Well-Being For All

Report from Terry Fielder in Honduras - Part 2

Rural Reconstruction Program, La Buena Fe, Zacapa, Santa Barbara, Honduras – August 16, 2006

Enrique Castillo and eight of his staff are now three days into meetings and training workshops facilitated by Faruq Faisel and Gabriela Mayorquin. Our goal is to produce a new Program Application to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) that is the part of the Canadian Government that provides foreign AID. A small percentage of Canada’s Foreign AID budget each year is allotted to DEVELOPMENT and is made accessible to small agencies like World Accord.

Our government has established some criteria that must all be met to qualify. So, here we are in Honduras to yet again apply for support for World Accord’s community development program. World Accord has successfully met CIDA requirements consistently since 1984.

World Accord has been given a budget total to apply for each three-year cycle. It has not changed since 1997. Yet, our dollar purchasing power has declined, costs have risen, CIDA compliance requirements and costs have risen and expectations of results or impacts continue to increase. So every time we apply, we request an increase but for the past 9 years, budget totals have been frozen.

Again this year, we will present a Program plan that will justify an increase. Hence, Faruq and Gabriela are here to assist World Accord and our Partners to make this application. It requires some training both in Central America and Canada. Faruq is our trainer. We are all learning from each other. Such is life in this development work. Learning and sharing what we have learned. This new Program Application we are writing, no matter how good it is, will not solve all of the problems these people face. Rather, it is like helping a carpenter to acquire the tools for their trade. A doctor needs more than just education to diagnose. Illness. Diagnostic tools like a stethoscope, a tongue depressor, an x-ray, an ultrasound, etc. are necessary before treatment can begin.

For those born in rural areas in poor nations, education, training, access to land and new techniques are all needed to achieve a sustainable level of food security, health care, shelter and education for their children. And you, as a donor to World Accord, help us make these more possible.

From Honduras, MUCHAS GRACIAS! Thank YOU very much!

Terry Fielder

PS. World Accord will apply to more than double the current Program. CIDA will provide match funding. Whatever CIDA grants, WA will need to raise $1.00 and CIDA will grant $3.00. CIDA can make an amazing difference for thousands of families in Honduras and Guatemala.

posted by World Accord Staff @ 2:56 PM