In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Honduras, which primarily relies on agriculture, livestock, and processing industries, continues to face a shortage of jobs. Despite some improvements, employment opportunities remain scarce, and wages are often exploitative -- this makes life difficult for the already impoverished population of this Central American country.
Cultivate with Love
In 2020, Honduras faced further adversity with the impact of Hurricane Eta and Hurricane Laura. Volunteers rallied to aid San Jose village and launched a long-term recovery plan. The positive response from the community led to the establishment of the "Great Love Farm," a project aimed at enabling local volunteers and struggling families to achieve food self-sufficiency.
Facing challenges such as securing land and machinery, volunteers received support from a local church; it generously provided free access to a vast area of land. Although manpower for well-digging was readily available, the scarcity of a suitable plowing machine delayed the cultivation process. Determined to overcome this obstacle, volunteers decided to plow the land manually.
Fortunately, in July 2023, a volunteer's friend brought a plowing machine, helping to speed up preparation of the land. With the expanded farm area, volunteers organized cultivation teams, carefully selecting economically viable crops and seeking guidance from charitable organizations that specialize in farming. This organized and professional approach aimed to address the issue of unemployment by providing meaningful work and income opportunities to those facing economic difficulties.
Before tending to the crops, Tzu Chi volunteer Lin Jing-ru (林靜茹) led everyone in reciting the "Weeding Verse," which emphasizes compassion and love for all living beings. This practice aims to infuse positive energy into the cultivation process. Carmen and Miguel, two volunteers, were assigned the task of sharing reflective thoughts with the cultivation teams during the morning and afternoon sessions.
Inspired by Tzu Chi's principles, local volunteers took special care to avoid disturbing large trees during plowing; they recognized the importance of preserving nature. Their compassion extends beyond humanity, embracing all living things. As the volunteers share thoughtful words with the seeds daily, the Great Love Farm has become a testament to their kindness, nurturing both crops and the land.
Self-help and Hard Work
On August 23, experts from the non-governmental organization Caritas visited the farm with Tzu Chi volunteers and offered valuable insights. With a month of dedicated cultivation, the farm began to show promising results, with flourishing greenery. Guided by the experts, volunteers diligently irrigated the crops, expressing love and sharing reflective thoughts. They anticipate a bountiful harvest to alleviate hunger for many.
In addition to cultivating the land, local volunteers also participated in study sessions on Tzu Chi's philosophy and its connection to Buddhism. In accordance with the Foundation’s activities in Taiwan, they also rehearsed a sutra adaptation performance, "Passing on The Dharma of Infinite Meanings." Through these activities, they embraced the spirit of Tzu Chi monastics who live by the motto "No work, no meal" – they realize the significance of being self-sufficient and working hard for sustenance.
Reflecting the proverb "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime," volunteers actively sought agricultural land in different communities for long-term assistance. During a visit to Brisas Del Carmen, they saw orderly small plots cultivated by teachers and students at Brisas Elementary School, which showed the fruitful outcome of their labor. Collaborating with local volunteers and caregivers in Pimiental, the team discussed future plans for the community.
Given the limited number of Chinese residents in Honduras, Tzu Chi volunteers aim to recruit more local participants and collaborate on community land projects in the northern region. In addition to promoting community farmland initiatives, Tzu Chi hopes to empower locals through sewing courses and provide vocational training for care recipients and economically disadvantaged volunteers, so that they can acquire valuable skills and become economically self-sufficient.
The volunteers embody Tzu Chi's wisdom in benefiting the poor, and their compassion resonates with all beings. As they fervently pray for the mitigation of natural disasters and human suffering, their aspiration is to guide kind-hearted individuals out of adversity and towards a life of peace and prosperity.
2023/11/16 | Lin Jing-ru, Zhu Xiu-lian, Chang Xin-yi | Central America Report
