|
 Friends
of Honduran Children is proud to introduce
actress Jessica Holmes, Child Sponsor and friend to the
deserving children of Honduras. Joining a team of volunteers
on a recent trip to the impoverished nation, Jessica had an
opportunity to meet her sponsored child Gabriella, and
witness firsthand the difference she's made in this little
girl's life. Thank you to Jessica for dedicating her time
and her heart to our cause and welcome to the Friends of
Honduran Children family.
When
a relative called and asked me to be a spokesperson for
Friends of Honduran Children, I was immediately drawn to the
name. Honduras is the poorest country in the Americas, and
that means a desperate existence for its orphans. Those with
nowhere to go live on the streets, and they often turn to a
life of drugs, prostitution and crime while still in
adolescence. Having lived for a short time in Latin America, I
had seen first-hand how the cycle of poverty can leave a child
with no dreams or aspirations. No opportunity to discover
happiness. So I was eager to see the orphanage supported by
Friends of Honduran Children and see what a difference it made
for these abandoned and orphaned children.
When
I arrived I felt I was setting foot in the most beautiful
country I've ever been to. Lush green mountains covered in
pine and palm trees! A very beautiful mix. But dotting the
mountains are slums filled with shacks made from mud and old
slabs of tin. Many of the children and single mothers helped
by FoHC come from these impoverished areas.
Our
first stop was at the orphanage called Pedro Atala. We could
hear children laughing and playing from a block away. We
stepped through the gate and saw dozens of happy, healthy
children playing in groups. I was glad to see that despite
coming from troubled backgrounds, they were exceptionally well
mannered and respectful of each other. They were sharing, and
taking care of each other. One little boy tripped during a
game of tag and several older children ran over to make sure
he was alright. Of course he was, and so they pulled him up
and the game resumed. There was a definite sense of peace and
happiness in the orphanage.
It's
here that I met Gabriella, the eight-year-old girl I had come
to sponsor. Her mother brought her to Sister's orphanage four
weeks ago since she was too poor and overwhelmed to care for
her. Once she was told I was sponsoring her stay in the
orphanage, she began calling me "madrina", which
means godmother. This is a common practice for the children
there. I took Gabriella to a local market to get a new pair of
shoes. When I told her to pick any pair she wanted, it stumped
her. She didn't understand the concept of taking whatever she
liked, and it took a few reassurances before she chose some
colourful sandals. I was happy to learn that many sponsors
stay in touch with the children they sponsor through letters.
This means a lot to me since I would love to act as a mentor
to Gabriella through correspondence.
Throughout
the week I spent in Honduras, visiting the many orphanages and
schools supported by FoHC, I was struck again and again by how
well rounded and polite these children were. Finally I asked
one of the organizers how children who start out so wounded
and disadvantaged can grow into such happy adolescents, she
replied: "The goal is to give [the children] more than
just the things that disappear. We want to raise them with a
sense of morality and decency, so they can grow up to be proud
of themselves." Goal accomplished! I look forward to
supporting Friends of Honduran Children for many years to
come.
Sincerely,
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