EPIC

For forty-seven years, EPIC has led initiatives focused on building peace, promoting food sovereignty, and protecting the environment. Our projects succeed because:

- We trust and empower local leaders.

- We prioritize and amplify indigenous wisdom.

- We encourage innovative and research-based solutions to complex challenges.

- We recognize that all issues are interconnected and interdependent.

Testimonials

We currently run 23 active projects across Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the US, and Nepal. These projects address pressing issues, including food insecurity, access to health and education, inequality, human rights, peacebuilding, environmental degradation, and climate change mitigation.

In Honduras, our Jóvenes en Desarrollo program provides health and education services to at least 1,500 children in some of the country’s most isolated areas. This program not only offers vital health prevention and educational opportunities but also enables three highly trained professionals to fulfill their dreams of serving their community.

Dr. Jacki, one of our implementing partners, explains: “Due to its geographic location, Honduras is one of the countries most affected by climate change. The individuals who suffer the most are often the most vulnerable, living in the very communities we serve.” Dr. Veronica, co-founder of the program, adds, “These children and youth are aware of what is happening. While we can’t change the world, we can change one world: one mind of a child. Just one child who understands what we teach is a success.”

Dr. Jackie expresses gratitude, stating, “Thank goodness for these programs and the inspired individuals helping from afar. We are the hands that put your good wishes into action.”

Dr. Veronica shares, “My dream was to bring health and education to these communities, and thanks to EPIC, we are succeeding.”

In Mexico, an exciting new program is recovering indigenous practices to tackle complex challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and food insecurity. Rogelio, a leader at our partner organization Vicente Guerrero, notes, “We greatly value EPIC’s trust in us. Reforestation doesn’t have to be solely with trees; it can involve other species too.” In the highlands of Tlaxcala, key species like Agave and a native variety of Pinyon Pine will be integrated into 800 farms using the indigenous agro-ecological system called Metepantle. Rogelio explains, “Metepantle will be crucial for climate change mitigation, regulating temperature, retaining moisture, enhancing soil fertility, and capturing significant amounts of carbon dioxide—all while providing farmers with food and marketable products.”

Clara, another leader from Vicente Guerrero, shares, “We thank EPIC for being our right arm in recovering the use of maguey (an agave variety). This project helps families see benefits both on their farms and economically in the future. It’s rewarding work that strengthens our spirit and community as we plant seeds for the future.”

For four years, a consortium of farmers across four countries has planted Arroz Tempisque, an indigenous upland rice resilient to severe storms and droughts. This active collaborative network, supported by WhatsApp and Zoom, has refined planting and soil preparation techniques while creating organic fertilizers and pesticides, which are rarely needed. In 2023-2024 282 new rice farmers joined the project. Mauricio from El Salvador sent us a video showcasing a beautiful field of Tempisque rice and expressing his thoughts and feelings on the Tempisque rice project. Here’s a translation of his message:

“Good morning from El Salvador! Sending greetings from this beautiful field, knowing that Tempisque rice brings security and well-being to low-income families. Having this rice calms our homes and families. It’s a plant we are grateful for; it truly brings wellness. We know this rice can be prepared in many ways. We’re joyful alongside our EPIC partners and all the rice growers across different countries. The gratitude for this rice is immense, as it ensures food security for our families. Know that Tempisque rice supports us, the poor, but we are poor with the motivation to keep striving. Seeing our fields fills us with excitement and joy knowing our families' sustenance is assured.”

With your support, these programs can continue to thrive. Together, we can plant seeds for the future and address global challenges. Recently an EPIC supporter who has visited our programs, sent us this note, "EPIC is the best bang for your buck you will ever find, anywhere. They work from the ground up, and local people run their programs. They leave the communities empowered and stronger, as well as better off. I just wish we could multiply them exponentially!”