Citizen Journalism

Laura McNamara is a World-roving journalist and blogger that I know. She has a keen eye for interesting characters and stories. I asked her to keep an eye out for some of those stories that we needed to hear.

Her first post from a trip to Honduras was the story of Billy & Mary Collins and their work with the Chortí Maya; villagers who live outside of Copan Ruinas, Honduras. As you probably are aware, there has been a fair amount of political unrest in Honduras recently and I knew that Laura was working and traveling in the area. I sent her a note to “check in on her” and this was her response.

 

 Laura McNamara, Giramonda [18:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Teaching Them to Fish

Here’s a novel idea when running a business that manages more than a thousand employees: make them feel like an owner.

“We try to do basically everything to make them feel they are like partners not workers. Everybody is on the bonus system; everyone can basically gain more from the company’s success, so everybody feels like it’s their project. That’s the kind of environment we like to maintain here with our people.”

Those partners are the 1,350 locals that make up the direct workforce of Aquafinca St. Peter Fish, a Tilapia producer based out of El Borboton, San Francisco de Yojoa, Honduras.

 

 Yedod Snir of Aquafinca St. Peter Fish [9:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Billy’s Story

Billy’s story really isn’t about Billy at all.

Rather, it’s about the people he’s been working with nearly everyday for the past five years. It’s the story of the Chortí Maya, the direct descendant of the ancient Mayans. Billy describes them as “the conquered people.”

 

 Billy Collins' Stoves: Play Now | Play in Popup