired.

What Mr. Nasario needs is a business mentor who can walk with him while making these decisions. Partners Worldwide has seen businesses grow with the loans that the business owners receive. Business growth, however, seems to take place when there are business contacts, knowledge of markets and good advice. Loans can be a tool to help growth, but only after a good plan has identified where the funds will be invested.

The Price of Food in Honduras

2009-03-13T15:52:00.004-06:00

On January 31, 2008, Honduran families of 5 members needed $272.47 to eat for a month. On January 31, 2009, the same Honduran family needed $330.77 to purchase food every month. The spike in prices was caused by historic prices in seed, fertilizer and oil.
The need for a job is great in Honduras. The need for entrepreneurs who create jobs is even greater.

Chamba in Honduras: Part 3 Retirement

2009-02-18T06:00:00.008-06:00

Juan Ignacio Ortiz, or Don Nacho as his friends call him, is 72 years. He started his car wash and oil change business two years. To Don Nacho, work means retirement security.

The retirement spending of many Hondurans is based completely on the generousity of their children and grandchildren. Since few Hondurans save, no nest egg awaits them when they reach retirement age. Senior Citizens have very limited work opportunities and most banks and NGO lending organizations (micro-finance) see them as high risk clients, thus preventing the possibility of starting a business. Without savings and few opportunities to generate income for themselves, the elderly are dependent on family and friends.

Hondurans is not the only nation with an elderly population that feel hopeless in the face of globalization, cell phones, computers and a world in which both university and high school degrees are listed as job requirements. The government of Chile announced that the nation's economic stimulus program includes subsidies for small businesses that hire citizens age 45 and older who recently lost their job.

In the face of this reality, Mr. Ortiz started his business with the hopes of not becoming a burden on the state nor to his family. He also built four apartments behind his house that rent for $60 each per month. The income that his businesses provide is important in his "retirement years," but the businesses have also provided employment and thus economic security for others.

Mr. Ortiz employs four to six young Hondurans depending on yearly business cycles of the car wash industry. In the waiting area for clients, he allowed a neighbor to set up a cafeteria. Honduran style tacos and home made fruit drinks are sold to hungry clients and car wash employees at lunch time. The cafeteria is another source of employment the Don Nacho's business has helped create.

Don Nacho is always looking to grow his business. He recently purchased an industrial vacuum cleaner and air compressor with a loan from a Partners Worldwide supported organization. (Mr. Ortiz paid off the loan in mid January.) A bucket and sponge car wash costs $2 but Mr. Ortiz can now offer a $4 wash using the power washer and air compressor. Many clients prefer having their car washed in half the time for $4.

For Juan Ignacio Ortiz, work is a retirement fund.

Below: Mr Ortiz during Partners Worldwide visit

Chamba in Honduras: Part 2 Social Security

2009-02-11T06:00:00.003-06:00

Hector will be six months old later this week. His respond to most questions is a smile and a coo, thus his mother had to explain what work means to little Hector: work means health. To little Hector, when his dad has work, he has health insurance, medication and more peaceful parents.

According to the Labor Code, all employers have to enroll their employees in the Honduran Social Security Institute (IHSS) and children of employees have the right to have coverage until the age of 12. Little Hector’s dad works as a security guard at a government building in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. As long as Hector’s dad has work, Hector will have health insurance.

For many Hondurans, the rewards of having a job are much more than just the salary or payment. A job means health insurance and the opportunity to go to the IHSS hospital. The difference between the IHSS hospital and the general hospital is the attention given to patients, long waits and the availability of medication. Patients can wait up to three years to have an urgent surgery and common cold or flu is rarely treated because of the long wait to see a doctor.

The right to attend the IHSS hospital is a benefit of work that is obtained with employment but is lost when an employee is let go. Every month, employers give their employees an official copy of the IHSS payment receipt. Without this receipt, the employee is not allowed to enter the IHSS hospital for treatment. When someone loses their job, they could at most receive treatment in the IHSS hospital for two months.

Hector has battled dengue fever in recent months. Thanks to the employment of his dad, he is doing better and has received needed medication. To many young Hondurans, work means health insurance.

