ORPHAN CRISIS IN HONDURAS
In Honduras, more than half the people live below the national poverty line. Malnutrition, inadequate housing and diseases are prevalent, contributing to serious problems for its citizens. San Pedro Sula is located in the northwestern part of Honduras in the Ulúa River valley. San Pedro Sula is the second largest city in Honduras and is considered one of the most dangerous places on earth outside of a war zone primarily due to gang violence. This violence is an increasing problem and the cause of poor living conditions for children. Poor and rural communities lack policing and security. Therefore, these areas have become popular drug and human trafficking hubs. Unfortunately, Honduras has a startling population of orphaned and abandoned children, with an estimated 170,000 children without a forever family. These children risk being recruited into gangs, and forced into child labor and human trafficking rings. They need the immediate safety of homes like Hope House to protect them from the vulnerabilities they would otherwise face.
HOPE HOUSE
After a devastating natural disaster in a country which already suffered from extreme poverty and an excess of children on the streets, the need for a Christian Home for Children became evident. In September of 2ooo, Hogar Esperanza opened the doors to the first two children. As the home began to grow, a larger section of land was obtained outside the city. In February of 2015, the younger children were moved to the new facility and the original site was converted into transitional homes for the young people who were approaching 18 or older. A school “Academia Cristiana Esperanza” (Hope Christian Academy) was also opened in the same month. This school is designed to to ensure children of the home have access to education as well as for local children of impoverished families. Today, Hope House (Hogar Esperanza) faithfully serves approximately 20 children who are long term residents. Children at Hope House come for many reasons including death of a single parent, death of both parents, abandonment due to poverty, abuse and parents too ill to provide care. No matter the story, Hope House believes that each child deserves to be loved, and that they are not defined by their circumstances.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
Gangs and Violence
Due to gang violence fueled by the drug trade, many children are born into compromising situations where physical and sometimes sexual abuse is a weekly occurrence.
Abandonment
Many of the children who live at Hope House were found to have multiple drugs in their system at birth. Some mothers decide they cannot raise a child due to substance abuse issues or lack of stability and safety.
Destitution
Hurricane Mitch helped fuel an orphan crisis in 1998 that has grown to this day. Extreme poverty in certain areas of the country contribute to street children in Honduras.
WE BELIEVE
HOME
The Hope House facility consists of 7 buildings, which includes several dormitories, offices and a school building. They also are proud to have a protected well from which they draw their water.
EDUCATION
All the children are enrolled in school. Children in 1st-9th grade attend school on-site in their newly built school. Those in 10th grade and above attend private school off site, and take public transport. Hope house would eventually like to see all of their children complete school and successfully transition to college or a trade school.
FAITH
Jeremiah 29:11 is the theme verse for Hope House. They use this verse as a reminder and a moto. Their children are taught that they matter and fit into God’s plans and that their hope can be found in that fact. Director Angie Mcinvale Altamirano says this is what they are there to do, “to show them that hope, that one true hope, that is Christ Jesus.”
HEALTH
The children have access to proper medical care, and are always taken care of when they are sick. When a serious issue arises, they are taken to a hospital in the city. The children are served 3 nourishing meals a day, consisting of grains, dairy, vegetables and protein.