Adios Engel
Our five-year-old angel (Angel Aldair), who had been living with us for three and a half years, was put up for adoption. His adopting mother, who comes from Madrid, was allowed to pick him up on his birthday and we had to say "goodbye" forever.
For all of us, this day was very special. On one hand, we were able to celebrate a great birthday party with cakes, piñata and a water balloon fight. On the other hand, the farewell was very difficult. Despite the certainty that he will be doing well in Spain and that he has found a loving adoptive family, it hurts us when our "yo quiero ser ..." family gets torn apart. We have no choice but to be grateful that we were allowed to accompany him for several years and we keep these beautiful memories in our hearts.
Graduation 2016
With great joy and in high anticipation did the school year 2016 finally come to an end and ALL children brought home good to very good grades. For us it is always a day full of celebrations when the children receive their grades. This year, 8 students had a grade point average, over the two semesters, of 5.4 or higher. 15 students lie between 4.8 and 5.3. Only two have a total score of less than 4.8, which is nonetheless still very satisfying knowing their walks of life. In the secondary school, the annual report was celebrated with a mess. Daniel received a medal as best pupil of his class. Also Luz Marina, Fernando and Yulisse received a diploma, because they belong to the class‘ top pupils as well.
Hostin and Keysha successfully completed their preschool years, which was awarded with a lovely diploma, and are now qualified to attend primary school after the big holidays. The two of them are impatiently looking forward to their first day at school.
Vacation in Santa Rosa de Copán
Since our October holidays in Santa Rosa de Copán were great on all of us, we decided to go to the mountains again, for one week, with everybody living at the childrens’ home.
The girls helped to clean the construction site and the boys were very busy with finishing the many details still remaining to be taken care of. The timing wanted it, that we could celebrate the first birthday party in Santa Rosa. The large hall was turned into a disco and we also found an ideal place for the "Piñata Ceremony". The atmosphere was great and everyone enjoyed themselves. The change of scenery was very pleasant. During the days, however, a cold front reached us and the temperatures dropped to 18 degrees. Nonetheless, everyone had great fun and appreciated the rather refreshing days.
First Coffee Harvest
When we started building the vocational training centre, we realized that 5 hectares of land will not be used for construction. Upon that we decided to plant coffee bushes on this fallow land. Two years later, we were now able to reap our first coffee beans.
This first harvest was not very extensive, but in the symbolic sense it is monumental. A first success for our daily work with our children, because "every thought, every word and every action is a seed - seeds whose fruit is harvested sooner or later ....."
Our Volunteer Susanne
Susanne Sorg, a trained hairdresser and housewife, has decided to do an voluntary service in order to support a humanitarian aid project on-site. The 55-year-old has already helped on the first evening of her arrival wherever help was needed. During her stay, we soon realized that she was a really passionate housewife, she sewed the school uniforms, helped in the kitchen with baking typical Italian pizzas, delicious Christmas biscuits, braids and cakes, and even gave all children a new haircut. As a former hairdresser, she still manages her skilled trades and made many children's hearts happy with fulfilling the desire hair cut.
For us it was an immense privilege to have her accompany and support us during this time. We have found a suitable life verdict for Susanne in the name of our children: "There are people who give you with words and gestures in a moment so much value that others can not give you all their lives."
F.E.M.A.C
The organization FEMAC stands for strength, hope, mission, joy and affection. They pursue the goal of providing assistance to children and young people in need and to promote education. The group visited us in the morning and this visit was an unforgettable occasion. Unexpectedly, they brought along two clowns, who were incredibly funny and spread a super-fun mood. We all had to bend over with laughter, even some laughter tears rolled over the cheeks of the children. Since they also promote education, they have brought each child a schoolbag filled with school supplies, which we put aside for the next school year.