Bulletin Number 8 - October 2008

  

The Millennium Challenge Corporation -MCC- is an innovative independent agency of the United States Government that works with some of the world’s poorest countries. The Congress of the United States, with strong bipartisan support, established MCC in January 2004 to reduce global poverty through sustainable economic growth. MCC manages the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), which is funded exclusively by Congress.

 

Currently, MCC is working with seven countries in Latin America and has signed compacts with the following Latin-American countries: El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua for an overall amount of $791 million. Also, MCC has signed agreements with Guyana, Paraguay and Peru amounting to $76.95 million. Likewise, it is important to point out that Bolivia is eligible for a threshold agreement.

 

A sweet city that is fascinating for tourists

Highschool students from the municipality of Dulce Nombre de María.

Inhabitants of Dulce Nombre de María in the Department of Chalatenango are proud to have been born in one of the most beautiful places in El Salvador. Despite the fact their town is counted among the 94 poorest municipalities in the country, they take every opportunity to express this strong belief by continually enhancing the beauty of their territory.

 

The Secretary to the Municipal Mayor of Dulce Nombre de María, Chalatenango, Edgardo Noel Quintanilla feels privileged to belong to a municipality known for its richness in natural resources, which originates in the banks of the Sumpul river and Los Naranjos river, which cross the 33.5 square miles, and also for having been favored by FOMILENIO with two community infrastructure projects to be built with funds from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

 

"We are privileged (almost 10 thousand inhabitants) to be the beneficiaries of the Millennium Funds; we did not expect to receive something like this for a long time," he said filled satisfaction.

 

 

 

Noel Quintanilla, Municipal Secretary of Dulce Nombre de María.

 

The projects selected by FOMILENIO to be executed in this municipality are: paving of a street adjacent to the National Institute of Dulce Nombre de María (60 lineal meters x 6 meters wide). The second project is to build a footbridge (12 lineal meters and one meter wide) over Quebracho River.

 

Construction of the footbridge will be quite important for some 32 unprotected families who live in neighborhoods (cantones) bordering the river, especially for "many children who are forced to cross the river to be able to attend school; this is risky for the kids since the flow level of the Quebracho River goes up during the rainy season.”

Likewise, since its foundation in 1979, the National Institute of Dulce Nombre de María lacked paved streets, a condition which puts some 320 students from 33 villages in a vulnerable position in aspects relating environment and

 
According to Mr. Quintanilla, the projects approved by FOMILENIO will bring an additional benefit to the municipality, which will allow them to continue promoting the attractions of its territory, but now under a tourist approach.

 

"Thank God, Mayor Elisandro Rivera has been very much interested about the municipality being able to use these funds to such an extent that we are also promoting tourism: we have already beautified the entire urban center. Also, we want to promote religious tourism; for this, we are painting all the churches in all cantons, as Dulce Nombre de María is a great place to develop tourism in our country."

 

The construction of the footbridge would directly benefit about 32 families. Furthermore, street paving of the national institute street would be benefit 600 families from the urban center. Currently, Dulce Nombre de María only has a one-street access; this would be the second street to be paved, thus benefiting population in general, apart from the 325 students who attend classes at the national institute. In general terms, population like, for example, residents of San Fernando and other municipalities are forced to turn aside from their course, and go through the town of Dulce Nombre de María, for the construction of a project. To have a second access to the town will make it more attractive to tourists.  

 

 

  

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Mediation Center brings Peace of Mind

Now that I have my title deeds, I have a sense of protection; I know no one can evict me”, said Rosalpina Blanco.

Rosalpina Blanco lives in a humble house in Hamburgo Neighborhood, about 5 kilometers from Leon City, or nearly 100 kilometers away from the Nicaraguan Capital City.

 

Her case is one of 39 cases in this neighborhood seen and resolved satisfactorily by the Mediation Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (DIRAC – León), which is open since May 2008, as part of the Property Regularization Project in the Province of Leon, implemented by the Property Regularization Program (PRODEP), under the leadership of the Attorney General´s Office (PGR) and the Millennium Challenge Account – Nicaragua.

