Dia del Niño
In Honduras do all children impatiently wait for the 10th of decembre because it is “Dia del Niño” what means children’s day. On this special day all children were dressed in a new outfit, sponsored by Greta and Peter Hofmann. At school they had different games planned, festive food was served, gifts were handed out and the Piñatas were neither missing.
Our high school kids handcrafted their own Piñatas for the „Dia del Niño“. They formed different objects with paper mâché and stuffed their centre with candies. Afterwards they banged, blindfolded with a broomstick, onto the hanging object until the candy fell out and everybody jumped on it. Not only the 10th of September was special, all month has been quite different because each Sunday did we welcome visitors. Once a group from a salsa school, medicine students from the university, a youth group from church and one Sunday did our friends from Gran Comission come bye. All of them brought presents along, food, great energy, many hugs and a lot of attention for our children. They have been blessed all month with much thoughtful signs of appreciation through our guests.
To share
For us it is very important that the children learn from an early age on how to share. Furthermore, do we want them to appreciate what they have. Therefore do we organize regularly volunteer activities. This time around we filled up bags with clothes, basic nutrition and sweets from the Piñatas. The donation was destination for children visiting a school close by a neighbouring slum. The happiness was endless, not only for the recipients, the givers were equally filled with joy. Because our children are well aware that more than 60% of the 8.5 million Honduran live in poverty and almost 40% of them in extreme poverty. It means that almost every second Honduran must survive on 1.25U$ per day. Most of the children lived through that and are very willing to do anything to change other children’s lives.
Dia de la Independencia
Since the 15th of September 1821, Honduras is independent and no longer a colony of Spain. This national independence day is celebrated in the streets all over the country. Streets are being cleared decorated with historic symbols and in the colours of Honduras. All kind of parades take place, most participants are students which are dressed in their finest clothes. The children and young adults are extremely proud to represent their country during this festivities. Our high school students marched approximately 3km under the burning sun, Daniel even carried the flag and Luz Marina lead the team as Palillona.
When the children came closer to the stadium, where the march ended, the clapping of the audience and the waving flags encourage them to give their all on the last meters. They did a fabulous job.
Day at the beach
After the independence day was a school holiday which we used to spend a day at the beach. Small and tall enjoyed this change of routine and loved the cold sea, the different activities on the beach and the togetherness was being very much appreciated.
The lunch was served under palm trees which was a nice experience. We stayed at our cosy hideaway in Tela until dawn.
Melanie Sigron
Melanie Sigron originates from Savognin and planned her latin America trip around her visit at “yo quiero ser”. She spent some weeks with us and participated in our daily routine. She gained quickly insights in our lives and joined as even when we visited families in the slums. She was shocked when we visited a 35 year old mother of five. She just gave birth to her youngest son while at the same time her daughter gave birth to her first baby girl. The little money they earn lets them struggle daily. To have food is not granted. The day we visited, the new born niece fell sick and the daughter sacrificed food to be able to buy a bus ticket to the hospital. That was the first time when Melanie realised, that families in Honduras really fight every day to survive. It seems to be a never ending struggle to get out of this circle. With a backpack filled of experiences and especially with endless gratefulness for everything she has back home did she hit the road again to discover more of the beauty in latin America.