Newsletter May 2025

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A Commitment to Health in El Triunfo: The Laboratory They Longed For is Becoming a Reality!

At FUNDESUR, we believe that health should not be a privilege limited by geography or economic status. We firmly believe that everyone, no matter where they live, deserves timely, dignified, and quality medical care. Guided by this commitment, we are thrilled to announce a transformative project for the families of El Triunfo: the construction of a new Clinical Laboratory in the community of Nueva Concepción is underway.

This project is possible thanks to the signing of a vital cooperation agreement with the Choluteca Health Region, an alliance that showcases what can be achieved when different sectors unite for a common goal: improving the lives of those in greatest need.

For years, communities in this area have faced great challenges in accessing clinical laboratory services. Many patients had to travel long distances to the departmental capital or pay for private tests they couldn’t afford. This often delayed diagnoses and hindered the ability of the local health system to provide timely treatment.

Now, their reality will change.

The new laboratory will be equipped with modern technology and trained personnel to serve over 15,000 people, significantly improving the capacity of the local health center and the quality of life in the community.

Among the specialized services to be offered are:Clinical Biochemistry: for analyzing glucose, cholesterol, and liver function.Hematology: for blood tests that detect anemia, infections, and more complex disorders.Serology: essential for diagnosing infectious and autoimmune diseases.Urinalysis and Parasitology: critical for identifying urinary infections and parasitic diseases common in the region.

This laboratory doesn’t just bring diagnostics closer to patients—it builds a bridge to equity, prevention, and a more humane healthcare system. It is more than infrastructure: it is an investment in dignity, access, and the future.

We deeply thank all the allies who made this possible and reaffirm our commitment to continue working for a more just Honduras, where health is a guaranteed right for all.

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Our Commitment to Health Continues: Delivery of Medications to Vulnerable Communities

At FUNDESUR, health is not just a priority—it is a constant cause. We know that in many rural areas of Honduras, access to medical services and medications is scarce or non-existent, especially for families living in extreme poverty and isolation. That’s why we continue working tirelessly to close that gap.

We are pleased to share that we have completed the second quarterly delivery of medicines this year, aimed at supplying the 10 community health centers operated by FUNDESUR in remote areas of southern Honduras.

These centers are strategically located in hard-to-reach rural zones where public health services rarely arrive, and where a single pill can mean the difference between stability and emergency.

Thanks to the generosity of our partners and the dedication of our team, we delivered over L 258,000 worth of essential medications, carefully selected to meet the most frequent needs in these communities.

Included in this delivery:Analgesics – for relief of acute and chronic pain.Anti-inflammatory drugs – for treating inflammation and rheumatic conditions.

Cough suppressants – essential for treating respiratory infections.Antihypertensives – for controlling blood pressure in cardiovascular patients.

Anticonvulsants – vital for people with epilepsy and neurological conditions.Hypoglycemics – for diabetic patients without access to regular treatment. 

Beta-blockers and diuretics – crucial for managing heart conditions.

This delivery directly benefits over 10,000 people, many of whom cannot afford to purchase medications on their own. In these communities, access to medication often means the difference between working and being bedridden, between a controlled condition and a medical emergency.

With each delivery, we reaffirm that health is a right, not a privilege. We continue to build networks of solidarity that reach the most neglected corners.

We remain committed to the wellbeing of the most forgotten communities, bringing not just physical relief but also dignity, hope, and peace of mind.

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El Cedrito Celebrates Water: A Story of Dignity, Effort, and Transformation

For years, the community of El Cedrito, located in El Triunfo, lived under the shadow of a constant and urgent need: access to water. For the 42 families living there, obtaining this vital resource was not part of a daily routine—it was a struggle. A struggle marked by long walks under the scorching sun, along steep and difficult paths, with the hope of finding even just a few barrels of water to survive a few more days.

Mothers, often with young children in tow, walked for kilometers carrying buckets. Men interrupted their workdays to help fetch water. Children frequently missed school because there was simply no water available to bathe or prepare food. This harsh reality limited the community’s development and attacked its dignity.

But today, that story has changed.

