Harvesting La Milpa Delegation/65 th Anniversary of  Radio Progreso.

                                                          Dec 9th-18th, 2021

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 INVITATION from Fr Melo to the 65th Anniversary of Radio Progreso: 

           INVITACIÓN AL 65 ANIVERSARIO DE RADIO PROGRESO

18 de agosto de 2021
Muy queridas Hermanas y Hermanos de la Fundación SHARE y Vamos a La Milpa,
Energized and strengthened by the “Vamos a la Milpa Delegation” this past July, we are pleased to extend a formal invitation to you and all friends of the people of Honduras to join with us in the festivities marking the 65th anniversary of the foundation of Radio Progreso.
The celebrations will be December 12th to 18th, in Progreso, Honduras, with the main activity on December 17th, 2021. 
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Frequently Asked Questions

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​1. What is Vamos a la Milpa?

 In Honduras, the “Milpa” consists of corn, beans, squash, fruit trees and more. We will work together to help families start growing their own food in small parcels through sustainable practices.  But the Milpa is more than food. 
           La Milpa is solidarity: La Milpa seeks to strengthen community and foster unity – the land, the water, and the people are bound together in hope.
           La Milpa is political: La Milpa promotes equity and harmony with the environment and sovereignty. 
           La Milpa is life: La Milpa is rooted in creation, nourishing with encouragement and love.  

2.   What are the objectives of Harvesting La Milpa Delegation? 

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• To be in solidarity with La Milpa: Responding to the invitation of our sisters and brothers in Honduras for accompaniment we are going to be walking with them as they harvest the Milpa. 
  To accompany human and environmental rights defenders as they continue their work under pressure and threat. We will visit with the Guapinol 8 environmentalists and their families.
  To celebrate with radio Progreso 65 years of walking with the people being La Voz que está con Vos. The Radio is Presente with organized communities as they struggle for a better future.
  To return to the U.S. and plant a Milpa with seeds of solidarity. Each delegate will become a promoter of solidarity with the Honduran people and the Milpa, including organizing presentations to share their story, asking their representatives to sign the bill in Congress, and raising funds for La Milpa.​ 

​3. Who is the sponsoring organization?

Vamos a la Milpa is a project of the SHARE Foundation (www.share-elsalvador.org), who is sponsoring this delegation. In Honduras, we will be hosted by Radio Progreso/ERIC, a Jesuit center for reflection, research, and communications that have a leading advocate for democracy and human rights in Honduras, www.eric-sj.org
SHARE has 40 years’ experience organizing delegations to El Salvador and Honduras and has sent over 10,000 delegates.

4. What are the dates of the delegation?

December 9th to 18th, 2021 Arriving in San Pedro Sula Airport NOT Tegucigalpa. 

5. Can I participate in the delegation virtually?

Yes, you can join the Virtual Harvesting La Milpa Delegation. You will travel with the delegation via zoom, FaceBook life, Instagram, and emails.

​6. What is the cost of this delegation?

Approximately $950. This includes all housing, food, translation, partner honoraria, and in-country transportation. It does NOT include round-trip airfare from your home to Honduras.
1st payment of $100 is due October 1st, this is a nonrefundable fee
2nd payment of $850 is due November 14th.
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To pay, make out your check to the SHARE Foundation, memo line- “Harvesting LaMilpa Delegation” and send to SHARE, 2425 College Ave., Berkeley 94704.   (Checks are preferred- no fees); or online with a 3% fee at the SHARE website:  www.share-elsalvador.org

There is limited financial aid available on a need basis.  We have many suggestions of how you can fundraise for this trip. No one should be left behind for lack of funds. 

7.  Where will we stay?

Our program begins and ends in the northern town of El Progreso about an hour from San Pedro Sula, where we will be hosted at the Sisters of Notre Dame Retreat House in simple, comfortable clean rooms. Meals are simple and healthy, and we will have access to purified water at all times. 

