Project News

Only a little more than one year remains until the end of our Project. Based on the group results and experiences up to now, each group is currently studying what their future vision should be, especially what kind of organization they would like to become and what kind of activities they would like to continue. Their decisions are made into the group's "Action Plan", which will guide the group for several years from 2011.

The main elements of the "Action Plan" are first an explanatory phrase that concisely expresses the group's vision, followed by the plan for using the group farmland, the group's primary source of income, the method for using the group fund, and the necessary investments and implementation program for these activities. However, there are differences among the groups in their ability to reach a consensus of opinion. The Project facilitator's role is to help the group discussion by organizing the different opinions or opposite positions and to reach an adequate consensus, which everyone can agree upon.

Ms. Evelyn, in charge of participatory development (standing in the center), plays the role of facilitator in a discussion held at a group meetinghouse. (September 14, 2010, with the Madroñal group)

Ms. Ednadaliz, in charge of participatory development (right), facilitating the discussion by members of the cooperative. (September 14, 2010, with the Santa Librada group)

Male and females members of different ages express their opinions. (Same as left)

The members' opinions are put on cards and sorted out during the discussion. (Same as left)

The groups have presented a variety of visions, including "increase income to improve the quality of life", "promote tree planting inside and outside the community", "become messengers to teach environmental conservation to other inhabitants", "establish a micro-business", and "leave unpolluted rivers for our children".

The Project will continue giving the necessary support to connect these group visions to a concrete activity plan and, as much as possible, guarantee their implementation.

(Mr. Taku Mori, Farmland Use Plan / Environmental Education)