Date:  Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:37:04 -0700 (PDT)

From: "David Ashby" 

Subject: Happy children on HHK outings
   

Good evening to all the supporters of our Helping Honduras Kids (HHK) programs,

It has been a very busy 2 weeks, since I returned from vacation in California. The volunteers at the Hogar de Amor (Childrens Home) take the children to the nearby stream to swim and play. Most Honduran children have precious little time to just be children. At the stream, the kids were all excited about trying to capture some river shrimp. 

Last week we had a 2 day visit from Mike and his son Sam from Utah. Mike is a board member of Amigos ofHonduras, a group that is actively supporting HHK. They hosted the Hogar children at Helen's Restaurant, 15 minutes away, where everyone enjoyed the pool and beach. There were also hamburgers, fries and ice cream for all. It was a great time.

 Then, last Saturday, I took a large group of children from several El Porvenir Grandma Kids programs to again visit Helen's Restaurant and swim in the pool. This is a favorite spot for all children.

On Sunday, I took 16 children from the Campesino Village (Solares Nuevos)  to Peru Beach. After some time swimming in the ocean, we came to my house to watch TV and play in the yard, followed by a trip to Popeyes for chicken and then the mall for ice cream and rides. These children almost never "escape" from the hardships of their daily lives in an area with no electricity, and with 4 mud walls and a dirt floor to serve as "home". However, there were lots of smiles on this beach outing.

Finally, over the weekend, 30 student desks were delivered to our Jungle School courtesy of a very kind local lady, Belkis Pina. The children now each have their own desk, and much more space in the classroom, and they are very happy with this special gift to the school.

We want to remind each of you of 2 very special events coming up in September. On the 10th of September, it is Childrens Day, which will be celebrated by all of our children with food, piñatas and fun, and as we are able, some small gifts. Then on the 22nd and 23rd, we will have a grand inauguration of our Hogar de Amor at the Quinta Real in La ceiba and at the Hogar in Agua Caliente, hosted by the Lisa Lopes Foundation and Helping Honduras Kids. I previously sent information on this event, and if you are able to make it, please contact Eve at volunteer@helpinghonduraskids.org.

We especially invite you to help us find sponsors for each of the special needy children in our Jungle School, Hogar de Amor and Grandmas Kids programs. Make a real difference in a child's life for just $25/month and share in their escape from poverty and hunger. Half of the 7.2 million population of Honduras are children, and the average age of a motherat the birth of her 1st child is 15 years. Children are raising children. They need your help. Please help us to help them.

Thank you for your loyal support and for caring,

Dave

www.helpinghonduraskids.org