8. What is the Itinerary for the Honduras portion of the delegation?

Arriving on December 11th to San Pedro Sula during the day time; visit urban and rural Milpas and help with the harvesting; visit with the Guapinol 8 environmentalist and their families; participate on the 65th anniversary celebration of Radio Progreso; other meetings according to interest of delegates; evaluation and commitments; and departing on December 18th. 

​9. Who should come on this program?

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• People interested in supporting food sovereignty.
  
• Interfaith religious leaders and activists who care about human rights.
  
• People working with the immigrant community
  
• Elected officials and or their aides.
  
• Journalists and people working in the media
  
• Artist and cultural workers.
  
• Youth, women and people of color are particularly encouraged to apply.
  

​10. Are there concerns about safety?

Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the region. Our itinerary is developed in close collaboration with Honduran partners, who are aware of risks and mindful to reduce them in every possible way. We will be lodged in secure locations; being part of a group provides some safety. We will not participate in demonstrations or knowingly enter situations that would put us at risk.  This will be SHARE’s fourth delegation to Honduras in recent years and we have observed all safety protocols and have not had any incidents. 
 Nevertheless, it is important to know that Honduras has high levels of crime, gang activity, and state-sanctioned repression. This is part of the daily reality lived by Hondurans and contributes heavily to the continuous flow of people who can no longer live safely at home and who seek asylum elsewhere, including in the United States. This delegation is one of accompaniment, and we encourage participants to consider both the risks and the rewards of this form of activism. 
If people are still very concerned about safety, they should not go and join the virtual delegation
Please check and follow the US Travel Advisories travel.state.gov

1​1. What is the Covid 19 protocol to travel?

​​We will follow strict US and Honduras Covid 19 travel protocol; delegates must have a Negative Covid test and have been vaccinated. In country we will follow strict safety guidelines such as using mask, washing hands, keeping distance among delegates and with our hosts, etc. We will stay up to date with regulations before the trip. Delegates with compromised health will be advised to not travel and be a support person for the delegation before and during the delegation. We traveled this past July to Honduras with 24 delegates and practiced successfully and returned with no incidents.

12. Do I need a passport or a visa to travel to Honduras?

​A valid passport with an expiration date no less than 6 months from departure date to Honduras is necessary for travel.  U.S. citizens do not need a visa.

​13. Do I need to speak Spanish?

Spanish is not necessary for participation.  Interpretation will always be provided. 

14. Do I have to be in good shape physically?

The delegation may visit communities that need a 20 minute walk in the sun. ​

 15.  Are there any cultural issues or group norms that I need to be aware of? Yes:

​1. Wearing modest clothing is most appropriate.  Women in Honduras don't really wear shorts.  Skirts and capris and long pants work best.  Men do often wear longer shorts.
2. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the retreat houses we stay in, and it is not appropriate to be drinking in the context of so much suffering in the communities we visit.
3. It is possible that particular people may approach you personally for financial help of some kind.  Please know that we offer some support to every community we visit, organization to organization, which is the best way to be in solidarity.  We ask you not to give any person-to-person financial assistance if approached.

16. ​What are the expectations for preparation and follow-up for this trip?

Some weeks before the program begins, you’ll be asked to engage with study materials that will help you understand the people and places we will visit, as well as the long history of US intervention in Honduras. On your return home, we hope you will find many ways to share your experience and what you’ve learned with your community and engage with your local Congress members. We will support you with ideas and resources for action and advocacy. Those with skills will be asked to organize presentations, blog, write and contact the media.  Delegates in certain areas of the U.S. will be invited to host a delegation from Honduras in the future. 
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​17. There will be Preparatory Calls for Delegates:

Zoom every  first Thursday of the months of October, November and December at 4 pm PST.

18. I cannot go; how can I help?​

We invite you to support La Milpa by volunteering promote the organizing of the Harvesting Milpa Delegation; help educate the community about Honduras; donating to SHARE/Vamos a la Milpa. 

Mark Coplan, Honduras La Milpa Delegation, July 2021.

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