SHI participant farmer José Antonio Lopez (photo, right) was born and raised in the community of Carrizalito, Honduras. He is 44 years old and lives with his wife, Maria Luisa Cabrera, of 24 years and they have five children together. While José only made it through second grade, and his wife through fifth grade, they are proud that their older children have finished primary school and their oldest daughter has become a teacher. 

In his own words, José says:

The arrival of SHI-Honduras to our community has opened up many opportunities that we never thought possible, such as a vegetable garden. I am learning how to cultivate the vegetables organically to improve my family's nutrition and also earn some income from the sale of excess harvest. We made $40 extra at a time of great need.

In addition, I now have a wood-conserving stove that improves my family's health and uses less firewood. I also constructed a cement cistern and drip irrigation system that makes better use of water.  All the training that SHI-Honduras Field Trainers have offered has taught me to improve my vegetable production, such as applying bocashi and natural pesticides to my crops. I don't practice slash and burn farming anymore because I am convinced that if I do, I will destroy the life of my soil and the security of being able to count on enough food for my family.

I feel grateful to SHI-Honduras for all the help that they have given me, since it is the first organization to come to our community to teach techniques on how to conserve the environment and protect our land."

How can you help? Give a Wood Conserving Stove Gift of Hope to your friends and family!