We’re going to Miami!?!
Jennifer Temmer
August 24, 2010
Honduras


Lately there have been many changes going on here in CAUSE Honduras. As of last Wednesday it had been over a month since I had left Ciriboya. To put this into perspective, Ciriboya is remote- very remote. I enjoy using the metaphor of the popcorn machine when talking about the old school buses that transport people to and from Iriona. The buses, just like the popcorn machine, are hot, crowded with people who have been jostled so much that they are ready to explode! The only advantage to the popcorn machine is that the hot air does not bathe you in dust from the road. This however is just a side note, and not the basis of this blog. I only thought I would share my justification for not having left Ciriboya in such a significant amount of time.

The real topic of this blog is about a trip that our new director, Martha Lila, our friend Juliana and I took to assess the communities around Tela for expansion of the micro-credit program. In two days we assessed five Garifuna communities: Miami, Tornabe, San Juan, Triunfo de la Cruz and La Ensenada. Each community had its different idiosyncrasies, strengths and weaknesses. By roaming around taking pictures and talking with people and the local community councils (patronatos) we were better able to understand the realities of these communities.

In every community there are issues with land claims. It is a continual struggle for the Garifuna to stay on what small parcel of land currently belongs to them. There is also a noticeable deterioration of local Garifuna culture. There is no place to grow yucca to make casabe, youth speak predominantly Spanish and traditional dance has been morphed into something completely different. However, there is hope. There are many people within the communities who are fighting to revive traditions, language, music and foods. These people are leaders in their communities and seem to be relatively well organized. The communities are also organized and know their rights and are willing to stand up for them. This is not the case in all the communities unfortunately, but for the most part we see positive progress being made. Over all the experience was a good one. I’m happy to have had the chance to visit more Garifuna communities and receive a better understanding of their plight. I am happy to know that CAUSE Honduras will soon be working together with many of the people we have met in order to help them strengthen and improve their communities. Much of the work CAUSE Honduras does goes above and beyond mere micro-credit and preventative health. By helping to organize women we are also providing spaces where ideas are exchanged, people are inspired and positive change occurs.