Hunger is a harsh reality for many people worldwide, living below the poverty line. Each year the PCI Annual World Development Appeal aims to support some of the most vulnerable families and communities across the world but working alongside the Christian Aid and Tearfund and their partner organisations.
This year the Christian Aid development project is focused in Honduras.
A map of Honduras and the surrounding area.
Honduras sits in the middle of Central America, bordered by Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. The country’s economy largely depends on agriculture, including bananas and coffee, making it vulnerable to the effects of climate change and natural disasters.
The Global Climate Risk Index ranks Honduras third in the list of countries most affected by extreme weather events, due to its vulnerability to tropical storms, floods, droughts and landslides.
Apart from climate, Honduras faces challenges from drug trafficking, political instability, food insecurity, gender-based violence and economic migration. 60% of the population live in poverty.
Western Honduras is located in the so called “Dry Corridor” a region that is particularly susceptible to climate change and has frequent droughts. The Lempira region is the poorest in Honduras.
Christian Aid and OCDIH
Christian Aid is working in the Lempira District through OCDIH: The Christian Organization for Integral Development of Honduras. OCDIH works with indigenous communities on a range of small projects including beekeeping, fish farming and coffee production with the aim of combatting the causes of poverty and marginalization.
OCDIH is a faith-based organization and their work is strongly based on a Christian identity and Christian principles.
OCDIH trains women in beekeeping and helps to produce and market the honey. Income is generated through selling honey and this can then be used to support the family, as well as provide education for the children. The project is a cooperative venture, allowing women to support one another, learn about the environment and develop leadership skills.
Maria
Maria has three children and runs a small shop from her home. She received two hives two years ago and has now divided them into four. She wants to build up the number of hives to ten and then start selling the honey.
“It was a dream. I wanted to have those beehives, but due to the situation, I couldn’t, but thanks to Christian Aid, this dream was a reality.”
Candida has 11 children and 37 grandchildren.
“I haven’t been to school a single day in my life… My parents were very, very poor. Too poor. They couldn’t put any of their family [in school]. I cannot even read but I am very motivated.”
“First they gave me one [beehive] in one year, then the second one I received in the next year. Out of those I already have four beehives, four beehives!”
“We live peacefully – I used to be very stressed. I was very stressed. Now you can see I’m very happy. It has changed my life a lot.”
These are more than just beehives, they are a means of income, an opportunity, a future. They are hives of hope.
You can bring hope this Christmas by supporting the World Development Appeal. Envelopes will be available in the church and can be returned in the offering plate or to the Church office (cheques made out to Groomsport Presbyterian Church).
