9 July 2003
Valle
Much of the infrastructure in the Valle Area Development Programme (ADP) area was destroyed during Hurricane Mitch at the end of 1998. However, the people did not despair as they might have done in the past. Through World Vision’s work with them over many years, they had learnt the skills to make repairs quickly.
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 Valle ADP (map not to scale)
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Health
Health workers regularly monitor the children and immunise the under-fives. Parents learn about nutrition, hygiene, family spacing, and how to recognise common childhood illnesses. Families are adding toilets to their homes to improve sanitation. Hurricane Mitch damaged water systems, leaving people without access to clean drinking water, so the ADP is installing new piped water systems and wells.
Education
To encourage parents to send their children to school, the ADP has established pre-schools, upgraded primary school buildings, trained teachers and provided classroom equipment. Literacy classes have given adults the chance to learn how to read and write, increasing their confidence to take part in community decision-making.
Scholarships are available to young people to learn a trade such as carpentry, metalwork, mechanics and sewing, or to students wishing to work towards university degrees. The latter are given grants on the proviso that the scholars come back to Valle to do community development work for half their vacation. Some of these youths are already training others in their own communities.
Agriculture
World Vision carried out a detailed assessment of farming in Valle in 1998. The findings form the basis of a long-term plan for agricultural development there. Farmers learn modern farming techniques and the ADP encourages them to diversify their crops.
Income generation
The new farming methods learnt by farmers increase their harvests and give their families the opportunity to earn income from selling surplus produce. The ADP supports handicraft groups or other co-operatives with training in marketing and bookkeeping so that the members have the skills to establish small businesses. Many families have started poultry, pig and fish farming ventures with the support of World Vision.
Environment
The Valle district was once covered in forest, but indiscriminate firewood cutting and logging of forests has caused massive erosion. The ADP has established tree seedling nurseries and trains people to plant and care for seedlings. Children also take part in this, planting trees around their schools. To promote less use of firewood, the ADP has introduced low fuel, high output stoves. The new stoves use a third less wood, are safer to use and produce less smoke.
We will keep you updated on development progress in this community.
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