 

Her case is quite similar to the rest of her neighbors living in Hamburgo. Eight years ago, a state-subsidized housing project provided people with houses and promised to deliver their coming -soon title deeds. However, time went by and no title deed arrived.

 

 

Milagros Silva and Denis

 

Happy Beneficiaries

 

In the house Nº 4, you will find wife Milagros Silva and husband Denis and their children. She also has been benefited from DIRAC services.

 

“The truth is that I was worried and disappointed by the Project because I had no title deeds. I was told I had to hire a lawyer to obtain said papers” recalls Milagros Silva.

She added “However, thanks to the mediation and support provided by the Mediation Center, they gave the assistance I needed and finally I got my title deeds for free”.


Upon the completion of this step, Milagros Silva wants to bequeath it to her two children.

 

 

In June, Hamburgo residents heard about the work done by the Mediation Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (DIRAC-León) to resolve property disputes through alternative mechanisms, so they sought help. One of them was Rosalpina.

 

“I felt terrible without my title papers. I could not afford a legal counselor to arrange my title deeds. So, when I heard about DIRAC, I asked for their help. Now that I have my title deeds, I have a sense of protection; I know no one can evict me”, said the old lady.

 

Now, she hopes the Property Regularization Project keeps supporting her to register her property in the Leon Property Registry Office.

 

A Work full of Accomplishments

 

The Mediation Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (DIRAC-León) was opened in May. Until September, it has managed 72 property mediation cases and has successfully helped conflicting parties reach an agreement in 48 cases.

 

Brenda Machado, field amiable compositeur working for the Mediation Center in Leon said that they deal with conflicts for title deeds, possession, water rights, division of properties, possession appeals, boundary conflicts, etc. Cases are directed by the local offices of the Attorney General´s Office (PGR), National Police, Courts and individuals who voluntarily come to know about the Mediation Center.

 

“This alternative conflict resolution method is quite beneficial to the society, not only because it is a free service, but also because it fosters dialogue and brings the conflict to an end swiftly”, said Machado.

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Promoting mobilization and social commitment

Horticultural producers of San Pedrito, building a desander near Río Frío, a water source for their irrigation system.

Highly Motivated and driven by a common feeling of resolve, organization and discipline, local leaders of the Santa Barbara Department have successfully completed the four irrigation systems that will be now assisting agricultural production in the communities of Resumidero, Buenos Aires, Joconal, Plan del Higo and La Balastrera, in the municipality of San Nicolas, and those of San Pedrito and Nueva Victoria in Atima, located four-hours drive from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras.

 

 

 

Team work to install the piping in Nueva Victoria, Municipality of Atima.

 

 

During all meetings held for the socialization of the Community Irrigation Project in 2008, the above mentioned communities and municipalities always responded in a positive way.  Excellent results were also obtained from the election of Irrigation Water Management Councils for all productive groups, as well as from the analysis of regulations, norms and administrative procedures aimed at guaranteeing the sustainability of the irrigation project.

 

The Councils have succeeded in mobilizing the necessary human and material resources to secure completion of the irrigation works and to optimize the use of the water distribution lines.  Discussions generated during the meeting have allowed transparent and participative analysis on issues regarding water use fees to be covered through their own management units.

 

Through the 15 irrigation systems to be provided through the Community Irrigation System currently implemented by ADRA International, MCA-Honduras will be benefiting seven municipalities located in Southern part of Santa Bárbara

 

The project is proudly demonstrating the degree of empowerment built among local leaders and residents, now profiting from the development opportunity being offered through these irrigation systems to improve economic options for their families.

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Edición y Diseño: Dirección de Comunicaciones de MCA - Nicaragua

Redacción: MCA - Honduras, MCA - El Salvador y MCA - Nicaragua