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Meet the local nonprofit using the internet and radio to connect rural communities, promote online employment and foster sustainable agriculture practice.
Who Are They?
RDS Honduras is run by a team of local IT experts and development professionals united in their passion to use technology and communication to improve livelihoods in rural Honduras. Through the internet, radio and in person workshops, beneficiaries are empowered to develop sustainable agricultural practices and use technology to access online learning and employment opportunities.
"Working directly with communities means we can create more durable programs".
"We design each park to fit the unique needs of every community".
Why is their work so important?
SOCIAL DIVISION
60% of Hondurans live in poverty and 23% of children experience stunting, a decrease in height associated with malnutrition.
TECHNOLOGY ACCESS
Only 32% of Hondurans currently have access to the internet, and far less in rural areas.
INDIGENOUS
The indigenous Lenca, which RDS support, are largely subsistent, with little opportunity for economic growth in remote rural areas.
Explore this Nonprofits amazing work first-hand.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
What do they do?
RDS Honduras use radio and internet programs to promote sustainable agriculture and improved nutrition in remote communities, as well as help indigenous women access online learning and employment.
San Radio
In collaboration with local community members, RDS Honduras created San Radio, a series of radio workshops promoting sustainable and efficient agricultural practice. A 12-week cycle of Radio programs are supported by in-person workshops at 6 community centres, as well as the provision of new irrigation equipment. Over 300 local men and women participate across 6 communities, tuning into San Radio each week to develop new skills. In addition to improving crop-yield, crop variety and nutrition, programs are designed to subtly tackle local gender roles, encouraging men to play a more active role in nutrition and, by extension, cooking.
Wifi Hotspots and Online Employment
In partnership with google, RDS Honduras provide free internet hotspots in remote indigenous communities. They currently offer 400 families free access to the internet and have built solar-powered computer labs in two communities. Local volunteers are trained to maintain the computer lab, and monthly workshops are run by facilitators who train local women. By focusing on women and children, facilitators hope to encourage opportunities for employment, as well as encourage the dissemination of knowledge to their children who they hope might become some of the first indigenous Lenca university graduates.
What do locals think?
Victor,
RDS Project Coordinator
"Seeing the impact of simply diversifying crops has been amazing."
Indigenous radio presenter
Rural Honduras
"It's been a lot to learn, but it feels good to have a voice in the community"
Raymond
Local Farmer
"The new water pump has made farming so much easier during the dry season"
