La Ceiba Fall 2007

 Pictured (from left to right): Sierra Stoney, Katie MacEwen, Will Hawk, Christine Exley, Dr, H, Justin Simone, Maria Reyes, Daniel Marsh, Ashley Lippolis,  and Anna Lowell

The Fall 2007 team was tasked with launching Phase 1 of our improved cook stove (ICS) program.  It was during their trip to Honduras (January 2008) that the idea of La Ceiba MFI emerged.  Justin Simeone (above center) was the President of Students Helping Honduras at the time and worked with Dr. Humphrey to structure the partnership with his class that made the ICS program a possibility.   Justin is holding one lempira – which was given to him by the ICS team as a guarantee that they would fulfill their promise to organize, fund and launch a microfinancial institution in El Progreso.