Community Development

The Community Development program is a way for a community in our valley and a sponsoring group of North Americans to form a longer-term relationship that can make the most of all our programs. Most mission teams work in the same village for a two or three year period. However, in addition to simply working and visiting once a year, each team is provided the opportunity to formally partner with that village. This means that the team agrees to sign a partnership agreement stating that they will help the village during the year through a financial commitment of $2000 per year for a two-year commitment. This commitment provides the village training in problem solving, teamwork, and planning. It addresses needs in village infrastructure, education, health and hygiene, agriculture and entrepreneurial development. It encourages and assists the spiritual development of both residents and visitors. This formal partnership also provides training by the HOI nutritionist in proper methods to cultivate and grow family and school gardens. It also provides formal training and school supplies for the volunteer kindergarten teacher in the village. HOI conducts over 130 community development meetings annually. In 2010, a pilot project was begun to help create more self sustaining communities. Our staff and mission teams are focusing on community gardens, community chicken coops and talipia ponds as a means of increasing the nutrition level of the villagers and creating income from these various food sources.

During 2010, mission teams from across the U.S. were able to complete 276 cement floors, 43 latrines, 57 new roofs, 67 room additions, 117 chimneys and they taught 1287 children in village bible school programs. In addition to the construction work teams in the communities, specialized teams also performed physical rehabilitation for 108 patients, provided teacher training for 41 kindergarten teachers and veterinary care for over 1800 animals.

Click here to download the Community Development donation flyer