Community Development

The Community Development program is a way for a community in our valley and a sponsoring group of North Americans to form a longer-term relationship that can make the most of all our programs. Most mission teams work in the same village for a two or three year period. However, in addition to simply working and visiting once a year, each team is provided the opportunity to formally partner with that village. This means that the team agrees to sign a partnership agreement stating that they will help the village during the year through a financial commitment of $2000 per year for a two-year commitment. This commitment provides the village training in problem solving, teamwork, and planning. It addresses needs in village infrastructure, education, health and hygiene, agriculture and entrepreneurial development. It encourages and assists the spiritual development of both residents and visitors. This formal partnership also provides training by the HOI nutritionist in proper methods to cultivate and grow family and school gardens. It also provides formal training and school supplies for the volunteer kindergarten teacher in the village. HOI conducts over 130 community development meetings annually. In 2008, 50 villages began stage 2 in the community development program; 411 new family gardens were started; 20 kindergartens received new gardens; 75 latrines were built; 215 homes were improved or extended through room additions; 104 chimneys were installed; 328 cement floors were poured in existing homes; 140 water connections were completed; 168 saplings were planted; 1 village received a new drainage system and 634m of pipe were connected for a water distribution system in another village, and 2 wells were completed.