Ten Honduran Women are Set to Launch a Sustainable Urban Agriculture MicrofinanceVegetable Business
Using “Macro tunnel” Technology
The world-wide Pandemic has taken a terrible toll on families and businesses globally, but the impact on developing countries like Honduras has been even more painful. One thing remains clear: families must have access to high-quality natural foods to live healthy lives and sustain themselves through this crisis.
CareLink leadership recently became aware of ten inspiring Honduran women who were struggling to keep their small backyard pepper farm operational during the current COVID-19 lock-down. While their little pepper business showed promise, local grocery stores and some restaurants that these ladies were selling to were demanding more consistently high-quality products, a wider selection of produce, and much larger volume. As hard-working as these determined women were, they simply did not have the resources to expand their business and stay viable during the Pandemic. They were scrambling to feed their families, and their business was in serious jeopardy of failing.
Realizing this was the perfect business for CareLink funding, we partnered with the Zamorano Agricultural School in Honduras to provide training for the women on crop diversification and found a local plot of land operated by Christian Stewardship Ministries. We secured the training, obtained a no-cost “lease” on the land, and provided the women with a $5,000 microfinance loan/grant. This arrangement will enable the women (led by “Mirtalla,” a fearless and dedicated entrepreneur) to build and operate a state of the art “Macro Tunnel” greenhouse using eco-friendly drip irrigation technology. The result? A thriving new business in the Nueva Suyapa community that creates jobs and provides high-quality, locally sourced produce to families. This vegetable cooperative will now produce peppers, tomatoes, and other fresh and healthy items.
Microfinance is a powerful financial engine that empowers families, transforms lives, and fuels local economic development.
You can help finance a new business with as little as $300. (But any donation is welcome!) Will you help?
