We are proud to report that in the 9 years of our programs in Central America, SHI has grown to support more than 900 families in 90 communities! It hasn't been easy, but we know our hard work pays off with each story of success we hear, each tree planted, each garden grown and each community united in supporting themselves and their environment.

We want to share some of these stories and words of thanks from the 900 families with YOU, the people making our programs possible. Below are some recent letters from farmers working with SHI's programs in the Mayan communities of southern Belize. Our local Belizean staff and the families they serve are proud of their success. You can see photos and read bios from our Belizean extensionists at our website at: http://www.sustainableharvest.org/staff_belize.cfm

August 24, 2006

SHI is a organization that hear the voice of the people and tries their best to assist with what they could. At first I didn't know about SHI but as the days went by I was involved and trained on how to plant seed and seedlings. This organization is one of the best organizations because it usually deals with organic planting and gives us coffee seedlings, cocoa seedling, avocado seed etc. when we ask them. When these crops produce fruits we sell to customers and earn some money. This is one reason why I say that SHI really helps us. We would like to see more development in the near future if this program continues to receive funds.

Santiago Kuk
Aguacate Village

August 22, 2006

I, Francisco Chub of Laguna village, send a special thanks to project SHI. SHI works and is helping the farmers as I, Francisco Chub, one of the participants request plants and seed from SHI and they give me. I receive different plants like coconut, cashew, soursop, allspice and sour orange seed. They also helped me with chickens and teach different techniques. All these plants and training I get and apply them in my farm. I hope this project would never end and continues to help the poor ones like me. I am glad that project SHI is in Toledo and I thank Mr. Candido, Kenny Cal and rest of the S.H.I staff members for the their hard work. I hope SHI will continue the hard work for us.

Thanks to you all,
Francisco Chub
Laguna Village

July 28, 2006

I live in Mafridi Village and I am one of the participants of SHI. I find it to be very helpful over the years that I have been working with them. I receive full support with almost everything concerning seeds and the rearing of chickens. This indeed is a very great help for me. Presently Mr. Juan Cho has started working with SHI and is proven to be very interested and hard working for this program. I think it would be good if he would continue working along with SHI along with Mr. Candido Chun and Mr Nana.

I think that's all for now,
Fred Williams

August 22, 2006

Great thanks to SHI today I have my own fish tank, which I never ever thought of. The extensionist gave me the little fishes and has teach me how to feed them. Now we want to go large fishing and sell some of the fish to my neighbors...

Lucia Che
Silver Creek

July 26, 2006

I highly appreciate what the organization has done for me because you were able to help me when I really needed help. I encourage you guys to keep on working and help others the same way as you have done for me. I also hope to continue working along with the organization and I plan to help out others like myself in any way I could. I also want to help you guys out by helping you find interested people who is willing to work and for something for themselves which they could benefit from. Therefore I just want to encourage the young man [Belizean extensionist, Juan Cho] who has been working along with me for doing an excellent job.

Yours truly,
Mr. Rufus Moore

July 26, 2006

I, Mr. Hilario Canti am grateful to all the assistance that extensionist, Juan, have provided me with and for the 25 feet of chicken wire for the installation of my chicken coop. Thanks to SHI personal, and extension for making it possible. We learnt very much of the pruning and shade management to our young cocoa trees, which he have conducted among us. Organic is quite difficult but yet funded [marketable]. Easy help from the extensionist has helped me to carry out soil conservation, reforestation and organic agriculture. We are thankful to the extentionist and hope that he should be stationed and work with us.

Thanks,
Hilario Canti

Sustainable Harvest Nicaragua

With seven years of experience working on Nicaragua's remote Atlantic Coast, SHI's Nicaragua Program has been recognized as a local Nicaraguan Non-profit Organization! This is very exciting news for SHI and the Nicaraguan program, who have elected a local board of directors and received official status from their government as an independent national organization. Click here to meet the Nicaraguan Staff.

SHI recieves highest rating from Charity Navigator with an exceptional score in organizational efficiency and low overhead - we spend just 8% of our budget on adminisration. View the detailed review online at: http://charitynavigator.org

SHI Near You

While our extensionists in Central America are training farmers in their communities, our staff and volunteers in the U.S. are working hard to spread the word about our programs. Will we be visiting your hometown? Click here to get more information about upcoming events or contact us about scheduling a presentation near you.

SHI Eligible for CFC Campaign

By joining the Latin America Fund, Sustainable Harvest International has been listed among charities eligible for funding through the Fall 2006 Combined Federal Campaign. If you are a federal employee, please be on the lookout for your pledge card and select Sustainable Harvest International CFC#9315 to do your part in planting hope, restoring forests and nourishing communities. For more information, please visit http://www.latinamericafund.org

Build a Smaller World

SHI's Central American staff and families are requesting volunteer assistance with a variety of projects in 2007. Click here to learn how you can get involved by taking part in a Smaller World Service Trip in the coming year.

Sustainable Harvest International  •  779 North Bend Rd. Surry, ME 04684  •  207.669.8254 (phone)  •  866.683.6594 (toll free) •  207.669.8255 (fax)  •  shi@sustainableharvest.org  •  www.sustainableharvest.org