(apologies for taking a while to post these - - had computer probs!)
From: David Ashby
Good evening to all our HHK supporters,
The Jungle School recently held a graduation ceremony for eight children, 3 of whom graduated from 6th grade and 5 from kindergarten. The Jungle School in the Cangrejal River basin, also has a branch at the
Hogar de Amor, so the 2 of graduates from the Hogar were at the ceremony too. Lots of parents and friends attended and enjoyed food, music and games after the graduation. These are the 1st graduates from our school, and we are proud of them all.
Last week, I went to Tela as the Padrino for an SOS Children’s Village girl who was graduating from High School there. I took along some SOS tias (housemothers), and a number of SOS kids, all girls, who were going to a 3 day camp in Tela. Between the SOS van and my car, there were 30 girls on this trip. Jessica Garcia and Panmy Martinez both graduated in the afternoon and were radiant in their gowns.
At the Hogar, we had a going away party for our volunteer Lissane from Holland, with cake, coke and the speeches that all of the kids like to give at these events. We appreciate very much Lisanne’s help with our “kinder” program at the Hogar de Amor. (Thanks Lisanne - - we miss you!)
In the recent container sent by Karl Ralian from Wisconsin, there were many items of benefit to HHK, as well as to the SOS Childrens Village, Valerie Nelson (Familias Saludables)and Peggy Stranges on Roatan (work with HIV patient and a new hospital for the poor), Cam O'Brien (Roatan school projects), Dr Black (our HHK Dr), the local Swiss Hospital (provides reduced cost care to HHK children), Charlie and Amalia (Grandmas Kids program in El Porvenir), Farm of the Child (orphanage in Trujillo) and several other recipients.
Two of our Hogar boys, Wilmer and Venancio made a trip to El Progresso in the Lisa Lopes Foundation truck with "tio" Julio to for surgery to correct their cross-eye problems. This was arranged by Anne Fowler of El Porvenir, who has an eye clinic in El Progreso. The operations were carried out by Dr Judy Newman, a visiting eye specialist from the USA, and happily, they were very successful. This was very important to these boys' self esteem about their appearance.
For those sponsors of our HHK children who make an annual donation for their sponsorship, we invite you to donate online, or send your checks to Helping Honduras Kids, 305 Vineyard Town Ctr #253, Morgan Hill, Ca 95037. Please make your checks out to Helping Honduras Kids and indicate your wishes as to how the funds should be used, if appropriate. We thank each of you for your loyal and generous support of the more than 180 disadvantaged children in 2007 and look forward to a mutually satisfying relationship in 2008.
In closing, we want to wish each of you a Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo from each of us in La Ceiba, Honduras.
Dave Ashby
President and Founder Helping Honduras Kids Ayudando Niños Hondureños
