How we got started in Honduras and why we are so committed after 15 years!

Wanting to do international outreach after being involved in many areas of outreach in the United States led me to look into a grant challenge being offered by our local Episcopal Church, St. John the Baptist church in Breckenridge, Colorado to do international outreach.

I am not sure what led me to Honduras but I know part of my heart was lost to the country after one trip.  I looked at areas in our hemisphere where there was great need and where we might find a way to make a difference.  We knew we wanted to make a difference and saw an opportunity to work initially with other non-profits and figure out how things worked and how we could fit into the system.

We patiently listened, worked and sought out ways to help. We didn’t look to lead but to listen, follow and be patient. We wanted to help and support and find our way and find what our work would look like and it involved a lot of soul searching to do it the right way.

It has been a long, heart-filled, sometimes difficult, sometime frustrating but always rewarding journey.  We have made a difference and have taken our lead from the people we serve.  It has been a journey filled with compassion, frustrations, and set-backs, learning opportunities, always trying to move forward and always filled with love.

We have formed many partnerships that have been built on over the last 15 years and they have been vital to helping us make a difference over the years.  We treasure all of our partnerships because they have been so diverse and have broadened our outlook on what we are able to do, whatever that looks like. 

We have built and support schools, we have done clean water projects, and we have held medical clinics every year in remote villages and established a system of “Health Guardians”, men and women from villages who receive monthly training on first aid and medical interventions.  They have a basic medical book and have a doctor who runs the program always available to them.

We have learned that we are constantly learning, listening and being incredibly flexible.  Trying to not say no but “How can we help?” Is it something we are able to do, is it sustainable and will it make a difference?

We have built schools, supported education, built schools, renovated schools and provided school supplies and scholarships.  We have done water projects, brought medical teams, provided 2 ambulances to clinics and lately supplied food to villages with no food supplies during the Covid 19 Pandemic.

We have many partnerships with other non-profits who believe like we do that we can all make a difference.