CHILDREN’S HOMEM
Visits and Volunteers
Throughout the year, we are frequently visited by volunteers from Switzerland, much to the delight of the children and teenagers. They bring a different vibe to daily life, always have time, and are involved with heart and commitment. They organize small activities that are often not possible otherwise and, most importantly, give the children something valuable: new friendships.
A special highlight was the visit of our board member Marc Ziegler and his wife Ana at the end of the year. Thanks to their perfect Spanish skills, they immediately connected with the children and staff. Together, we visited our projects and they immersed themselves in the daily life of the children’s home.
Many of our Swiss friends also enrich the lives of the children with their visits, creating moments of joy and comfort.
Graduation Ceremony
We are proud to announce that Cesia completed her “Bachillerato en Administración de Empresas” with an impressive 95%. Wendy also successfully completed her “Bachillerato en Ciencias y Humanidades”. The ceremonial awarding of the diplomas took place in a festive setting to which each graduate was able to invite seven guests. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone and a great motivation for the young students.
In Switzerland, the qualifications are as follows:
- The “Bachillerato en Administración de Empresas” is comparable to a technical high school diploma with a business focus.
- The “Bachillerato en Ciencias y Humanidades” is most comparable to the Swiss gymnasial Matura.
Both have passed the university entrance exams and will begin their studies in 2025. We wish them both every success!
Cultural Excursion
Despite the frequent social challenges, Honduras is a country of remarkable diversity and beauty. Our children were able to experience some cultural highlights.
Fortaleza de San Fernando in Omoa: This historic 18th-century structure impressed the children. After the tour, there was a typical seaside lunch with fried fish, plantains, beans, and rice. A swim in the sea rounded off the day.
PANACAM National Park: With the older teenagers, we undertook a 4-hour hike through the breathtaking park, known for its cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and a fascinating variety of plants such as orchids, ferns, and giant mahogany trees. The impressive vegetation was a special experience for everyone.
Farm Animal at Yo Quiero Ser
The company TRC, a long-time supporter, gave the children an unforgettable day. A farming family brought animals that many children saw and petted for the first time. Among the four-legged guests were ponies, horses, pigs, calves, sheeps, rabbits, turtles, and even frogs.
Those who dared could even hold frogs on their heads and feed calves with a bottle. The highlight of the day was horseback riding - an experience the children will not soon forget.
Pre-Christmas and Christmas Season
During Advent, many companies such as K y B, Mapfre, Aglo Joven, APROSSA, Da Gas, Sociedad San Vicente de Paul, Interact, and others visited us. They organized special days with gifts, pizza, and piñatas, allowing the children to celebrate Christmas multiple times.
The company TRC also invited us to Chuck n Cheese (a play area in the leisure center), where the children could play for several hours. Afterwards, there was a delicious lunch, and each child received a Christmas present.
We spent Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve with family. After a festive dinner, we played together and reflected on the year 2024. The children wrote down negative experiences and conflicts on pieces of paper, which were hidden in a figure - the Monigote – which has been burned at midnight. This way, everyone started the year 2025 with positive thoughts and new energy.
SANTA ROSA DE COPAN
Annual Review 2024
José Luis Maldonado, Director in Santa Rosa de Copán: “In 2024, our foundation Yo Quiero Ser at the Vocational Training Center in Santa Rosa de Copán looks back on a successful year. In total, we offered 35 technical courses, in which 517 participants from 15 different training areas received their national diploma. These included carpentry, locksmithing, tailoring, hairdressing, jewelry making, auto mechanics, mobile phone repair, and the production of scented candles and cleaning products. These courses were conducted in close collaboration with INFOP, who also awarded the diplomas to the successful graduates. We are particularly pleased that all courses are free of charge, allowing us to provide many people with the opportunity to gain professional qualifications.”
Feedback from Course Participants
Roxana (Hairdressing Course): “I want to learn new things for life. This way, I can cut my children’s hair myself and save money.”
Josué (Hairdressing Course): “The course is free, and I get training that is now my source of income. Haircuts are very expensive, and this way, I can earn good money.”
Angela (Sewing Course): “This course is wonderful, and I am learning many new things. Now I can sew clothes and sell them.”
Geovanni (Locksmithing Course): “I took the course because I have always been interested in manual work and metalworking. I also wanted to improve my professional skills to have better chances in the job market.”
Yoni (Carpentry Course): “After completing the course, I want to work in a carpentry shop to gain more experience. My long-term goal is to create my own furniture designs and maybe one day open my own small carpentry shop.”
Jessica (Nursing Course): “The two-year training as a nurse showed me how important practical experience is in everyday professional life. The internship was particularly exciting because I could apply what I had learned directly to patients. It helped me deepen my knowledge and develop a better understanding of the tasks and challenges of the nursing profession. I now have a job at the hospital.”
Additionally, 196 students from six different public schools participated in our computer courses. Here are some of their feedback:
Maria: “The day we get to come here is always the best day of the week. We learn a lot of exciting things and get a delicious snack.”
José: “I learned a lot this year and acquired new computer skills. When I grow up, I want to work in this field.”
Teacher: “This year, I was able to inspire many students for digital topics in our computer classes. We taught basic computer skills such as word processing, spreadsheets, and internet research. I am particularly proud that some students can now create presentations independently. The progress and commitment of the participants have impressed me greatly. My goal remains to further expand digital skills and initiate even more practical projects.”
UNIÓN Y ESPERANZA
Brigada Médica
An American organization visited Unión y Esperanza and organized medical and psychological care on a Sunday. In total, 95 children and 58 adults were examined by doctors and received the necessary medications for free. Additionally, 4 teenagers and 8 adults received psychological support. The organization also provided a communal lunch for all residents, and at the end of the day, everyone prayed together.
1st Family Anniversary
On December 15th, the first families in Unión y Esperanza celebrated their one-year anniversary. On this occasion, clothing was sold at a symbolic price so that all family members could afford new clothes for Christmas. The foundation organized a delicious Christmas dinner with dessert for everyone.
Some residents shared their moving life stories, which were hard for the listeners to comprehend - many tears were shed. They spoke about their lives before the relocation, the devastating effects of Hurricanes Eta and Iota that destroyed everything, and the tough times when many struggled to survive. But today, they have a new perspective and hope for a better future.
To conclude the day, there was a raffle with great prizes and a cheerful piñata for the children.
The Families
By the end of 2024, a total of 91 houses in Unión y Esperanza were occupied by 61 families with couples, 29 single mothers, and one single father. In total, 409 people live in the project, of which 55% are female and 45% are male.
The average age of the population is 18.75 years. Overall, 62% of the residents are younger than 18 years, and only 38% are older than 18 years.
