Seven Weeks Honduras
Poverty, crime and corruption dominate the country of Honduras. That’s at least how I learnt it from the media. I was though interested to find out more about a life under such cicumstances. How do those three catchwords translate into a daily life of human beings? This curioustiy made me decide to to travel for seven weeks to San Pedro Sula as a volunteer at the "Yo quiero ser ...". When I sat on the airplane somewhere between Miami and San Pedro Sula, I tried to imagine how Honduras will really be like. It arose to me, that I would encounter in Honduras many poor people. However, I could not grasp what that would really feel like and therefore did I not worry any longer what I will be faced with. Feelings of excitement and curiosity settled in. I was looking forward to leave my daily routine behind me for a while and to discover another world.
For seven weeks I was allowed to experience what poverty, crime and corruption really means. The reality in Honduras was far from what my expectations were. I never thought that crime, poverty and corruption can posssibly ever dominate a country like it does in Honduras. The stories and fates of children touched me very much. I am particularly concerned by the fact that life in Honduras has no value wahtsoever, too many people die, hearts stop beating and nobody seems to care, even though there would be plenty of space for all of them. With each new experience, my diary was filling up in a heartbeat. For me it was very impressive to see, how the children cope with their fate, by not getting disincuraged when “falling-down”, instead they just got back up and continued on. They walk their journey with joy, open minded-/hearted and with a smile on their faces. Their openess I appreciated during my whole stay and I was endlessly fascinated how the children of "Yo quiero ser ..." support each other and live together.
Every day, there were plenty of things which needed to get done. I tried to help out with a few projects alike painting the walls or planning activities for the children. Often I helped cleaning or I would just play with the children.
When I was sitting on the airplane on my way home, an elderly lady complained that the meat was not good. A young woman behind me became upset because she thought she had too little space. All I felt at that moment was infinite gratitude. Gratitude, that Patricia and the children have allowed me to experience how live can be lived full heartedly, with joy and appreciation despite poverty.
Thank you for letting me be part of this big loving family, tucked away in a little paradise in Honduras, for two months.
Claudia Flury from Disentis / Mustér