With immense joy and deep pride, we at FUNDESUR are proud to share that water has finally arrived in El Cedrito, thanks to a valuable partnership with our sister organization, Living Water International. Together, we delivered a new water well that represents much more than an infrastructure project—it represents hope, health, recovered time, and a fairer future for this community.

The new well was built through a careful technical process, ensuring a safe and constant water flow. Now, water springs close to their homes, eliminating the need for long walks, reducing health risks, and giving back precious time to families—time that was once spent searching for water, and that can now be invested in education, work, rest, and community life.

Beyond improving quality of life, this direct access to clean and safe water reduces gastrointestinal illnesses, improves family hygiene, and strengthens nutrition by enabling food preparation under healthy conditions. It is no exaggeration to say that with every drop flowing from this well, so flows a renewed opportunity for a better life.

El Cedrito is finally celebrating.

Celebrating with dignity, with joy, and with the certainty that change is possible when there is will, commitment, and solidarity.

At FUNDESUR, we believe that access to water is not a luxury—it is a fundamental human right. And we will continue working with strategic partners to bring sustainable solutions to every forgotten corner of southern Honduras.

Because when water arrives, everything begins to flourish.

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Ciudad Mujer Choluteca: Four Years of Transforming Lives and Building Opportunities for Honduran Women

This month, FUNDESUR had the honor of joining Ciudad Mujer Choluteca in celebrating its fourth anniversary—an occasion that represents much more than the opening of an institutional building. It marks four years of tireless work, of fighting for women’s rights, of providing dignified, comprehensive, and humane care; four years of paving the way to new opportunities for thousands of Honduran women.

Located in the heart of southern Honduras, Ciudad Mujer Choluteca has become a model of care centered on women’s well-being, bringing together the work of multiple institutions to offer more than 70 free services in one place. These services span key areas such as health, education, economic empowerment, gender-based violence response, legal counseling, and more.

One of the most impactful areas of the center is, without a doubt, healthcare. Each month, Ciudad Mujer performs around 3,500 medical consultations—mostly benefiting women from rural communities who often find in this center their only access to a safe space of hope, trust, and professional medical care.

But the true value of Ciudad Mujer goes far beyond statistics. In every consultation, every workshop, every counseling session, there is a story of resilience, healing, and empowerment. It is a space that restores the voices of women who had been silenced for years. A space that offers tools to start again. A space where physical and emotional healing can finally begin.

At FUNDESUR, we have witnessed firsthand the real impact this center has had on the lives of hundreds of women, many of whom are part of the communities we serve. That is why we feel deeply honored to be partners in an initiative that strengthens the social fabric at its very roots—through women and their transformative power.

Joining this celebration is also a reaffirmation of our commitment to equity, justice, and human development. We know that a country that takes care of its women is a country that builds a better future.

On behalf of the entire FUNDESUR team, we extend our warmest congratulations to Ciudad Mujer Choluteca for four years of dedication, commitment, and excellence. May this be just one milestone in a long and determined journey toward a more just, inclusive, and humane Honduras for all.

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A New Step Toward Health Equity: FUNDESUR Receives Its Ninth Container of Medicines Thanks to MAP International

At FUNDESUR, we believe that access to healthcare should not depend on where you were born or your economic circumstances. That’s why every step we take to bring medicines and medical care closer to those who need it most is a source of hope, renewed commitment, and above all, tangible impact.

Today, we are deeply grateful to share that we have received our ninth container of medicines, thanks to our strong and ongoing partnership with MAP International—an allied organization that has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the well-being of Honduras' most vulnerable populations.

This container, valued at over USD 7 million, represents much more than numbers: it represents lives that will be relieved, illnesses that will be treated on time, and communities that will be able to live with greater dignity. The shipment includes essential medications such as analgesics, antibiotics, antivirals, multivitamins, antihypertensives, supplements, antiparasitics, and many other products that are part of the daily treatment of thousands of patients.

The distribution of this aid will directly support 25 healthcare facilities located strategically in areas where FUNDESUR has an active presence. Additionally, about 50 more health centers will benefit indirectly, expanding the reach of this delivery across six departments of the country: Choluteca, Valle, Francisco Morazán, El Paraíso, Olancho, and Copán.

