Announcing a ‘Budding’ Partnership with Trellis Garden and Design

  CHOICE is excited to announce a new partnership with Trellis Garden and Design! For each ‘perennial peony’ purchased, Trellis will donate $5 to CHOICE’s agricultural training program in Guatemala! And how far will $5 go? Well, $5 will purchase 5 trees to be planted in Guatemala!

The building of the water system is well underway, and our In-Country Manager Willy Mendoza cannot speak highly enough of the work this community is doing, “This project was prioritized by all the community, including women, elderly, and young, which ensures that it will be maintained and the water supply will be sustainable [long after the project is completed].” These villagers have solved a problem that they, and generations of other Bolivians, had thought unsolvable. The water system in Jankocala stands as a testament to the CHOICE approach: when villages are empowered, nothing can stop their progress, not even Mother Nature.

Samuel has only recently become involved in the non-profit world, but has long been interested.  His father, Joseph Grenny, is co-founder and current chairman of the board of UNITUS, a non-profit organization focused on Microcredit acceleration and impact investing, so Samuel has had a lot of exposure to the field.

A trip to Kenya at the age of 8 set Samuel’s interest in motion.  He saw and experienced firsthand the vast discrepancy in wealth between affluent nations and the third world. His father’s involvement in Microcredit, though, is what drew Samuel’s attention to the work being done to improve under developed countries.  He was excited not only by the prospect of assisting the poor, but by the way in which Microcredit empowered the poor to help themselves.

Samuel spent the summer of 2011 at the Asayo’s Wish Orphanage in Kaberamaido, Uganda, teaching Mathematics at the local school and developing and training the staff of the Orphanage. Samuel sees this as his biggest learning experience thus far.  He was thrown into the local culture and really saw firsthand what it takes to create lasting change. Samuel returned to the US even more committed to a model focusing on self-sufficiency and empowering the poor. Naturally then, CHOICE was a perfect fit for him to continue his involvement; its entire model is based on exactly what he was looking for–empowerment.

Samuel will continue his work with CHOICE until June, when he will return to Uganda to continue his project there. Everyone here at CHOICE enjoys having Samuel aboard.  He has been instrumental in keeping our supporters informed, and we’re excited to influence the next generation to continue the work!

Leadership Training

“We developed a curriculum that focused on identifying quality leadership with an emphasis on accountability of elected leaders and the peaceful transition of power from one group to another,” explained Oreu Kasanju, a CHOICE Humanitarian staff member.After several meetings to discuss the performance of the Community Development Organization Council, members realized that one of the leaders was not performing according to their expectations. This review resulted in the election of new leadership. The lessons they have learned over the years were put in practice and they were happy to introduce CHOICE to the new leadership.

Mr. Toya spoke with pride of the election. “The new team is clear on their responsibilities and what we expect of them. No excuses are entertained.” He continued to say, “Development is serious business that requires committed persons who are accountable to the whole group and the community in general.”

The new chairman, Mr. John Lugwe said, “This election is about our future as residents of Samburu, Kenya and the work we do here is for our own benefit.” He promised to deliver and give constant feedback to the committee members and the community at large on the successes and challenges he faces during his term in office.

It is so critical for these communities to have strong leadership if they want to be successful in reaching their development goals. Thank you for supporting this training that provides these communities with the necessary tools to end their own poverty. We expect to see great things from this new leadership.

The oil extracted from the seeds of the Jatropha plant is used to make biodiesel for standard diesel engines as well as a low carbon alternative to heating oil. Jatropha is resistant to drought, pests, produces high yielding seeds containing an average of 35% oil and grows well in Nepal.

The progress has been phenomenal. The community was trained on how to grow and cultivate the Jatropha plant – from starting the plants with seeds in a nursery, to later harvesting and selling the seeds. Since this projects inception, Divyapuri villagers have purchased and planted 146,000 plants and have grown an additional 45,000 plants in their own nursery. The plants are growing well and will begin yielding seeds next year.

