Story of Mr. Manuel de Jesus Romero

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

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

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

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