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Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Almost 75 percent of its rural population live in poverty, and nine out of ten rural households headed by women are affected by poverty.

Emilio Rodríguez has three children, ranging in age from 13 to 21. Proderco has taught Emilio’s 15-year-old son carpentry skills. He and his wife, Elsa Madariaga, share the daily work.

A rural development project in Honduras has shown that people’s participation is key to success. See, hear and read about the project.

David Casco is back in business. While the Honduran farmer lost most of his drop to Hurricane Mitch , it did not dampen his entrepreneurial spirit. It didn't take long before he began to rebuild his seven-hectare farm, planting vegetables and other crops for market.

Ana María Cárcamo turns on her tap to fill the bucket below. Located a few feet from her front door, her primary source of water is much closer than it was three years ago. "Before the project, we had to haul water," says Cárcamo, "we had to carry it a long way on our heads."

Ana and Virginia consider themselves sisters. They do not share the same parents, but they are fighting the same disease and are united in their determination to stay healthy for as long as possible. Their bond runs even deeper – both young women got HIV from their partners and then unknowingly passed it on to their daughters.