Proyecto Familiar

Several years ago a NPH Honduras volunteer started a program called Proyecto Familiar. Proyecto was designed to give family members, who likely live in different parts of the Ranch, a chance to spend a night as a family.

Proyecto is now in nearly all the NPH homes, and something that the kids here in Honduras absolutely love. Every night, Monday through Thursday, the volunteer kitchen is taken over by two volunteers and one sibling group. The kids and volunteers usually cook dinner, make a cake, and maybe play a game. The point really isn’t the activity, but just that the family gets a chance to spend the evening just being a family.

Tonight was my first Proyecto night. It was wonderful! I forsee this potentially being one of my favorite Ranch activities. I spent the night with Angel and Merlin, two brothers ages 12 and 17.

I had a lot of fun just spending time with them, but I think the part I liked the best was watching them interact as siblings. Merlin is starting his trade training as an electrician in Tegus this year, and he will be away from the ranch for large chunks of time for the next three years.

Tonight was the last time for a while that they will get to spend together. It was nice to be able to be a part of it.

Hey Mom…

Guess what?

“Ahhh, BOO,” totally translates to Spanish. One of the babies tonight thought I was just about the funniest thing ever.

Marc and Angel

Today, after Hogar, I was reading this blog that I love called Marc and Angel Hack Life. They make lists, which I love.

One of their most recent posts was “40 Lessons for Finding Strength in Hard Times.” This last week in Honduras was about a million times easier than my first week, but there were still some very apropos reminders.

I think my favorite was #11. Partially because it is my lucky number, but also because if I can keep this in mind, this year is going to be far easier:

11. View every challenge as an educational assignment. – Ask yourself:  “What is this situation meant to teach me?”  Every situation in our lives has a lesson to teach us.  Some of these lessons include:  To become stronger.  To communicate more clearly.  To trust your instincts.  To express your love.  To forgive.  To know when to let go.  To try something new.

Fitting, no?

Talonga = Step One

Today, I had my first "charla (talk)" with someone to get the ball rolling on my Talonga plan.

Wednesday, will be charla two.

More on this later, but I am really excited.

Palabra del dia

Almohada = Pillow

 I keep having moments in Honduras where I am reminded how fortunate I am. I know it sounds cliché, but it is true.

Today, we wrapped up our “official” orientation with a visit to INFHA. INFHA is almost like the governmental alternative to NPH. It is essentially a 3-4 month holding location for children who for one reason or another have been removed from their home. Many of the kids that come to NPH, come through INFHA first.

This facility was built for 30, but it houses around 60 boys, ages 12-18. It was rough. I’m not sure how else to describe it. Many of the kids come off the street. Many will be placed at INFHA repeatedly. Addictions to crack are common, but there are no resources besides giving lots of water and chewing gum.

The kids sleep with the lights on in their dorms because they are so used to sleeping on the street. That way you are always aware of your surroundings.

They can’t have pillows. It is too unsafe.

I’m not sure why I was so struck by this, but I can’t seem to shake it. Can you imagine being 12 years old and living someplace where a pillow was too dangerous to have around?

Lucky. We are all very very lucky.