"Chamba" in Honduras: Part 1 Social Racism

2009-02-04T06:00:00.008-06:00

(This post is part of the series, "Chamba in Honduras." For more information see Introduction)

Mario is a 27 year old studying education at a public university in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He says that work means economic stability, a sense of satisfaction, being productive and in his personal case, the absence of depression, economic worries and feeling useless. Mario depends on periodically available painting jobs as his source of income.

Mario knows that his expenses are low; he does not have to pay rent or purchase food because he lives with his parents. When Mario does have work, however, it is expected that he gives something to his parents to help with the household expenses before he can purchase toiletries, books or other expenses related to his studies.

In order to have the flexibility of working in the morning and early afternoon, Mario only registers for evening classes. He says that the majority of his classmates do the same; arriving to classes as the sun goes down, often exhausted from eight hours of work. Only the “children of mami and papi” (daddy’s girl and mama’s boy) have the luxury of studying full time during daytime hours. These privileged few that do not have to work are on the opposite side of a divide Mario calls social racism.

To understand Mario’s contentious statement, it is important to hear his story. Mario lives in a marginal community that could be called a slum. At the age 12, Mario dropped out of school and began using drugs. In order to avoid stealing, Mario worked in anything he could: masonry, welding and finally painting.

Mario’s transformation occurred when God force him to reflect of his past and future. With the help of a local church, he became saved, battled withdrawal and graduated from high school.

Returning to work as a painter was something Mario refused to do for years. Not only to avoid the temptation of using the drugs that his former coworkers would gladly share with him, but also because of the social stereotypes of being a day laborer in dirty cloths. Finally, when potential employers refused him for his auspicious past, Mario was forced to work as a painter once again.

These days, Mario gladly accepts any painting job he is offered and hires former coworkers when more than one person is needed. Some months, he is able to cover the costs of the university and support his family.

Aside from ministering to his former coworkers by giving them work, he is a leader of the youth group in his church, and volunteers at an orphanage outside of Tegucigalpa. However, he continues to be looked down upon not for his past but because of his current employment status.

According to Mario, people are judged first by their social status. Social racism, or prejudice based on socioeconomic class, is as common as racial prejudice was and is in the United States. North Americans might first notice the ethnic features of someone new. Hondurans might first notice the signs of work. Calloused hands, sun tanned skin and the lean build of a worker cannot even be hidden by brand name jeans, shoes and cell phone.

Mario’s dream is to be an English teacher. He wants to help students learn, something he avoided for ten years. He is motivated in his studies by the “social racism” he experiences. If the Lord allows him to join the Honduran professional class, he wants to always be the same Mario. He wants to always treat others equally, regardless of their work.

"Chamba" in Honduras: Introduction

2009-02-02T11:17:00.007-06:00

Once a month a segment called "Working" airs on the radio show Marketplace from American Public Radio. The segment focuses on one person and their job. (You can view the entire series and listen to archives by clicking here)

Inspired by the series, we are proud to present a weekly series of posts called "Chamba in Honduras." (In Honduras, Chamba is slang for workin') The posts will appear every Wednesday in February and focus on the lives and work of Hondurans. The series will try to explain what it means to have a job in Honduras.

Workin' Facts

Despite already high unemployment levels in Honduras, experts predict less jobs in 2009. The World Factbook of the CIA estimated that the unemployment rate in Honduras was 27.8% in 2007. According to El Heraldo, one of the daily newspapers of Tegucigalpa, business was slowing down in 2008, evidenced by the layoffs of 20,000 construction workers and between 12,000 and 15,000 workers in the maquilas or garment factories. The business community was shocked on December 27, 2008, when President Jose Manuel Zelaya made official an increase in the minimum monthly wage from $180 (Lps 3,428.40) to $290 (Lps 5,500). Before the law went into effect on January 1, 2009, large personnel cutbacks began. The Honduran Private Business Council (Cohep) estimates that 15,000 Hondurans have been laid off since the announcement. The garment factories were not affected by the new wage because they pay per piecework or factory production. The National Industrial Association (ANDI) predicts cutbacks in the industrial sector of the economy to reach 300,000 Hondurans by the end of 2009.

