Activities
Overview
Activities have ranged from a sustainable agriculture project, the provision of pure water to both FunaVid and the neighbouring community, creating eco-tourism facilities, plans for a substantial algae project, assistance to the community, restoration of the mangroves and lagoon by the shore, working on the installation of electricity from renewable sources (solar and hydro power) and of course School of Christ activities. FunaVid, aims to restore the local area and promote the Inga system to the local farmers. This work is undertaken in association with CURLA professors, who are also teaching rural high school students in sustainable farming, including the Inga system. These classes have bee held at FunaVid.
Sustainable agriculture
This is based on the Inga alley cropping agroforestry system (see What is Inga alley cropping?). There are six Inga plots on FunaVid land on the mountain, planted by Dr. Guillermo Valle. A new larger plot of about 6 hectares is to be planted high up the mountain as an Inga demonstration facility, and a large seedling nursery for both Inga and other trees has been created. Dr. Valle and associates from CURLA have taught sustainable farming, including Inga alley cropping, at FunaVid, to rural high school students from local schools and this program is now being rolled out over much of Honduras, with the teachers, rather than the students, being taught. See Sustainable agriculture.
FunaVid land on the mountain showing the grassy areas where the main Inga demonstration area is to be. (Photo copyright Tiiu Miller 2009)
Pure water and green electricity
Clean water was brought down from a mountain spring to the FunaVid premises and also to the local community of about 50 people next to FunaVid some years ago. This has made a noticeable difference to the health of the children. This water supply is now being harnessed to also provide hydro-electricity. Additionally solar panels are being installed. See Green energy and clean water.
Eco-tourism
An eco-tourist trail is being created up the mountain, ending at the 6 hectare main Inga demonstration area high on the mountain. The existing champa (shelter) on the mountain, will be extended, and an existing small house is also being extended to provide tourist accommodation. Read about the exciting progress at Eco-tourism.
Coral reef and Mangrove restoration
A few struggling mangroves remain on the shore. Fresh seedlings have been planted, and the lagoon is to be restored. When Inga alley cropping replaces slash and burn on the mountain there will be less sediment to the benefit of the mangroves and the coral reef off shore. The reef is being surveyed now before the slash and burn has been replaced with Inga and will then be surveyed again when that has happened to demonstrate the difference. See Mangrove restoration.
North Honduran coast. The white line in the distance is waves breaking over the coral reef. (Photo copyright Dr. Guillermo Valle, 2009)
Algae project
The Global Environmental Fund has approved FunaVid for an advanced algae demonstration project. This involves extensive paper work. This is progressing, even if slowly. Scientists have visited the facility and approved the site for construction. They have agreed to oversee the construction / production and teaching of CURLA students and the local people to operate the facility. Also the US scientists will continue to research for the complete utilization of the produced algae product. These are potentially very valuable. We are hopeful this will open the way for a university student exchange program with CURLA and US universities.
Helping the local community
We try to be actively involved in the local communities and helping wherever possible, making use of both our know-how and equipment. We set up electricity for the neighbouring community using one of our transformers and we helped with the installation of wiring, meters, lights and appliances.
We built a concrete block-house for an impoverished family with 4 children, one of whom has Down’s Syndrome. They had been living in a temporary shelter.
When possible we work with a free medical clinic in the Bel Aire - Piedre Amorillo communities, assisting in medical evaluations.
FunaVid provided transportation and personnel to help rebuild a church that was washed away in the mountains.
Honduras children, with FunaVid mountain in the background. (Photo copyright Dr. Dodson 2011)
School of Christ Events
Seminars of the School of Christ were carried out in 2009 in Honduras on FUNAVID premises with pastors from La Masica and Santa Rosa de Aguan. We are currently working with groups of students from Coray Valle coordinated by Pastor Luis Salinas. In La Libertad, Francisco Morazan, pastor Antonio Baca coordinates another group of students, as well as in the Penitential Model Farm premises of La Ceiba and La Masica coordinated by Pastors Manuel and Miguel Castro.
Over the past year much work has been carried out in Honduras, Panama, Belize, Colombia, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua with over 140 students graduated in these countries. The course of the School of Christ is a non-denominational study of the teachings of Christ. A graduate has not only acquired the knowledge, but also a true understanding of these teachings, and has made a commitment to follow them.