In honor of International Women’s Day, Humanity and Hope United celebrates the achievements of women in Honduras and around the world. Today we’re highlighting four women in the community of La Coroza who joined together to start their own business -- a bakery that will serve their community and the surrounding areas.

Around the world, women earn 23% less than men on average. In Honduras, that income gap is even greater and existing gender norms often make it difficult for women to find jobs outside the home -- particularly in rural areas. Without a reliable source of income, many women struggle to support their families and have to rely on others for support. Humanity and Hope works with women in three communities in northern Honduras to identify the job and business opportunities that allow them to thrive.

Four women in La Coroza came up with the idea of starting their own bakery business. In 2018, Emerita Hernandez, Lilian Olvera, Paty Olvera, and Dulce Mejia formed their own business group and began the arduous task of turning their dream bakery into a reality. The plan stalled because building a business from scratch can be expensive and they lacked the initial capital to get started. Undeterred, they decided to take the first step by building their own oven.

Then, last summer, Ben Higgins connected Humanity and Hope to The Fixers, a TV show where a team of experienced builders travels to remote locations to complete life-changing projects. They asked us what was on our priority list, and that is when the bakery came up. The Fixers funded and built the entire bakery in five days with the support of people in the community.

Emerita, Lilian, Paty, and Dulce are extremely excited about their new business, which is currently in the start-up phase. Their goal is to attract customers from neighboring communities and eventually sell their baked goods to local businesses as well. These women have learned how to manage their small business and now will not only sustainably contribute to their families, but will also serve as role models for other women in their community.

Humanity and Hope’s vision is to connect people to opportunities that can transform their lives. For Emerita, Lilian, Paty, and Dulce, this bakery is an opportunity for them to increase their incomes and increase their control over their own time and resources. As women become empowered economically, individuals, families, and entire communities benefit.

We are so excited to see what is in store for these incredible women and their new business!

Be sure to follow us on social media to get more updates on the La Coroza bakery.