The National Statistics Institute (INE) reports that Honduras has an active workforce of 3.2 million, of which 650,000 Hondurans have minimum wage jobs.

Peaceful Elections

2008-12-02T11:40:00.002-06:00

Peaceful elections are a sign of hope for Honduras. On Sunday, November 30, Hondurans participated in the primary elections to decide the presidential candidates for the two major political parties, among other governmental positions. The elections took place weeks after complicated and violent electoral processes in Nicaragua and Venezuela. The United States Ambassador said in Spanish that, “Honduras has demonstrated that it is an example of a model democracy.”

Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo, the Partido Nacional (National Party)’s candidate in the 2005 elections, won the nomination to represent his party. Mr. Lobo is the president of the Partido Nacional and lost in a close election to the current president, Manuel “Mel” Zelaya. From the Partido Liberal (Liberal Party) Elvin Santos won the nomination. Elvin Santos is the current Vice President of Honduras and there has been debate as to whether the constitution allows someone who has already acted as President to run for election (when the elected President is out of the country the Vice President takes over). Vice President Elvin Santos had been disqualified to run so he campaigned with a loyal friend whose name appeared on the ballot in place of Elvin Santos’.

The general elections are scheduled for November 2009.

A Job for José Angel

2008-11-17T15:02:00.004-06:00

There are not enough jobs in Hondurans. I am reminded of that when I talk with business owners like Eusebio Viatoro Bustillo (pictured in white shirt). When production is good, Mr. Bustillo has as many as ten employees in his shoe factory, Zapatería Fabí. For most of the year, however, Mr. Bustillo's payroll is closer to three. When there is a surge in orders for his shoes, seven employees quickly appear at Zapatería Fabí. Often these employees bring shoe production experience because they have worked for Mr. Bustillo in previous upturns in the local economy.

Why are jobs so scarce? What do those seven people do for the six to eight months a year that shoe sales are down?

Of the three constant employees at Zapatería Fabí, located in the barrio of Nueva Suyapa on the hills that surround Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is José Angel Discua (picture with hammer). For over a year and a half, Mr. Discua has been steadily employed by Mr. Bustillo.

What can be done so that the seven temporary workers have constant employment like José Angel Discua? Partners Worldwide is working in countries like Honduras to promote job creation through business growth. Please pray for the unemployed Hondurans and pray that we can know our part in helping them have a job like José Angel.

Elections Postponed After Storms

2008-11-04T10:06:00.002-06:00

The month of October was a devastating month for the country of Honduras. Torrential rain storms from a tropical depression flooded lands on the edges of rivers and reshaped the rivers’ paths across Honduras. In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch had similar impacts on the paths of rivers. The government announced yesterday that a team of experts were beginning the process of redrawing the map of Honduras.

While Hurricane Mitch caused 7,000 deaths and $3.8 billion in damage, many lessons were learned to prevent future destruction in high-risk flood areas. Unfortunately, areas that did not flood during Hurricane Mitch were among the lands devastated this year. Local media reports 34 deaths due to the flooding and another 13 deaths from a cold front that set in after the tropical depression passed.

The Honduran Armed Forces’ disaster responds and clean up has forced a change in the Honduras election process. The army has worked hard to remove people from communities that have been isolated after bridge washouts and they have also played a role in rebuilding roads and redirecting traffic through the counties’ mountainous terrain. With their relief efforts still needed, the President and National Congress have reached an agreement to push the primary elections back from the 16th to the 30th of November. With the extra two weeks, more military personnal will be available at voting booths.

Sweet Economy Changing: No Longer “Informal”

2008-08-20T11:09:00.005-06:00

When commercial transactions occur without the regulation of institutions (often governmental) they are said to be part of the informal or secondary economy. For many years Dulcería Abba (Abba Candy Production),maker of typical Honduran candy, was part of the informal economy of Honduras. Helped in part by a business loan from Stewardship of Christian Ministries (part of the Honduras Pella Affiliate), the candy company is registered with the Honduran Government and approved by the Health Department.

