Commerce

You’ve heard the saying, “Give a man a fish, and he eats for one day. Teach him to fish, and he’ll be able to feed his family for good.” We’re here to teach our friends in Honduras to fish. The Commerce Program encourages budding entrepreneurs to follow their dreams by teaching them business skills and by helping them apply for small but timely start-up financing.  In our ranch store, we provide a regular outlet for local crafts and experience in running a retail operation. The Commerce Program does not just give aid, it gives opportunities. Even more importantly, those opportunities grow out of Honduras own ambitions, not from an agenda imposed on them by North Americans.

In 2006, we will begin efforts to broaden our work in this area.  Currently, there are two areas which were started through the efforts of HOI and continue to flourish with some assistance from HOI groups.  In the village of El Aguacate a woodworking co-op has been working together using peddle-driven ban saws to produce beautifully carved crosses and ornaments.  In the village of Las Delicias a pottery co-op has been working together to produce hand sculpted pottery items.