By Robby Brumberg
I just read a press release from our PR team about a new Food For The Poor Fishing Village initiative in Honduras. Kind donors are equipping local fishing cooperatives in Omoa and Puerto Cortes with new boats, motors, and other fishing equipment to help them increase their catch. It’s uplifting to hear about a great project like this that will benefit communities in need of a boost. Especially in Honduras.
It’s been a rough year for our Honduran brothers and sisters to say the least. Chances are if you read about the country in the past year, the subject matter was probably grim. Widespread poverty and lack of opportunity is fueling countless desperate searches for a better life.
All that to say, I was encouraged to read about these new Fishing Villages. I like the Fishing Village program because it helps local fishermen, but also offers them training in environmental protection and how to manage precious marine resources. The fishermen are also asked to contribute a portion of proceeds from their catch to local folks in need. The project gives people like Juan, a fisherman from Omoa, the opportunity to “take better care of our families,” as he is quoted in the press release.
One more observation about the aptness of this project… I just read that the origin of Honduras’ name (which roughly means “depths” in Spanish) was a tribute to the deep, bountiful waters the country is surrounded by. How poetic then that this Fishing Village project will give poor fishermen (many of whom have been mired in the depths of despair and poverty) better access to, and training to protect, the abundant depths for which their country was named.
Linda Coello, who leads our partner organization in Honduras (CEPUDO), summed it up beautifully: “The expression on the faces of these men as the fishing boats were delivered to the villages made my heart swell with pride. But watching the fishermen proudly return with their first catch to shore in their new boats made me cry tears of joy. We are so honored to be the channel through which Food For The Poor is able to provide this blessing to the people of Honduras…”
You can read more about the Honduras Fishing Villages here and here.