José Evenor
Castro
Blandón
From Day Laborer to Independent Farmer
For years, José’s life was defined by exhaustion and scarcity. Working as a day laborer on coffee farms, he earned only $6.30 a day—barely enough to feed his wife, Lucía, and their three children, Johner (17), Ashley (10), and Breynis (2).
Although he inherited a small 4.94-acre plot, the income from coffee crops was meager. The family lived on the edge of survival, constantly making painful choices about food, clothing, and schooling.
“I had to work on coffee farms, and with the little I earned, I had to pay for everything—food, water, electricity, and clothes. It wasn’t enough,” José recalls.
In 2023, José saw a way forward. He applied to the Harvest of Hope Center (HHC) after hearing about neighbors who had transformed their lives through Agros. For the first time, he was offered more than temporary wages—he was offered training, tools, and ownership.
Agros doesn’t give handouts. It’s not a charity, it’s a hand up—creating assets, net worth, and ownership. At HHC, José learned how to diversify his land and apply modern techniques. With Agros’ support, he planted Nathalie chili peppers on his own protected plot, equipped with irrigation.
“I didn’t know anything about vegetables, but with Agros’ training, I learned how to care for the plants and monitor the crops,” José says.
In just nine months, José’s results were remarkable:
This wasn’t just extra income. It was a complete transformation: we don’t just lift families out of poverty—we build prosperity. By fully adopting 100% of Agros’ practices, José is no longer dependent on uncertain day labor. He now owns his harvest.
José’s new life reflects stability and dignity. He no longer wakes at dawn to work another man’s land. Instead, he manages his own crops, reinvests his profits, and spends more time with his family.
His wife and children have seen the difference too. The family has been able to improve their home with better sanitary conditions, and Johner, the oldest son, is now pursuing a technical degree in agronomy—proof that the cycle of opportunity is taking root.
“Now I have knowledge of how to cultivate and manage crops. I’ve learned to produce higher-quality harvests, and I feel proud of it,” José says.
José dreams of:
José knows this journey is a partnership.
“First, I thank God above all. I also thank Agros International and the donors whose support makes this possible. This project is a blessing for every one of us.”
Today, José is no longer a day laborer—he is a farmer, an entrepreneur, and a role model. With Agros, we crush poverty by helping farming families become their own bosses.