In the mean time, with the help of CHOICE, the community has made connections with an oil expelling factory that has committed to purchase their seeds. The community now has plans to grow their business. The community leader, Til Prasad Pathak, said, “The community has a plan to expand the Jatropha plantation in the future and set up their own oil expelling machine.”

This project have a lasting impact on the 6,500 people who live in Divyapuri, setting them on a path out of poverty. In addition to this project, the villagers have also completed a village wide water project. The ground water in Divyapuri contains high levels of arsenic which resulted in many types of skin disease in the area. Now they are drinking clean water and the overall health of the village is improving.

Recently CHOICE Humanitarian teamed up with the villages of Tuni, Challapata and Wayraconi to provide an efficient alternative for cooking meals – solar ovens. During a four day workshop facilitated by the CHOICE staff Fèlix, Germàn and Julio, the communities learned how to build and use their new ovens.

The villagers were very excited about this opportunity, and eager to show their dedication to the project by contributing the necessary funds to purchase the supplies themselves. These solar ovens can roast peanuts, cook potatoes, corn, quinoa (a grain), breads, cakes, and even pizza without the use of fuel.

Maxi, CHOICE staff in Bolivia says, “These ovens are great because solar rays are free and they make very healthy food because there is no loss of nutrients.” Unfortunately these ovens do not work when it rains or in the early hours of the morning before the sun rises, but as long as the sun is shining, the ovens are in constant use.

Because of your support CHOICE Humanitarian trainings, just like this one, are happening all over Bolivia, providing the necessary skills to help these communities find solutions to their own poverty. Thank you!

Your support has helped CHOICE Humanitarian provide unique training for Alejandro and Lupita, and the startup capital needed for their nursery, which is now growing all the time.

They currently have 28 goats (20 adults and 8 kids), 6 rabbits, 10 sheep, 25 chickens, and plenty of plants, flowers and trees. Their plan is to repay the loan for these animals and plants within the next year. The goats provide 4 liters of milk a day which they can sell, and they can also sell the kids for 400 pesos each (about $34). The other animals can also be sold for a profit.

Another project of focus for the family is raising plants which are perfect for “Square Foot Gardening.” This system is becoming very popular in the area since it is a way to grow a lot of fruits and veggies in a small raised bed – perfect for areas with poor soil, limited space or inexperienced gardeners.

Soil class.

Thanks to your support, this family now has a viable business which, for them, is literally producing a way out of poverty. They are a bright example to the community of hard work and dedication. With your continuing support, CHOICE will be able to provide opportunities for other families just like Alejandro and Lupita – families who want a better life for themselves but just need a little help to get started. Thank you to each and every one of you at Spectrum Health who donate from your paychecks each month to make this happen. Alejandro and Lupita thank you as well.

The village leader, Erasmo Ticona Jilir Mallku, said, “We are seeking support to help make our dream of clean water come true because water is life and very important to the growth and development of our community.”

Erasmo Ticona Jilir Mallku

Because of your support, planning for this project is already under way. Water projects like this one are happening all over Bolivia. In a few weeks a CHOICE expedition will be traveling to the village of Pomamaya to work on a similar water project. Not only do these projects provide access to a vital resource, they build on the community’s leadership and ability to make future dreams come true. Thank you so much for your ongoing support. It does make a difference.

Adult Literacy Class

Because of these successes, and their new skills and confidence, this community has done something that is unheard of in the area. Chirixquitzac borrowed a very large sum of money from the government to purchase the land they have lived on for many years, thus allowing them to cultivate the land. The loan is to be paid back within 10 years.

Jorge, CHOICE In-Country Director for Guatemala, said, “at first glance it seems like an impossible task for a poor community where there are few economic opportunities to repay such a debt, but they do have a great desire to escape from extreme poverty and that is powerful.”

We are absolutely astonished to tell you that in the last year they have paid off seventy-five percent of the loan! They used the proceeds from harvesting and selling the Cardamom grown on the newly acquired land. This community is really motivated to get out of poverty.

Cardamom, of the ginger family. Used as a spice.

Jorge congratulated Chirixquitzac and said, “It is wonderful to see and be part of a community that has not surrendered to poverty, but are fighting for and are committed to achieving a better quality of life.”