The change from the informal to formal economy has not been an overnight transformation. Reina Ortiz, the company owner, had to complete many steps to register her business, meet health inspector regulations, design packaging labels and negotiate contracts with new clients such as supermarket chains La Colonia and Wal-Mart Centroamérica. For a North American, these steps seem very natural and necessary but shifting economies is a difficult and often lonely process for Hondurans.

Ms. Ortiz, like most Hondurans, does not have the opportunities that a North American entrepreneur enjoys. There are five microfinance lending institutions and only three mentoring and training options in Nueva Suyapa, Ms. Ortiz’s marginalized poor community on the edge of the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa. Given the community’s location and historic social challenges associate with its poverty levels, night training sessions are not possible and few would want to visit her business to help with business strategies. In contrast there are thirty five institutions listed in the Small Business Resource Guide published by the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. These organizations offer free or low cost consulting, legal advice, financing and market research. The options available in a medium size city like Grand Rapids with 197,800 inhabitants vastly overshadow those available to the 890,000 residents of Tegucigalpa.

Partners Worldwide is trying to improve the options for Honduran entrepreneurs. The Honduran Affiliate mentioned above, Stewardship of Christian Ministries , has facilitated small business workshops within the community of Nueva Suyapa in cooperation with Honduran business owners and the governmental organization National Institution for Professional Formation (INFOP). The Honduran Affiliate is also in the process of planning the launch of a community business school to further expand the business services available to entrepreneurs.

Ms. Ortiz’s goals are to increase production, hire employees to monitor the product display in the supermarkets and sell to immigrants in North America through international distributors of “nostalgic food.” Although she is still anticipating the launch of her newly packaged product in the supermarkets, she is confident that her goals can be reached. A key to the success of Dulercía Abba will be access to consulting, financing and market data. The Honduras Pella Affiliate and Stewardship of Christian Ministries are encouraged by the growth of Reina Ortiz’s business and will continue to help more entrepreneurs change economies.

Death of Honduran Business Owner

2008-08-11T08:25:00.005-06:00

It is with great sorrow that I pass along the news of the death of Santos Obdulio Moreno, known to his friends as El Catracho (The Honduran). Mr. Moreno suffered a heart attack on Thursday, August 7, 2008, and was lied to rest the following day.

Mr. Moreno paid off his first Partners Worldwide (PW) sponsored loan from In-Country Affiliate Diaconía Nacional (DN) in 2007, and had faithfully made payments on a second loan received to finance his metal workshop. Mr. Moreno's workshop produces gates and structural framework and is located along the main highway in Santa María del Real, Olancho, near the regional offices of DN.

Mr. Moreno had lived in the United States earlier in his life and enjoyed practicing his English with North American visitors. Jason Garrett, a student at Harvard Divinity School interning with PW and DN, had been visiting Mr. Moreno to provide consulting of administrative principals.

Surviving Santos Obdulio Moreno are his wife, a teacher at the grade school in Santa María del Real, and two children. Mr. Moreno and his wife attended a local church.

Dilia Sanchez Receives US Visa

2008-08-08T08:38:00.003-06:00

Dilia Sanchez also received a visa following her US Embassy Interview. She looks forward to traveling to Michigan on October 1 to take part in the Partners Worldwide Conference, "Business as Ministry 2008: Partnering to End Poverty." Please pray that this event will help build important trust relationships and inspire new ideas to improve the work in Honduras.

Prayer Requested for Embassy Interviews

2008-07-25T12:12:00.001-06:00

***UPDATE***

Yoni was granted a visa to travel to the United States this morning. Thanks to everyone who has been in prayer for the interview today. Please continue to pray for Dilia's interview next week.

***PREVIOUSLY REPORTED***

As mentioned in a previous post, Yoni Arias and Dilia Sanchez have upcoming interviews with the U.S. Embassy. Yoni's interview is tomorrow, July 25, at 9:30am (EST) and Dilia's is next week Wednesday, July 30, at 10:30am (EST). If awarded visas, Yoni and Dilia will attend the International Business Conference, "Business as Ministry 2008: Partnering to End Poverty." Please pray for all the friends of Partners Worldwide who have upcoming visa interviews.

