Second floor
The second floor is slowly but surely assuming shape; the handrail, the windows, the intermediate parts and the doors have been fitted and the bathroom floor has been tiled. Building the second floor takes a long time as only Edwing and Darling are working on it.
First midterm exams in school
Our 30 elementary school students and our two high school students had to study hard during a whole week for their first midterm exams. Every afternoon, they had to repeat the subject material and memorize it. It was worth the effort, as everyone passed their exams with grades ranging from good to very good.
The settling down of recently received children
Briny had some difficulties adjusting to the life in the children’s home, as she did not want to observe our rules. She was very lazy and avoided all the work. After talking to her several times, we pointed out that she would get a very good chance here, but that we would not hesitate to give her spot to a different child if she did not use it. This pressure helped her to change her mind and she behaves very well now.
Jaklin is about three years old and did not speak a word when he arrived. In the last few weeks and months, he received a lot of safety, comfort and love which helped him develop. Now he speaks several words and is able to communicate with the others. In such situations, I realize what effect insecurity and the environment can have on a child.
Engell, our youngest child, also makes daily progress; he can now walk on his own, speak in sounds and he loves to eat.
Easter holidays
As every year, we spent this year’s Easter holidays in Santa Rosa de Copan. We packed up bag and baggage and arrived safely without an accident.
Unfortunately, it rained during two days so that the children were not able to go swimming. However, the weather conditions gave us time to play games, write letters to the godparents and watch pictures from the children’s home from 2007 – 2012, which they enjoyed very much.
In the evenings, we had open-air cinema outside. Later, the weather got better and everyone enjoyed swimming in the swimming pool, playing soccer and walking in the woods.
Everyone enjoys this change of scenery and the atmosphere is relaxed, free from stress and the children behave very well and independently.
Green areas
When I first came to Honduras nine years ago, I was surprised at how green the landscape was. Unfortunately, though, we did not have any green area here in the children’s home.
Therefore, we got turf every Sunday for a few weeks so that now a big part of our area is green and lush.
New mattresses
Our friend Desirée Ammann de Gonzalez and her friends have bought a new mattress for every child. Not only were the children happy about this, but also our housecleaner, Griselda, is happy about this donation, as the old mattresses were too heavy and too big for the bunk beds.