The cumulative effect of this operation is expected to impact more than 80,000 people, many of whom live in rural or semi-urban communities where access to medicine is limited or non-existent—places where a single pill can mean the difference between stability and emergency.

This effort would not be possible without the trust and support of organizations like MAP International, who believe in the community health model we promote at FUNDESUR. Together, we share the vision of a more equitable Honduras, where health is a guaranteed right, not a privilege.

This ninth container is not an isolated achievement—it is part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the national healthcare network from the ground up, starting with the communities that have historically been overlooked. With every delivery, we reinforce our ability to respond to emergencies, support healthcare centers, reduce shortages, and provide real hope to those facing illness without resources.

From FUNDESUR, we reaffirm our commitment to continue working for a healthier, more just, and more humane Honduras. Because we are convinced that health transforms lives, and thanks to partnerships like this one, we are one step closer to making that transformation a reality.

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Llano Grande Moves Steadily Toward a Future with Safe and Sustainable Water

At FUNDESUR, we believe that access to clean drinking water is not a luxury—it is a fundamental right that transforms lives, especially in communities where this resource has historically been scarce. That is why sharing the progress of our water project in Llano Grande fills us not only with pride, but also with renewed commitment to sustainable development, community health, and human dignity.

After successfully completing the first of three project phases, we are proud to announce that we have now reached 60% completion of the water distribution network, a vital step that will allow water to flow directly into the homes of the community. This network is the lifeline of the system, designed to ensure equitable, safe, and consistent water distribution to every household.

But the progress doesn’t stop there.

At the same time, we have begun construction of the storage tank and pumping station—two essential infrastructures that will guarantee the technical operation of the system. These works will not only allow water to be stored under optimal conditions but will also regulate pressure and ensure efficient distribution. Both structures are expected to be completed within approximately two weeks, marking another major milestone in this ambitious project.

One of the most inspiring aspects of this initiative has been the exemplary commitment of the community. From day one, the people of Llano Grande have been actively involved in every phase of the project: digging trenches, assisting with logistics, safeguarding materials, and above all, believing in the possibility of a better future. This level of citizen participation has not only accelerated technical progress but has also strengthened a sense of ownership and long-term sustainability of the system.

As part of our long-term vision, we have also begun training sessions for the Water Management Committee, aimed at strengthening their technical and administrative capabilities. These sessions will equip the community with the knowledge needed to operate, maintain, and make key decisions about the water system once it becomes operational.

Additionally, we have launched an open and participatory information process for all community members. This space is designed to raise awareness about the responsible use of water, explain how the system works, and ensure transparency in its management—helping to secure its long-term success.

With each passing day, Llano Grande comes closer to achieving a profound and lasting transformation. A transformation measured not only in liters of clean water, but also in time regained, illnesses prevented, young girls able to attend school instead of carrying water, and families able to cook, clean, and live with dignity.

At FUNDESUR, we reaffirm that this is just the beginning. We will continue to stand by Llano Grande—and many other communities—on the path toward a country where water flows as it should: equitably, sustainably, and with hope.

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We Are Renovating the San Jerónimo Health Center: Because Health Also Begins with Dignified Spaces

Healthcare goes beyond doctors and medicine. To ensure a truly comprehensive response, it is essential to have dignified, functional, and safe spaces where people can receive care with confidence, and where health professionals can do their work under proper conditions.

With this vision in mind, FUNDESUR has launched a full renovation project for the San Jerónimo Health Center in the municipality of Namasigüe—a community that for years has faced serious structural barriers to accessing quality healthcare.

This center, which should be a refuge for those seeking relief, prevention, or treatment, had been operating under severely critical conditions: roofs infested with bat colonies caused bad odors, sanitary risks, and direct harm to staff and patients; cracked walls and deteriorated structures compromised the safety of the building; the lack of drinking water and functional bathrooms created unacceptable conditions for any health facility; an outdated and dangerous electrical system limited the use of medical equipment and posed ongoing hazards; a collapsed septic tank leaked and compromised hygiene and sanitation; damaged hydrosanitary installations hindered basic health services; and, as if that weren’t enough, the dental area lacked a restroom, affecting both staff and patients in need of dental care.

