Honduras Trip – Day One – HO370

Day One – HO370
October 17, 2014
San Pedro Sula, Hondruas

We arrived in Honduras around Noon CST. We were greeted by our Compassion Host, Alexis and a couple of the translators. I was glad to see Alexis again, and also Joel. After loading up the bus, with both people and luggage we headed to the airport to drop off our luggage real quick and then head to HO370 for our first Compassion Center visit.

HO370 – CSP

We headed to HO370 to visit the Child Survival Program (CSP), and meet the mothers and infants in the program. The CSP program is new in Honduras, and started January 15^th, 2014. The CSP’s are in the areas that have the most need, so all of the centers are currently in the San Pedro Sula area.

We were greeted by the mothers and infants when we arrived. The mothers had signs (large name signs) with our names on them. We were to find our name and our mother that was there to greet us. I found my name, and was not sure if the baby girl was being held by her mother or older sister. I found out that her name was “Alisa”, so close to mine, that was so neat. She was being held by her mother, who is 16 years old. She looked like a child herself.

After learning a little bit about her, we were all lead to the center of the center, and sat down to be welcomed to the center. They were so happy to see us. We were their first visitors from outside of the country. They all had great big smiles. There are 46 mothers in the program, ages 16 to 40 years old. Currently they have no waiting list for mothers wanting to be in the program. About half of the mothers in the program are single mothers.

Maria, the director of the CSP, helps the mothers learn how to take care of the children. The mothers in the program receive a medical check-up every six (6) months. They provide transportation to the pregnant mother to their doctor appointments. They check the mothers and infants for malnutrition, and work with the mothers to learn more about nutrition for themselves and their children. They are also encouraged to breast feed their infants. If a mother is needing assistance, the will bring the family a “Family basket” with food.

Maria and the other leaders in the program do weekly home visits to the mothers and their families. They have a group visit at the center once a month. This encourages the mothers to emotionally support each other, and to work together to help their children. The biggest need for these mothers is the teaching of how to take care of their babies, how to clean their babies and their homes, and the need for spiritual lives.

The CSP program is not a direct one-to-one sponsorship program like the Child Correspondence program (CCSP). The cost of sponsorship is $20 per month, and can be directed towards a particular center if they have the program.

The children are in the program from pregnancy through age 3, or when the mother has a job that will financially support the family. Some mothers have left the program, because they wanted to give their slot to another mother who needed it more. The CSP works with the mothers and infants to help the entire family.

Mother Testimony

Milcen Funez is one of the mothers in the program, and she gave a testimony of how the program is helping her and her family. She is a single mother of four children, 8 year old son who is in the CCSP, a five year old son, a 3 year old daughter, and her 18 month old son who is in the CSP program.

Milcen said she wanted to thank the Lord for her giving this testimony. The CSP program has helped her with her children, and how to express herself to the baby, and how to attend to her other children. She is very thankful for the medical check-ups. She went on to tell us why these medical check-ups and assistance are so important to her.

Milcen’s mother Martina, was recently diagnosed with “cancer of the womb”, and they need $1500 US to have the surgery. Well, that might as well be a million, as that is more than they make in an entire year. As all of us American’s are prone to think, let’s get together and raise the $1500 US, but that is only part of the issue at hand.

The other issue, is there is a shortage of medical doctors that can perform the surgery, and it could be a year before there is a surgeon available. So they not only have to have the funds, but also have a surgeon available to do the surgery. Now, you would think that, ok, that is not too bad, but there is a third issue that can delay the surgery. Third there is a shortage of medications. Their medications are not regulated like they are in the U.S. Patients will go to the doctor and tell them they are sick, so they can get the medications, in case they need them. Also, there is a lot of dishonest people, and they redirect the drugs elsewhere.

So, if Martina is lucky, she will have the money, the surgeon, and the medications needed, to be able to have the surgery. It takes a lot of prayers that she will be able to get well. A diagnosis like this could be a death sentence for these patients. Milcen is so happy that her son and she are getting the checkups to keep them healthy. She understands the importance of this benefit.

After Milcen’s testimony and several questions, we were ready for lunch, it was after 3pm, and many of our group had not eating since breakfast, so we were hungry.

Lunch at HO370

The center was so happy to be feeding us. We were served Baleadas a common meal in Honduras. They can be served for breakfast or lunch, or dinner. The Baleadas consist of a thick tortilla, and then we had the option to add to it, refried black beans, scrambled eggs, shredded cheese, avocado, plantains, grated queso duro (a hard salty cheese) and mantequilla (much like sour cream). You fold in half, and eat like a taco. It was very good and very filling, I ate only one.

After we finished eating, and visiting for a little while, we were ready to go to our home visit of the parents from the center.

The church had hired some military soldiers to provide us with an extra level of safety while we were at their center, both days. One soldier went with each of the four groups to the home visits.

Home Visit

My Group went to the home of a woman whose baby is in the program. She is very thankful for all the help. We went into her home, which was a small building of about 7 foot x 12 foot. At one end was a full-size mattress with a twin mattress on the side. The mother stated that there are 8 people that live in that home, her and her husband, and six children.

When we arrived at her home, she was getting everything straighten up for us. She was very proud to show us her home. One thing we do when we go on home visits, is to bring them a bag of food that they can use. It is usually enough for the family for a week. She was very thankful, and appreciated the food, and the treats for the children.

As we left and were walking back to the bus, we talked with each other, and appreciated our finished floors, and the places for our children to play. She lives in a very hilly area, and you would not be able to let your baby out of sight for any time, as they could get hurt very easily. We always worry about how clean our homes are to keep our children safe, and the poor in Honduras usually do not have a floor, other than the dirt ground. I could not imagine my children or grandson growing up in such an environment. 

Family picture from our home visit.  Her oldest son joined us. Her husband was not home for the visit.

End of Day 1

Day one was quickly coming to a close, and we were heading back to the hotel, to get ready for dinner. We would be going back to HO370 in the morning for our Vacation Bible School type activities and time with the children.

For dinner, we went to a restaurant chain, Baleadas, and got to figure out what we wanted on our Baleadas. I ordered two, with eggs, chicken, beans, cheese and sour cream. I ate one, and could only eat about ½ of the second. They are very inexpensive food to eat. One with meat costs L37 or about $1.75 US. Not bad for a good meal, rounded with everything. You could get one without the meat for L20 or less than a dollar US.

Back to debrief and review the day, and get ready for the next day. By the time I laid my head down on the pillow, I had been up for 24 hours straight, not something I usually do. I was not even really tired, because I was enjoying myself so much. I slept soundly.

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Follow me as I write about
– Day 2 – VBS Day at HO370
– Day 3 – Church Service at HO367
– Day 4 – Fun day at the Beach
– Day 5 – Birthday Day with Sharon & Nayeli.

Next trip is to Nicaragua, in May 2015!