Carlos Hernandez Carlos started working for CISA in 2002 as a construction helper and was promoted to mechanics helper two years later. After his promotion he started building an adobe house for himself and another for his parents. CISA gave Carlos a small loan to finish the roof on his parent’s home. At the time Carlos said he was happy he had the opportunity to help his parents and he feels satisfied with his work.  Now Carlos is married with a new baby.  He has become a mechanic for the construction company ARRAYAN which maintains and operates the hydro electric project for CISA.  Carlos wants to stay working at the hydro project and learn more about maintenance for heavy equipment.  Carlos supervises the fueling of the construction equipment and has learned record keeping through this process.

Angel Hernandez

Angel doesn’t exactly remember when he first started working for CISA, maybe 4 or 5 years he says.  Angel was also one of the first employees and one of the most valuable.  He started working for CISA as a home trained mechanic and has managed to gain a lot of experience which has added to his natural talent for repairing machines.  Angel traveled to San Pedro Sula to attend a seminar on maintenance and repairs for the new Mazda trucks.  Angel received loans from CISA to pay for the legal documents for his house and personal car.  He plans on maintaining the vehicles and equipment at the project site for a long time to come.

Fredy Alvarado

Fredy also came to work for CISA as a trained mechanic.  He now concentrates on heavy equipment repairs and was an important part of the team that installed the projects turbines.  Fredy has worked at the site for the last 5 years and really appreciates his job.  Fredy attended a seminar to learn the maintenance for Volvo excavators and has traveled to help install generators at other construction sites due to the experience he gained in La Esperanza.  In 2005 Fredy’s house was broken into and he lost everything.  CISA gave him a personal loan to replace his furniture, appliances and clothing.

Digna Orellana

Digna has been working in the CISA office since she was 15.  In the last 4 years she has learned how to file, keep records and be responsible for bookkeeping.   Digna now works for El Platanar the environmental company that manages the hydro project for CISA.  Digna still helps in the office but she is also running a small store that sells snacks to the other employees, and she helps in the company kitchen to make lunch for the construction workers.  Digna is working full time and has just finished her second year in college, which is equivalent to being in high school in North America. Digna is presently attending a computation school to learn specifically how to use microsoft office and the internet. She plans on becoming an accountant. The owners of CISA assist Digna in paying for her schooling and the company has also helped her with loans she has requested to help her family.

Maria Vasquez

Maria was one of the first employees of CISA.  She helped run the vivero in 2002 when the project first started its reforestation initiative.  Maria received loans from CISA to build her house, get her home electrified, and also to install an efficient cookstove.  Maria now works for El Platanar, but she still runs the greenhouses and plays an important role in training volunteer planters.  Maria took courses in organic composting, first aid, and environmental mitigation during her time with the hydro project. Maria is thankful for all the help she and her family and community have received from CISA. 

Bonifacio Sanchez

Bonifacio started work with CISA as a construction helper in 2005.  He was an excellent worker, but had difficulty arriving to work on time since he lives in a community approximately 25 km drive from the project.  Bonifacio walked over an hour to and from work six days a week.  Bonifacio is 57 this year, so it was decided he would work as a day time security guard only 4 days a week, without a change in his pay.  Bonifacio has a room at the project and now only has to walk to and from work once a week and has 4 days off to spend with his wife of 30 years and two children.  

Dolores Gamez

Dolores is one of 12 powerhouse operators.  He started working at the project 5 years ago and in that time has received much assistance from CISA.  Dolores has received loans to finish his adobe house and has been saving money to buy property to farm.  Dolores has three young children, two are old enough to attend school and Dolores thanks the company CISA for paying the “education bonus” to help with the education costs.  Dolores lives extremely close to the projects boundary and has often been the “on call” powerhouse operator if there are any difficulties.

Nathanael Lorenzo

Nathanael started work in 2003 as a construction helper, he moved on to the sand plant and then was working in the projects small saw mill and was recently promoted to Powerhouse operator.  Nathanael received loans to build his home that he shares with his new wife and son.  His home was also electrified with financial assistance from CISA.  He has learned how to drive and learned construction techniques through his work at the project and is really thankful that the project was built in his community.  Nathanael says that CISA has helped his community and his family more than he can express in words.