

All photos credit: Root Capital
In March, I went on my fourth trip with Root Capital—one very near and dear to my heart because it was to my home country: Honduras. As someone who was born and grew up there—and who has since spent a career working to address the challenges of poverty, climate change, and migration in this region and beyond—it was very meaningful to once again be amid the verdant farms and vibrant communities at the heart of this work.
Root Capital’s journey, like mine, began in Central America. Our very first loan was to the Asobagri coffee cooperative in Guatemala. We loaned Asobagri, who lacked access to capital and was therefore unable to grow, an initial $73,000 USD in 1999. Today, thanks to more than 20 years of working with Root Capital, Asobagri now generates sustainable incomes for double the number of farmers and their families, many of whom are from indigenous communities.
Then, as now, we believed that locally rooted economic opportunity was the best solution to poverty in the region. That’s why Root Capital invests in the growth of small-to-medium local agricultural enterprises, which are proven to create jobs for men and women, increase incomes, and improve the climate resilience of farming families. By providing these businesses with access to capital, training, markets, and climate resilience, they can transform rural communities and economies.
There is no shortage of news stories about the challenges my home country faces, including: poverty, climate change, corruption, and migration pressures. Yet rarely will you read or hear about the many things that make the country amazing: beautiful forests, breathtaking beaches, rich biodiversity, and, most importantly, the best coffee in the world. It is also a place where dedicated community leaders and innovative entrepreneurs are building a better future, for themselves and the next generation.
What do you think?