Faced with this situation, FUNDESUR did not hesitate to act. Thanks to the combined efforts of our team and the support of our partners, we have begun a comprehensive renovation, with an investment of L 400,000, to restore the center’s capacity to deliver safe, dignified, and effective healthcare.

The intervention includes a full roof replacement with pest control, repair of walls and structural elements, installation of a new potable water system, restoration of bathrooms, the septic tank, and the entire hydrosanitary network, rehabilitation of the electrical system, and the construction of a restroom module for the dental area.

Beyond the physical improvements, this project represents a firm declaration of principles: healthcare should not, and must not, be provided in precarious conditions. Every patient deserves to be treated in a clean, functional, and safe space. Every doctor and nurse deserves a proper work environment. And every community deserves to feel that their wellbeing matters.

At FUNDESUR, we are not only building infrastructure—we are building trust, dignity, and hope. This is just one more step in our commitment to ensure that living in good health becomes a reality for those who have historically been forgotten.

We will continue to share updates on the progress of this project, which will undoubtedly bring significant benefits to the people of San Jerónimo and surrounding areas. Because where there are dignified conditions, life and health flourish.

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FUNDESUR Joins the Fight Against Dengue: A Commitment to Prevention and Life

In Honduras, dengue continues to pose a serious threat to public health, especially in southern regions where climate conditions and limited infrastructure contribute to the proliferation of the mosquito vector. In this context, prevention is not merely a medical task—it is a shared community responsibility.

Aware of this challenge, FUNDESUR has actively responded to the request from the Choluteca Health Region, which called for support in intensifying vector control efforts as part of the “D-Day” campaigns, focused on eliminating breeding sites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

As part of our commitment to community health, we delivered 40 bottles of BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a highly effective bioinsecticide used to eliminate mosquito larvae in stagnant water sources. This donation represents a direct investment of L 40,000, aimed at preventing epidemic outbreaks in high-risk areas.

BTI is a powerful tool in dengue control strategies because it targets mosquito larvae selectively without harming other organisms, making it safe for both the environment and humans. Its application helps break the mosquito’s reproductive cycle, thereby reducing the risk of infection in affected communities.

The donated BTI will be distributed across communities in the department of Choluteca, where dengue cases tend to rise during the rainy season. In many of these areas, prevention is the only real line of defense due to limited access to healthcare and timely treatment.

At FUNDESUR, we believe that health is not only safeguarded in hospitals, but in every preventive action carried out hand-in-hand with our communities. Joining this cause means protecting the present and securing the future of thousands of families.

We thank the Choluteca Health Region for their trust in our work and reaffirm our commitment to continue collaborating in joint actions that save lives. Because prevention is also care—and together, we are building a healthier, more protected Honduras.

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Thank You for Planting Life: A Day of Health and Environmental Solidarity on Tree Day

This past May 30th, in celebration of Tree Day, FUNDESUR experienced a day filled with hope, commitment, and solidarity. Under the theme “Plants that Save Lives,” we carried out a beautiful activity in which each plant delivered represented much more than an environmental gesture—it symbolized an opportunity to bring health to those who need it most.

From early morning, dozens of people arrived at our designated spot with enthusiasm, eager to take home a plant in exchange for a voluntary donation. The result was truly inspiring: we raised L 14,155, funds that will be fully directed toward strengthening our medical care program for low-income families.

At FUNDESUR, we believe that every action, no matter how small it may seem, can have a significant impact when done with purpose. This activity proved exactly that. Each plant found not only a new home where it can grow and thrive, but also became a symbol of hope for people who face daily obstacles in accessing dignified healthcare services.

Trees and plants have the power to transform their surroundings: they purify the air, provide shade, preserve biodiversity, and beautify spaces. But on this occasion, they also became tools of solidarity—capable of sowing well-being in bodies, minds, and hearts.

We deeply thank every person who joined this initiative: those who made a donation, those who took a plant home, those who shared our message, or even those who simply stopped by to learn more. Every action matters, every voice counts.

At FUNDESUR, we reaffirm our dual commitment: to both the planet and the people. We know that health and the environment go hand in hand, and that’s why we will continue promoting activities that foster a greener, healthier, and more compassionate Honduras.

Thank you for planting life with us. May each plant grow—as do the opportunities we are building together.