What is the Drew Honduras Project?
Student Board Member & Trip Leader Victor Perez (C’13):
I have been very involved with the Drew Honduras Project for the past three years, helping with the planning and development of volunteer trips to Honduras. From my personal experience I can say that a lot of time and effort goes into the project, but every bit of it it’s so worth it. This year we traveled to Copán, in western Honduras near the boarder with Guatemala. There we worked with many different schools from the area, handing out small toys and school supplies to the children. We also worked hauling sacks of sand up a mountain to the home of a child with a hydrocephalic condition whose family is trying to build a room onto their simple house to provide for his care. Finally, we painted the outside of a community health clinic run by our hosts and community partners, Paramedics for Children.
As we prepare for the trip every year, we tell new members that while in Honduras, they will be able to see the fruits of their labors right away, and to my amazement, this has always been the case. Every time we travel to Honduras, the thing I love most is seeing how every member realizes the meaning of the work we do there. They can see the smiles of gratitude in the children’s faces and know that whatever task they are set out to do has a significant value and a positive impact in the lives of those children. At the end of the day, knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life turns out to be a reward of its self.
This is the main reason I continue to work with the Drew Honduras Project. I love the fact that others are able to see the bigger picture, knowing that no matter how small a task we might do, the end results are far more valuable. That gives me a sense of hope.
2012 Trip member and 2012-13 Board Member Kenan Gelfond (C’14):
The trip to Honduras was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I actively learned a ton throughout the trip. I also worked hard, and most importantly I had a great time! I took away so much from this trip and I believe it has allowed me to become a better version of myself.
The group of people I went to Honduras with are a major reason why the trip was so great. There were 11 students and one professor and we really hit it off. By the end of the trip we were like one big family and we were all wishing we could stay longer. Everyone worked hard and kept a great attitude the entire time, and that really helped make the trip extra special.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast called Hacienda La Esperanza, and I absolutely loved it! The host, Rodger Harrison (who runs Paramedics for Children, the group we worked with this year), was extremely nice, and made us feel as if we were at home. They had food for us every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This wasn’t just any food either! It was homemade and a great taste of Honduras. We were immersed in the culture.
Trip member Nicolette Lynch (C’13) says:
On the last day of our trip we visited a local orphanage and little did I know that this would be the moment that would change my life forever. Upon our arrival to the orphanage we were greeted by happy, beautiful, excited little children all of whom ranged in age from about 1-5 years old (the older children were at school) and seeing their eyes light up with such joy and excitement when they saw us, made me break into tears. I cried because despite their living conditions (the orphanage reeked of urine, etc.) these children could still smile, they could still be happy, and we gave them that. The time that we spent playing, coloring and just talking with each individual child enabled them to get the one-on-one attention that I am pretty sure they rarely receive otherwise (given the amount of children living there).
Realizing that I had the power to help a child, to make them feel special, unique, wanted, and loved was and still is the most gratifying feeling in the entire world.
And here are some comments about El Hogar from long ago…
We invite previous participants to add their thoughts in the comment box below!