A Research Project in Roatan, Honduras

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, located 35 miles north of mainland Honduras. The island is approximately 3 miles wide and 30 miles long with a resident population of 65,000. The local economy is dominated by tourism- the tropical setting with resorts, beaches, and reef diving are the primary attractions. Visitation has increased substantially- from 15,000 in 1990, to 700,000 in 2010, and 1 million plus expected in 2011. Visitors arrive by airline, ferries from the mainland, or cruise ships that make frequent stops at the two docks recently constructed for them.

Colonia Policarpo is the largest of four colonias clustered in a relatively new settlement that lies on a steep hillside on the northwest side of the island near Sandy Bay. Most of the colonia residents have migrated from mainland Honduras seeking service and construction jobs in the tourism industry. Policarpo has approximately 520 households and 3,000 residents, half under age 16. Prior to 2006, most colonia residents obtained their drinking water from rainwater catchment or shallow hand dugs well subject to pollution. Since that time Living Water 4 Roatan (LW4R), a non-governmental organization, has worked with Policarpo residents to develop a self-sustaining water system that provides treated drinking water to households on a limited basis.

The Global Partnership Project student organization at Northern Arizona University (GPP-NAU) is collaborating with this community, LW4R, and a local health clinic in an effort to improve the quality of life in the colonia. This partnership is considered to be a multi-year endeavor between NAU and Colonia Policarpo. The long term goals for this and future trips include:

- Build relationships in Roatan and within the colonia community.
- Provide for adequate sanitation systems to all residences to reduce the chances of disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria, and dengue fever.
- Expand and improve the water system, reduce the energy costs for operating it.
- Provide for adequate solid waste collection and erosion control.
- Perform social network mapping and interviewing to gain a better understanding of the community and their needs, particularly for public works improvements.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Day Three - Mercedes - Sat 6.4.2011

I just got off the phone with Enrique, who informed me that the Zittrowers' home was broken into today while they were all at the airport picking up their most recent crop of missionaries from the airport. The thief/thieves broke a window and stole money, credit cards, etc. Everyone is well and safe, which is the important thing. It is a reminder, however, of the need to be vigilant.

Today I allowed myself to sleep in and recuperate a bit after a very long week. At around 10am or so, I emerged from my cocoon and went out to explore the area. I found my way to the entrance to the colonia and explored the neighborhood just beyond the Pirate's Den and along the ocean. Despite being beachfront property, much of the land is owned by families, expatriates and islanders alike. It’s a great place to be a child. Everwhere I turned there was a bevy of kids in trees, kicking soccer balls, climbing fences. Several stopped to chat with me and find out what I was up to. One little girl pointed out her school to me and informed me that she was in kinder for the second time but that her brother had only done kinder once and was now in "grado". Interesting that that was what she thought to be very important information to convey to me.

My wanderings also attracted the attention of a local man named Chris who struck up a conversation with me and told me all about life, love, and bush medicine in Roatan. He made sure to emphasize that his last name was Palmer-Woods, a testament to his British roots (he also threw in a joke for good measure about being related to both Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods). Roatanians' nostalgia for their British history and roots is fascinating to me. It's a long enduring remnant of the contentious history between the British, the Spanish, and the pirates. It was great to finally get the perspective of a non-mainland Honduran. He told me several ghost stories. I am not sure whether these stories are inspired by the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, or if they are the inspiration for the movie. I suppose a bit of both.
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