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The 'Finca Caravan' left California on August 1, 2001, and arrived, some 3,900 miles later, in El Pital, Honduras on August 15. Thanks to drivers Tony Donoghue, Heather Sullivan, Phil Halbert, and Holly Meyers, who donated not only their time but the cost of travel and lodging, the donated merchandise arrived in one piece. The volunteer drivers were accompanied by Un Mundo board members Anthony Pereira and Ken Hutz. The group was later joined by board members Tim and April Watson, who flew to Honduras on August 19. The group stayed for a productive and rewarding two weeks, the results of which could not have been achieved without the generous support of our friends and donors.
The Trust Document
The first task upon arrival was to present the in-kind donations to Jorge Aguilar, Director of the Instituto de la Cuenca, along with the trust document spelling out the disposition of all in-kind and financial donations. Un Mundo founder Ken Hutz then called a meeting with all the teachers and parents of students to introduce the donations and trust document. The attendance at the meeting was overwhelming and, although a novel concept to most, everyone seemed excited about the idea of holding the assets in a community trust.
The Instituto de la Cuenca trust document, true to Un Mundo mission and values, was drafted to ensure that donations would reach those most in need and be distributed democratically by the community itself. At the first meeting, the trust document was introduced and explained.
Parents of students then took copies home to consider for a few days before reconvening to clarify points, make amendments, and sign. People welcomed this novel document allowing them to both direct the administration of trust assets and enforce their rights as beneficiaries.
Parents, teachers and other community members gathered to discuss and vote on the management of the trust established by Un Mundo.
Transportation — A Key Community Resource
The truck that carried most of the donated supplies to El Pital, and which was itself then donated to the community, was then used to transport students who live in remote villages surrounding the Instituto de la Cuenca. No public form of transportation exists to get the students living in the Cangrejal River valley (where El Pital is located) to and from class each day. Despite the newly built Instituto de la Cuenca, without transport education is out of the reach of many children in the valley. In fact, lack of transportation in general is a factor in many of the challenges faced by the small rural communities in Honduras.
The "canasta" is the only way in El Pital to get from one side of the Rio Cangrejal to the other. Clockwise from left: Adonis, Holly, Tim and Olman (the muscle that powers the canasta)
So, as one can imagine, the truck's arrival in the town of El Pital was a celebrated event. As a trust asset, it was the responsibility of the community to arrange for a driver and the fuel and maintenance requirements of the vehicle. During the meetings of parents and teachers, there was much discussion generated about the division and accountability of these duties. It was finally decided that a portion of the trust's funds would be used for gasoline and regular maintenance costs, and that the truck would initially be in the care of and driven by the Director of the Instituto de la Cuenca.
OutcomesThe Instituto de la Cuenca project brought people together in many ways. Donations provided access to education for people whose poverty would have otherwise denied them that experience. The trust document, based on one vote per person, helped incorporate and give a voice to even the most marginalized in El Pital and surrounding communities. The inhabitants of El Pital were given an opportunity to work together for a common understanding and collective good. And donors and volunteers had the opportunity to glimpse into the lives of some of the world's poorest inhabitants. Un Mundo is very grateful to our donors for making all this happen, and we hope this report conveys at least a small part of the enormous difference your donations made.