Every year (usually in November) we sponsor the visit of a representative of one of our partner organizations. The visits to Canada are at the core of the Community Outreach program because they increase understanding of our partners’ work, while stressing the importance of international solidarity. Partner visits are opportunities to undertake a series of public presentations, networking meetings, and visits with stakeholders throughout Canada.
In November 2008, Analucy Bengochea, the Coordinator of Horizons partner organization, the Garifuna Emergency Committee of Honduras (CEGAH) embarked on a Canadian speaking tour as a guest of Horizons of Friendship’s Community Outreach Program. Analucy shared her experiences of working with grassroots women who are building resilient communities in order to foster sustainable economic development in disaster-hit areas in Honduras and world-wide.
For more information on CEGAH, please visit http://www.huairou.org/assets/download/Brief_Comite_06.pdf
El Comite de Emergencia Garifuna de Honduras was created in response to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The organization has provided immediate disaster relief and support to communities in sustainable organic agriculture and reforestation. They also work toward the preservation of the Garifuna culture. Ms. Bengochea has over 15 years of experience as a community organizer within Garifuna communities, empowering women through income-generating projects and other community development activities. The Garifuna Emergency Committee of Honduras is a member organization of GROOTS International, a global network of grassroots women’s organizations. Through GROOTS, Ms. Bengochea has worked together with other organizations worldwide in disaster preparedness and response, has participated in Peer Exchanges with other grassroots groups, spoken at numerous UN conferences, and played a leadership role within GROOTS at the global level. She has also participated in various global conferences as a result of winning the UNDP Equator Initiative Prize Finalist in 2004. Ms. Bengochea has been a leader in bringing the voice of grassroots women and indigenous to the global stage.
Horizons Co-founder Christine Stewart meets Analucy at the office
Analucy meets with Horizons’ supporters at the Cobourg Public Library
Analucy on the air in Yellowknife at CKLB, Aboriginal Radio and Television Programming
Analucy meets with the Institute for the Advancement of Aborginal Women in Edmonton
Analucy at the 2008 International AIDS Conference
2005 Visit of Blanca Olivia Velasquez, (standing first on left) representative of The Mercedes Olivera y Bustamente Feminist Collective (COFEMO), Chiapas, Mexico with the Kingston Interval House
2006 Visit of Eliette Mejia and Marvin Bustos of the Oscar Arnulfo Romero Community Centre (CCOAR) from Nandaime, Nicaragua with Groupe d’entraide internationale Spirale, Quebec