A Tranformational Factory

2008-07-18T10:35:00.006-06:00

In his own words:

Hello, I am Alfonso David González and I am 30 years old. I was born in the Municipal of Cantarranas in the Department of Francisco Morazán, Honduras, Central America, on June 7, 1978. I am an Industrial Technician. My wife’s name is Lilian Yadira Funez and we have two daughters, Estefahie and Gabriela.

About two and a half years ago I began a small garment factory. I began with two simple machines, one employee and the help of my wife who had worked a couple years in a clothing factory. At that time, I worked as a technician in a factory of cubayeras [a Cuban-style shirt used for school uniforms].

I wished to expand my business, but needed to purchase a couple industrial machines. It was then that I learned of Diaconía Nacional [in-country partner organization of Partners Worldwide] and applied for a loan. They decided to support my project by purchasing the first industrial machines and financing the purchase of some raw material. By means of this investment it was possible to hire three people and with faith that the Lord would provide, I signed my first contract for men’s shirts. Little by little I began gaining ground in the market.

I was still working my job as a technician at the factory but the production in my business was increasing. I had to quit my job and dedicate myself full time to my small business. The contracts and demand for new lines of clothing increased along with the need for more machines with varying functions. I purchased these machines with the profit from the business and hired more personal.

To date, I have eight full time employees and five on a temporary basis according to production. In all there are fourteen employees [with my wife Lilian], twenty machines and offer many different services in the fabrication of clothing including: t-shirts, security guard uniforms, P.E. uniforms for schools, cubayeras, pants, shirts, aprons and work overcoats.

I am in charge of finding clients and signing contracts and my wife focuses on the administration of personal.

I give thanks to the Lord for lifting me up because I had been falling into the trap of vices, wasting my money. Even though I had a dream, my bad habits kept me from achieving them until finally I met God. With gratitude to the Lord my life has changed and I have achieved my dream of having my own small business. I have been a member of a local church for three years and my marriage is strong. I also am grateful to Diaconía Nacional for the great support that they have provided me. I can count of this Christian Institution not only for loans but also for spiritual support and advice that has greatly served me.

Thank you.

Business Profile: Amparo Turcios

2008-07-16T08:19:00.004-06:00

The entrepreneur being profiled today is Amparo Turcios, owner of a beauty salon. Ms. Tucions worked for more than seventeen years in a famous Honduran hair salon but always dreamt of owning her own business. With her savings, she purchased a chair, mirrors and some other equipment needed to begin her own beauty salon in her neighborhood. She also took out a loan from Partners Worldwide's affiliate organization Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomia.

In referring to the loan Ms. Turcios said, "The loan was a great support because it helped me finish equipping my beauty salon. I now have the goal of starting another business that might be a clothing or cosmetics store. These are the plans that I have in my mind to try to reach."

Like many established businesses in poor communities, Ms. Turcios faces the challenge of selling services that are not of primary necessity to consumers who face historic food and energy prices. To increase sales, Ms. Turcios has been looking to move her businiess to a middle class neighborhood where there will be clients with more disposable income and a taste for fashion.

U.S. Embassy Interview

2008-07-11T09:27:00.007-06:00

Partners Worldwide (PW) will hold their International Business Conference on October 2-4, 2008. The conference will focus on business as ministry and explore the options of how partnerships can end poverty.

It is anticipated that the work of Partners Worldwide in Honduras will be represented by members of the North American Affiliate of Pella, Iowa, the Honduras Partnership Manager, and three representatives of the In-Country Affiliates. For this to occur, it is necessary for Yony Arias of Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía (MCM) and Dilia Sanchez of Diaconía Nacional to receive Visas from the United States Embassy in Honduras.

For many complicated reasons, it is difficult for Hondurans to visit the United States. They must plan a trip well in advance to have time to apply for a visa and pay $144 for the interview. While it is relatively inexpensive and timeless for a U.S. Citizen to obtain a Honduran visa (it is given at any port of entry to Honduras), the steps required of Hondurans to obtain a visa of the United States greatly limits the possibilities for Hondurans to visit the United States and attend events such as the Partners Worldwide International Business Conference.

