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Progress Report for Potpourrii: Flowers and Employment for Single Mothers
Written to The First Parish in Lincoln by Catherine Gauthier, Virtual Foundation Latin American Program Director, June 4, 2001
I am writing to provide you with an update about the Central American
projects supported by The First Parish in Lincoln . I just
received a message from Celeste, the young lady in charge of the Pot Pourri
project near Tegucigalpa (capital of Honduras), and she's telling me about
the successes achieved to date. The project was initiated several weeks ago
in the village of Valle de Angeles (Valley of the Angels), a very typical
and traditional village in the mountains surrounding the capital. Very quiet
during the week, this village attracts capitalinos (people from the capital)
and some tourists during weekends because of its peacefulness and the beauty
of its well-preserved traditional houses and streets. The climate is cool and an
abundance and wide variety of flowers grow there. A group of women from the
surroundings has already been trained in plant gathering and pot pourri
confection. They have already produced several packages that were sold at
the market in downtown Tegucigalpa. The group was extremely satisfied with
these first sales and with the support obtained from several stores in Valle
de Angeles; eight stores will carry their crafts. They are currently buying more
material to start production during the month of June and will continue to
receive training in management for their micro-business. Celeste is very
proud of the group and mentions that the proximity of the location to her
house will help her to provide support in a continuous manner. She would
like to thank all of you for your support.