1.0World Vision Advocacyhttps://www.worldvisionadvocacy.orgLena Peacockhttps://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/author/lcampbellworldvision-org/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bfdMfLUSDf"><a href="https://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/2021/08/03/central-america-development/ca_blog-1/">CA_blog-1</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/2021/08/03/central-america-development/ca_blog-1/embed/#?secret=bfdMfLUSDf" width="600" height="338" title="“CA_blog-1” — World Vision Advocacy" data-secret="bfdMfLUSDf" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); /* ]]> */ </script> https://www.worldvisionadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/CA_blog-1.jpg1200801Fatima holds her youngest of four children, 1-year-old Liza. Summary: Near Gracias in western Honduras, World Vision supports the Fountain of Life Savings Group, now 48 members strong. The group began in 2003 with 18 people. The success of the project has attracted 30 new members, who watched as it grew from a savings group worth $8,000 to $26,000. Members farm the land owned by Jose Gustavo Benitez Benitez, the group secretary. Jose Gustavo inherited the land from his father. He gets offers to sell it, but wants to preserve peace in this community and give other farmers the opportunity for prosperity. World Vision has assisted the group with a water system, seed varieties, and through sponsorship. The group is now looking for better access to market, which will come through the GEO Project. They are experiencing a time of growth as each member is being asked to bring in a new savings group member—a youth to mentor. The young person they choose will acquire their savings, upon the older member’s death—and all of their debt. This innovative plan will double the size of the group and ensure sustainability through reaching out to youth. Marvin Cortez, 26, considered leaving the community, even riding ‘The Beast’ north, to find opportunity. A picture of strawberries growing in California enticed him—plump, ripe berries, stretching in rows to the horizon. In Central America, people pay “coyotes,” a network of human smugglers, upward of $3,000 to escort them across the border. Some people make it. Many do not. But Marvin stayed, for two reasons. First, he found work alongside Jose Gustavo, caring for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, corn, and coffee. Working together, using the latest farming techniques, and being part of the savings group gives Marvin the income he needs to support his family. Child sponsors from the United States helped the family secure shelter after they suffered a major medical setback. Marvin nearly lost his daughter, Lesly, to He