On Friday July 25, 2008, at 7:30am, Yony Arias will have an interview at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras. Yony (Johnny) is the Director of the Income Generation Program at MCM, a partner organization of PW. Please keep this event in your prayers as Yony's presence at the conference would be extremely valuable for him and the entire Honduras Pella Affiliate. (At right Yony with his daugher)

Waiting to Rebuild

2008-07-10T10:17:00.003-06:00

On the night of May 21, 2008, a fire destroyed the Municipal Market of Catacamas. A short circuit that occurred around 9:45pm is believed to have produced sparks, starting a small fire near propane gas tanks. Once the fire reached the tanks used by restaurants in the market cafeteria, it was no long possible to controlled. The fire was finally put out at 5am the following morning with the help of firefighters from neighboring cities. One fire truck traveled four hours from the capital, Tegucigalpa, to help fight the blaze. Nobody died in the fire and the only reported injury was that of a night watchman hit by flying debris from the explosion of a propane tank.

The venders in the market that had stands where they sold meat, basic grains, vegetables and fruits have been forced to look for a way to financially survive this disaster. Many have set up temporary structures along the outer walls of the market. The national gove responded to the disaster with a pledge of 30,000 Lempiras ($1,500) to the owrnment hasners who lost everything and 13,000 ($650) to those who lost only part of their merchandise. Approximately ten loan recipients of Diaconia Nacional (DN), the In-Country Affiliate of Partners Worldwide, had businesses in the market. Serveral other loan recipients of DN were affected by the fire.

For Miriam Izabel Martinez Moradel, the fire left her without a business and thousands of dollars in losses. She was forced to build a wooden structure on the street. The aluminum roof keeps her dry from the daily rain, but she has been told that the city government is going to force the venders to move off the street. It would be another change with several negative consequences. The constant changes of location that Miriam has been forced to make has confused her regular customers. She is unable to offer the customers that do manage to find her the same selection of products as before the fire for lack of a freezer. Miriam stores meat in a freezer at her home and carries a small quanitiy to her temporary shop everyday. She cannot invest in an electric connection while she listens daily to rumors that the venders will be moved to another street or the county fairgrounds.

For now, all that remains of Miriam's business is the outer wall with the list of meats available for purchase. Miriam hopes to rebuild her business soon and move into a permanent location.

New Blog for a New Year

2008-07-09T09:54:00.000-06:00

Purpose of the Blog
The purpose of this blog is to inform and connect participants and interested friends of the Honduras Pella Affiliate of Partners Worldwide through the sharing of stories and pictures. Some stories that appear here are also posted on a blog of other Latin American Partnerships of Partners Worldwide

History of Partners Worldwide
Formally established in 1997, Partners Worldwide was originally called Partners of Christian Development. In January 2005, the name was changed to Partners Worldwide to better identify the organization to the business world and identify its work as a global ministry. Partners Worldwide continues to increase its mentoring relationships and helps businesses grow and transform lives.

History of Hondurs Pella Affiliate
Partners Worldwide was connected with two Honduran non-profit organizations that would eventually become its In-Country Affiliates. Diaconía Nacional (DN) and Ministerios Cristianos de Mayordomía (MCM), with more than twenty years of combined experience in micro finance lending, have the shared goal of Partners Worldwide to increase access to capital for small business owners. Both organizations extend loans with the purpose of generating household income, encouraging the habit of savings, and sharing the good news of salvation.

Shortly after the In-Country Affiliates were established, four businessmen from Pella, Iowa, made a trip to learn more about the business development needs in Honduras. These four business men formed the North American Affiliate and have now made eight trips to Honduras. They provide business mentoring and have participated in institutional evaluations with In-Country Affiliates.

Plans for 2008/09
In this new year, the Honduras Pella Affiliate hopes to witness the transformational power of God. They seek His blessing in plans to create more formal business training classes.

The Honduras Pella Affiliate asks for your prayers for the loan recipients who lost their businesses in a fire that destroyed a city market. Also, please pray for two loan officers, Yony Arias of MCM and Dilia Sanchez of DN, requesting a visa from the United States Embassy so that they can attend the Partners Worldwide International Business Conference in Muskegon, Michigan, scheduled for October 2-4.