Practicing democracy in El Salvador
“.. As a leader I feel so happy because I am in in good relationship with many people and we are united to achieve our goals.…. We used to fear to speak out. Now, thank God, organizing taught us to…
Changing lives in Haiti
“When Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Marie hit, we did not lose hope. When cholera struck, we helped our neighbors. When government is not there for a big crisis or daily needs, we figure out what we can do for ourselves.…
Health care in Rusumo, Rwanda
“I learned about PICO through John R. He came up to me and asked me what kind of problems were the people in Rusumo facing. We talked for a long time. He asked me about what was the most pressing…
Pepper Cooperative in Mont Organise, Haiti
“Before we started the pepper cooperative we had to travel very far to other towns to buy peppers. Now people can buy peppers directly from us. The project also improves people’s economic capacity. They have some money in their pockets…
Roads in Usulutan, El Salvador
"I am Antonio López. I am an Anglican Priest. I live in the Cristo Rey Parish and I also work in the Santiago de Jerusalén Mission in Jiquilisco, Usulután. Three years ago we started working with the COFOA in these…
Capotille farmers are committed to restart cooperative in face of devastation by Hurricane Irma
Widespread flooding from Hurricane Irma resulted in even more economic hardship for thousands of families across Haiti’s Northeast District. Cultivating small agricultural plots and making charcoal, the main sources of income for subsistence farmers and local residents, was severely damaged…
Nyange leaders are constructing storage shelter for roofing tile enterprise
Nyange leaders have begun construction of a shelter to house their roofing tile equipment and the tiles they are producing. After negotiating with government officials to secure land and timber to construct the shelter, leaders are working in partnership with…
COFOA leaders pack government offices to press officials for property deeds valued at $1.4 million
Thousands of people were resettled by the Salvadoran government on land that was made available after the war. Many never received clear title to their property. Most efforts to ask for help have been met with government delays and excuses. …
Land is cleared for a new elementary school in a community trained by Mumeya leaders
The Mayor of Kirehe was so impressed with the work of Mumeya leaders, he asked them to train grassroots leadership in 30 other communities in the district. Ezra, Specioza, and Poline began training leaders from Gasarabwayi a village near the…
Jiquilisco leaders win $1 million to complete road construction to Puerto Avalos
With a vision to develop their ocean beach community as a tourist attraction, COFOA leaders from Puerto Avalos pressed Mayor Barahona of Jiquilisco to complete paving the road between the two towns. COFOA leaders had already organized funds and labor…