One of the most remarkable things about our partners is their ability to adapt to constantly changing political, economic, environmental, and social conditions. This year has been a perfect example of that.
While we, in the west, have enjoyed an unprecedented time of peace and security, our news cycles are starting to highlight how unstable that peace is. I know I am not the only one who feels concerned about what the future looks like closer to home. I think we can learn from our partners who have weathered considerable instability over the years.
For the past 30 years, our partners in Honduras, Burkina Faso, and Nepal have experienced numerous regime changes through coups, rebellions, and civil wars. Yet, when we ask them how this will affect their work, they remain cautiously optimistic and prepared to adapt if necessary.
Currently in Burkina Faso, the multiple coups in 2022 as well as the on-going fighting between the military junta and jihadists, has meant that the populations of entire communities that our partner APDC used to support have had to flee their homes and are now internally displaced with no government support. Rather than abandoning the communities because the conditions changed, APDC staff have shifted from supporting
crop production and sheep fattening enterprises, to training beneficiaries in setting up peanut processing enterprises as a way of income generation.
This September in Nepal, student protesters stormed government buildings forcing a regime change. The country was shut down for many days; however our new partner in Nepal, BBP Pariwar, continued providing training sessions in animal husbandry, shelter construction, composting, and biofertilizer processing for female farmers. The thinking is that no matter who is in power, these skills are essential to enhance sustainable
agricultural productivity and environmental resilience.
Meanwhile, Honduras was heading into a general election at the end of November with growing tensions and political polarization. Powerful gangs, international political interference, assassinations, and drug money are complicating an already fragile country. Our partner, Vecinos Honduras, is more determined than ever to ensure that the communities they support are able to feed their families, whatever the future may hold. In
order to achieve that goal, it means strengthening community organizations, farmers banding together to save seeds, mothers collaborating to grow healthy food for their children, and communities working together for their future. Vecinos Honduras supports all of these initiatives in a variety of ways.
There is hope and resilience as our partners implement all these varied and important activities. The fact that they continue to operate over the past few decades speaks to their ability to overcome adversity. I hope you will continue to support them in their endeavours in the new year.
Please send us your donation today by cheque, e-transfer or online. We also accept stock transfers.
Thank you and hoping you have a wonderful 2026.
Sincerely,
Gabe Newman,
Director (Volunteer)