‘Despite the difficulties, there is always a way forward’
Jose, a farmer in Honduras, recently found himself unemployed when the maquila where he worked as a textile machine operator closed down. He began to work every day on his farm, while always worrying that there might not be enough to support his family.
“I feel a bit desperate at times,” Jose said. “There are days when I wonder how I will be able to bring food home without a steady job.”
Despite these difficulties, he never lost hope. Encouragement from his friends and family helped him to stay positive and continue working.
“I have been unemployed for four months now, but thank God, we have always had enough to eat.”
Jose encountered Convoy of Hope while working at the maquila and became involved in the Agriculture program.
“When I started attending Convoy of Hope meetings and getting involved in the pig farm project, I felt a new motivation and hope.”
Jose received training from Convoy that enabled him to explore new areas of farming, such as establishing a pig farm and growing cucumbers.
Now, Jose is able to dedicate more time to his farm. He has learned how to take care of the pigs by managing their feeding, weighing them without a scale, and choosing the right medications for them when they are sick.
“Since I have started applying the skills I learned with Convoy of Hope, my life has changed for the better.”
Jose is now a mentor to other farmers in his community. Whenever anyone comes to him for advice, he uses his knowledge and passes along the training he has received in order to help the whole community.
“I am happy to give them the guidance they need. It feels good to know that I am helping those in need.”
As Jose’s farm continues to grow, so does his hope for the future. He plans to work with other crops and continue helping people with the knowledge that he has acquired.
“I hope that the future I have always dreamed of will become a reality. I want my children, when I am no longer able to work, to see the effort I have put in and learn to fend for themselves.”
Jose hopes that one day he will be able to support himself completely from the farm. Now that he dedicates more time to this dream, Jose looks forward to seeing the results of his efforts and the satisfaction of having something of his own.
“The experience has been positive and has shown me that, despite the difficulties, there is always a way forward.”
