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.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Day 23 - Friday 6/24/2011

Now that we had been on the general tour of the island, it was time for the up close and personal touch. A local island woman who is working in bilingual education and conservation took Josh, Mcwane and Mercedes on a walking tour of the island. The team bused to Coxen Hole where their friend took them to interview some of the older black islanders who remembered what island life was like before Hurricane Mitch. They had a chance to try some more of the local fare, and met with some important community leaders. One of the people they interviewed was the Police Chief of the Roatán police force.


After Coxen Hole they made their way to Flowers Bay, where they had a chance to sit with three older islanders sitting in the shade of a gazebo. The men were very friendly and open about the history of the island, including an anecdote about how Flowers Bay invented “The Mccoy,” a famous Roatan dish. One of the men at the table cut a cluster of coconuts from his tree, cut them into cups and let us have some fresh coconut water. It was delicious and well appreciated.
The team wished a good day to the men and moved on to the Patronato of Flowers Bay. He welcomed us to sit at a table on the beach of his business and the team interviewed him over the sound of the water lapping on the shore. He gave the team insight into the needs of his community and places of real concern where they might be able to help.

Finally, the team took a taxi to Punta Gorda, a 45 minute ride. Our guide walked the team to Englishtown. This small community hosts a small school that is still under construction. The roof of the current kindergarten classroom leaks terribly and the rest of the school building is without any covering.

The rest of Punta Gorda showed signs of need, as well. The community is divided into several barrios, or neighborhoods. McWane, Josh, Mercedes, and their host walked along the beach and saw some fishermen. Then, they went to the Punta Gorda community center and talked with the community leaders about their issues.

The team ended the day with a final taxi ride to Coxen Hole and a bus ride back to the hotel. It was a tiring day, but an eye opener full of information and possibilities about the future of the island.
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