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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.