Moving Honduras Forward – with Mentors

We have received a few e-mails at HTW recently that sparked my interest. They are from Liz Riggs, an ex-pat here in Honduras championing, among other things, the idea of empowering Hondurans with knowledge and skills while easing visa/residency restrictions for those who desire to live, work, retire here or simply give back of their time and experience. Full Article By Todd Ellertson

Commission of Support Arrives in Honduras

Human development advocates recently made their way to Honduras, where they were welcomed with open arms. Bridge of Peace, Inc., a U.S. charitable organization, has a presence in the San Marcos de Colon and Guajiquiro regions of the country. Full Article By Andres Avila

Honduras not worst case scenario

Pavel Pardo scored twice and Mexico used their best offensive tactics to beat Honduras Wednesday night as the semifinal round of World Cup qualifying began in the North and Central American and Caribbean region qualifying. Full Article

The Unpredictable Consequences of ALBA

Members of the National Congress of Honduras have been watching the developments surrounding ALBA with wary, skeptical eyes. According to article 205 of the Constitution, an agreement such as ALBA must be ratified by the majority of the National Congress. The nationalists, so far, have not voted for the ratification of ALBA and the liberals are divided in their opinions. Full Article By Antonio Martin

Current CAFTA-DR Numbers a Mixed Bag; Fuel Costs Involved

According to U.S. authorities based in Tegucigalpa, the Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Central America and the Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) is reason for Hondurans to be optimistic about better exportation balance. CAFTA-DR began in force in Honduras on April 1, 2006. Full Article By Alvaro Morales Molina

Several thousand Salvadoran tourists visited Honduras’ tourist destinations, including Tegucigalpa, the North Coast (the Honduran Caribbean) and Copan, for the annual ‘Vacaciones Agostinas’ as they are known in Central America. 2008 surpassed, by 22 percent, the number of visitors of 2007. Full Article

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST

This is a Canadian slogan or maybe I first heard it from a Canadian. The message is obvious, if you cannot take a rest, change something and trick your mind and body into feeling good. I just went in and boldly changed the colors on my Palm day-to-day / telephone /camera / thingy and what a difference it made. I feel young again and I seem to be getting better mileage with my car. Challenge yourself: go in and change that old password for your e-mail; risky but so very exciting. Full Article Don Pearly

From the looks of it, next week Honduras will sign on to become a full fledged, card carryin’ member of the Venezuelan economic cooperation agreement, commonly known ‘round these parts as ALBA. Voices for and against Honduras’ participation are being flipped around in the media like pancakes hot off the griddle, although on the streets of Copan there is the distinct thud of utter silence, both in terms of pro or anti ALBA sentiment.Full Article By Howard Rosensweig

WOMEN IN THE ARTS - Mujeres en las Artes. One of the strongest artistic movements in Tegucigalpa. Mujeres en la Artes Leticia de Oyuela constantly sponsors workshops, exhibitions, conferences, art shows and community events in the city. For the complete schedule, log on to www.muaartes.org.hn or contact Veronica Romero at 222 3015. Full Article

Honduras Still Supports Investment, But for How Long?

Alexander Sanné/ Honduras This Week

According to FIDE, a non-profit organization that aims to promote and evolve the business climate in the country, Honduras is one of the major suppliers of apparel articles to the United States, ranked number one in Central America and the Caribbean and third overall globally. This is due in part to the current myriad of laws and legislation offering business protection and promotion and geographic advantages that the country is developing and propounding. Full Article By Alexander Sanné

Permanent Reservoir Plan Implemented in South Honduras

www.google.com

Drought problems that annually plague regions of south Honduras have prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to begin a reservoir construction project in several rural communities in the departments of Choluteca, Valle and southern Francisco Morazan. The large-scale initiative also includes the construction of irrigation systems, using a low-cost ‘drip method.’ Full Article By Álvaro Morales Molina

Digicel Throws Its Hat into the Honduran Telecommunications Ring

Mario Gutiérrez/Honduras This Week
Digicel Honduras President Miguel Garcia will head the third major cellphone carrier in Honduras.

Digicel, the fastest growing telecommunication operator in the Caribbean, sees huge potential in the Honduran market. In December 2007, Digicel's sister company Central America Holdings Limited, secured the license to operate a GSM mobile network in Honduras by paying an unheard price of $80 million, after a competitive bid. “We feel it is an opportunity in Honduras to bring in a low cost network, to provide more extensive coverage, and we think there is still a lot of growth potential in the region,” explains Miguel Garcia, the President of Digicel Honduras. Full Article By Caroline Johansen

Honduran Youth Gunned Down by Police in Montreal, Canada

Graphic Design Santos Ortiz/ Honduras This Week

On Saturday August 9, Freddy Alberto Villanueva, an 18 year old Honduran, was mortally wounded by police bullets. Accounts of the event suggest that between four and ten gun shots were fired. Another 18 year old and 20 year old man were also wounded in the confrontation. Full Article By Emma Lovegrove