Interview about Sewing Project

June NY/HELP Trip

HONDURAS - June, 2018

When Honduran political unrest forced the cancellation of the winter, 2018 trip, a second trip was scheduled for June, 2018.  

The members of the June team consisted of Connie Frisbee Houde,  Shelsea Ochoa, Judy Toner,  Justo Gonzalez , and Scott Reinhart.  The trip’s objectives primarily focused on gathering information and local input regarding the sewing project and how to support the schools.  Also, and always an important trip objective, seeing and being seen by our Honduran partners.  Everywhere we went we were told repeatedly how important it was for the inhabitants of the mountain to see our faces, walk with us, and work together to make life better on the mountain.

The June 3-10 trip was especially work intensive.  Three members of the team spent the first three days hiking to individual communities/schools that make up the lower villages, while the other two members did some much needed painting at the clinic.  The lower villages crew enjoyed the hospitality of Norma & Jose’s home and also attended a lower villages community meeting (w/Joel).  Throughout the week, Connie and Shelsea spread the light by distributing solar lights to schools and homes.  Judy’s school supplies helped to address a significant need.  Actively utilizing their Spanish fluency, Shelsea and Justo not only translated for those of us who were “uno-lingual”, but immersed themselves into interfacing with our Honduran friends.  A long line of mothers and their children were provided blessings courtesy of Reverend Justo. The entire team attended a community ceremony celebrating the Sewing Program’s first graduation class.  The inspiration and driving force of the sewing project, Connie, spoke at the graduation.  Our team, which was self-referred to as the FOTM (Fellowship of the Mountain), enjoyed our evenings actively engaged with others and ourselves in planning how to continue the great work of NY/Help Honduras. 

WHAT WE LEARNED:

>  The Sewing Project is making progress.  Better communication (US-Honduras) would greatly improve the rate of progress.  Connie’s leadership skills and passion for this project has energized all those involved.  The Sewing Project has the potential to greatly improve the lives of all members of the tribe.

>  After visiting many schools, meeting with teachers, it was agreed that all teachers would benefit from an in-service (lesson design, student assessment, etc.)

> Teachers expressed interest in the creation of school supply accounts at stores in Yoro

>  The lower villages have many needs and are hoping that, with our help, they can begin to address those needs.

 PLAN OF ACTION:

>  Return to Honduras (tentatively February, 2019)

>  Explore Communication Improvements

>  Expand the Sewing Program to more communities

>  Provide a one day in-service at a gathering of the teachers

>  Explore creating school supply accounts for teachers/schools

Thank you to all of you that have provided support to NY/Help.  Please know that your contributions are definitely making a difference.

Scott Reinhart

Getting Ready for June Trip

 

Judy's four duffel bags filled the back of her van on the way to the airport for the June trip to Honduras.  She and her cousin Connie, who had a similar number of duffel bags, made an arrangement with Delta Airlines.  After filling out much paperwork, Delta gave them a discount on taking the extra bags because this is a mission trip! 

The group has now safely arrived in Honduras!

JUNE TRIP TO HONDURAS UNDERWAY ON SUNDAY, JUNE 3!

Scott Reinhart sent this message, as the June NY/HELP mission group leaves for Honduras.

 

“I am feeling confident that we are well-positioned for a productive week in Honduras.  David (Makepeace) answered all the questions, and made all the arrangements that are possible from here. (Our taxi-driver) Mario and his van will be meeting us at the airport at 2 pm.  I am the last to arrive at 1:30 PM.  All of our reservations are set, project plans communicated, and mountain lodging arranged through Joel (our NY/HELP coordinator in Honduras).  We will be meeting with Joel in Yoro and hashing out the details.  Justo and Judy will go directly to the clinic.  ...  Connie, Shelsea, and I will travel to the lower villages, and arrive at the clinic on Wednesday.  …  We will need to spend time some Yoro time planning for our meetings.  

“Ginger sent the shopping list, so we will also need to do that on Monday (Yoro) knowing that the supplies will need to be organized into two portions for separate destinations.”

We will be posting messages received from the group while they are in Honduras.

Honduran Students Getting Ready for NY Visitors

NY/HELP has a group going to La Laguna, Honduras, in early June! The students at the middle school who have received scholarships from NY/HELP are making rememberances.

June Mission trip to Honduras!

The mission trip which was postponed in January due to unrest in Honduras following their presidential elections is now about to proceed!

A small group will travel to Honduras the first week of June.  Some will be working with the sewing program. In addition others will be visiting schools in several villages and taking supplies.The group will also be taking new scales, a blood pressure cuff and some medical supplies to the clinic.

As always, your prayers and your support are greatly appreciated.

Mission Trip Still Postponed

The NY/HELP Honduras trip planned for February 2018 has been postponed, due to the uncertain political situation in Honduras. We are hoping to reschedule this mission trip for later this spring.

Please pray for our friends in the communities around La Laguna -- and for ALL the people of Honduras.