On Sunday, October 27, Students Helping Honduras took a large step forward in its effort to provide more than seventy homes to the villagers at Siete de Abril in El Progreso, Honduras.
For the past several months, SHH has been working hard with Honduran lawyers and government officials to obtain land titles for the families living at Siete de Abril. Although nearly half of the land in Honduras is currently untitled, SHH felt very strongly that this was a critical precursor to any building project—for which security and sustainability are primary goals. Ultimately, this process was complicated by the villagers’ uncertain right of ownership, a fact disputed by several external parties. The resulting legal processes to obtain village ownership of this land may have taken between one and five years to realize, if possible at all.
In an effort to represent the best interests of villagers, members, and donors, SHH leaders determined that the process described above was both uncertain and presented an unreasonable time frame. As a result, SHH has recently overseen the purchase of Las Brisas de la Libertad, a 51,030m2 plot of land that cost $66,000. It is located only a few minutes farther by bus from the center of El Progreso than the current village. Additionally, it is near several other community growth projects, including a new university and shopping mall.
The villagers themselves have formed an integral part of the decision-making process. Nearly every head of household had the opportunity to see the land and give input to SHH prior to the purchase. Following numerous community meetings, SHH is confident that all will decide to complete the transition to the new land. Furthermore, based on the results of a recent socioeconomic survey of the village, it is unlikely that this move will force any village members to change their jobs.
SHH believe that this decision represents the first step to fulfilling meaningful promises made to the villagers, members, and donors in April 2007. Over the winter of 2007-08, nearly 175 volunteers will help to begin construction at Las Brisas de la Libertad. It is expected that this process will allow all families to have new homes within two years.
