Peaceful Elections

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

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

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”

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

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

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

***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

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

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

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

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

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.