heks

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Some 23 per cent of the people live in desperate poverty. The neglect of the rural population is driving more and more people to the towns. People are also migrating to other countries, mainly the USA, in increasing numbers.  Men, women and young people will go to the most daring lengths to flee from a life bereft of prospects.Yet the Honduran people have still not given up hope of a more humane future. People in the village communities are working with commitment and creativity towards a better future. They join forces and try to solve problems together, seeking help and support in their efforts from aid agencies and other organisations. HEKS is persuaded of the motivation of people and is confident of facilitating an effective contribution in the fight against poverty. Today HEKS is concentrating its focus on selected rural communities in the south of Honduras. Food security, promotion of peace / prevention of violence for young people, disaster prevention and readiness to help in emergencies are central to the programmes and projects supported by HEKS. HEKS works with local organisations and runs training courses to enhance their performance and increase their 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, engaging in afforestation schemes with a view to improving the water balance, and much more. 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 generation.

HEKS works with several partner organisations which look after the street children, mainly in the capital Tegucigalpa. Some 150 children and young people are helped and supported every year in such a way as to offer them the chance of a decent life. HEKS joins with other organisations in campaigning for the rights and interests of the children and young people to be protected by the state agencies.

Honduras is also at great risk of being hit by hurricanes, floods and famine. There are, however, damage limitation measures which can be put in place. The fertile soil can be protected from flooding by simple means, such as building graduated terracing into the parcels of land.  HEKS is committed to helping its partner organisations to be better informed on handling the risk of impending disaster.