Marvin Zavala in La Ceiba, northern Honduras © Vanessa Kurz/ Progressio

Marvin Zavala is a development worker in technical assistance in the political and agroforestry advocacy programme in the Pico Bonito National Park in Honduras.  Marvin was born in Nicaragua.

The Pico Bonito National Park is one of the most important protected forestry areas in Honduras.   From the start of his collaboration with Progressio in April 2005, Marvin has made the park his centre of operations.   That is where he carried out his work on sustainable agriculture with small peasants living within the area of influence of the park.

Together with the Parque Nacional Pico Bonito Foundation, Marvin collaborates in a variety of ways in the management of the park, from giving courses to producers in the zone, to the establishment of new lots with sustainable agricultural products, through plans for improving the management of drinking water and the change in fertilization methods.   All this with the aim of guaranteeing the sustainability of the park.

Within his responsibilities, the most important are:

• Supporting the redirecting of the agroforestry strategy of the National Park of Pico Bonito.
• Political advocacy and the strengthening of the Administrative Water Boards which are within the park's area of attention.

Experience with his partner has been very rewarding: "I feel happy in my work post and I feel that my work is recognised, I'm doing what I like", and he is supported by the local Progressio office, "the logistics are very good, there is a very horizontal relationship where there are no bosses or subalterns, but a mutually-supportive work force."

Identification of the needs and opportunities presented by the Foundation have helped him to define his work strategy.   "In spite of the fact that the organization has worked for 15 years on bettering the quality of life of the families living within the zone of influence of the park, it has not succeeded in defining a strategy for the support and strengthening of the work capacity of these communities.   And this is where my work comes in!   Accompanying learning processes as much with skills as with farmers."

The distribution of water is a fundamental part in the lives of the small farmers in the zone: this is where the Administrative Water Boards led by local peasants come in.   "the Foundation has been developing projects for systems of drinking water in the communities of the zone, and it is necessary to strengthen the capacities of self-management and appropriation of resources, and guarantee their sustainability through the recognition of the protected areas and micro basins."

From his previous experience with UNAG (the national trade union of farmers and stock-breeders), in work with women, giving them financial advice related to his agricultural work, Marvin has developed  a special sensibility to gender work.   'In spite of there being a large number of women taking part in the different activities of the foundation, this is not reflected in the level of recognition by men.

The women take part in the Water Administration Boards, in agroforestry, in making improved stoves, in education, etc., but there is not yet empowerment of their rights, especially in the taking of decisions.

The question is, What capacity for the taking of decisions have the women in their sphere of participation in the organizations?   This is something we must strengthen.'

The work carried out by Marvin Zavala in Honduras is financed by Irish Aid and the Department for International Development of the British Government.