ACORN International In. Honduras

Report, April 11th, 2011

From Luis Martínez, San Pedro Sula April 30th, 2011

During the month of April, a number of activities have been carried out with the objectives of increasing ACORN’s membership as well as following up on the proposal for policy change on remittance transfers. As well as this, ACORN continues to establish relationships with related organizations, and being present on the struggle for water in San Pedro Sula and against the privatization of natural resources in the region of Valle de Sula. Thus, there have been 1040 cold calls, 4 second visits in the city of San Pedro Sula and 2 rapid actions in the parishes of San Pedro Sula and El Progreso, throughout this month.

Activities:

a) Socialization and incorporation of new members in San Pedro Sula.

b) Socialization and incorporation of new members in El Progreso.

c) Socialization and incorporation of new members in Villanueva. 

a) Socialization and incorporation of new members in San Pedro Sula. 

Following the already established relations and as the product of the work done since last year, it was possible to do 560 cold calls and one rapid action, adding 10 new members to ACORN. These members expect to carry out social movements to direct pressure towards Aguas de San Pedro ASP, which has had the monopoly of the water and sewer system services since 2001.

The main demand of the population of this marginalized area of town is the improvement in the quality of service of drinking water, reason for which they decided to become part of ACORN so as to take action together against ASP.

Within this framework, there have been a number of meetings and a forum during the month of April to inform and bring awareness to the community regarding the current issues at stake and the actions to be taken.

b) Socialization and incorporation of new members in El Progreso. 

Continuing with the organizational work started last year by members of ACORN in this city, it was possible to do 240 cold calls and one rapid action, incorporating 4 new members to ACORN. As with Comunidad 6 de Mayo, these members expect to put pressure on the municipal management of the city as they have been victims of random increases in their taxes.

The main claim of the population here continues to be the arbitrary increases on taxes and a better provision of municipal services. It is worth mentioning that there has been a second Assembly with community leaders of the municipality to generate joint actions and incorporate them to our organization, reaching agreement in the forms of pressure to demand their vindication.

c) Socialization and incorporation of new members in Villa Nueva.

The process of community organizing has been started in the municipality of Villanueva, located 30 km south of San Pedro Sula. This organizational process is the product of visits done to 240 homes in the ‘colonia’ Villas del Rio, having brought awareness about the need to demand no raises in the price of drinking water service.

The result of these actions was the incorporation of 3 new members, creating a stronger and more solid ‘social base’ in this community, who will work together with social organizations of the town.

Table of Activities

Month of April

Summary of Organized Members