heks

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Around 65 per cent of the population live in desperate poverty. The neglect of the rural population is the main reason for the continuous migration of people to the towns. Increasing numbers of people are also emigrating abroad, mainly to the USA. Women, men and young people will go to the most daring lengths to flee from a life without prospects.

In spite of this, many Hondurans have still not given up hope of a more humane future in their country. People in the village communities are working with commitment and creativity towards a better future. They are joining forces and trying to solve problems together, seeking help to do so from aid agencies, churches and other organisations. HEKS is confident that people are motivated and is convinced that there are ways out of the vicious circle of poverty and that the hopes of the people can be fulfilled.

HEKS is concentrating its focus here on selected rural communities in the south of Honduras. The development of rural communities, the protection and defence of human rights, disaster prevention and a readiness to provide emergency relief are central to the programmes and projects supported by HEKS. HEKS works with local organisations and runs training courses to enhance their performance and effectiveness.

Aims, points of focus, initiatives:

HEKS helps the population to get the best out of infertile soils in order to be able to feed themselves and have enough left over for local distribution. Practical courses are offered to teach farming families about diversifying their crops, protecting the native seeds, installing simple irrigation systems and engaging in afforestation schemes to improve the water balance. These families are highly motivated to pass their knowledge on to others. Within a short space of time there are visible differences in the villages – prospects are improving, even for the younger generations. In addition to this, HEKS campaigns for an agricultural policy in Honduras that puts the needs of family smallholdings at its centre.

HEKS also campaigns for the preservation and defence of human rights in Honduras. Persons and groups endangered and at risk should be protected from repression. People living in the focus regions are encouraged to become active citizens so that they can demand and defend their rights independently.

Honduras is at great risk of being hit by hurricanes, floods and droughts. There are, however, measures that can be put in place to protect them from such disasters and to significantly limit any damage. The fertile soil can be protected from flooding by simple means, such as terracing the parcels of land. HEKS is committed to helping its partner organisations to be better informed on handling the risk of impending disaster.