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Keeping hopes alive..

MSC archived stories - November 28, 2020

I just received an unusual note from Saira (added to My Media) giving her account on the aftermath of the two hurricanes, Eta & Iota swept across Central America this month. She lives in the area served by Zinni–Neal Community Center in Copán-Ruinas, an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in Honduras.

I heard the valley surrounding San Pedro Sula, industrial capital city has suffered the most causing two rivers to breach their banks and damage to one of 5 CC – the Neal Family Community Center in Asentamientos Humanos (human settlements), inaugurated March 2012.

 

A reader responding to the Washington Post article dated Nov 26, 2020 said..

"I did some work in coastal Honduras about 10 years ago. Heart breaking poverty, beautiful beaches and country, wonderful people. I worked with folks in a sandpit village whose livelihood depended on fishing and coconuts. The fish were being depleted by large commercial operations and the coconuts were dying out from yellowing disease. The scenery was straight out of "South Pacific." The poverty, disease and addiction issues from the worst dystopian nightmare. The caste system developed under the rule of United Fruit Company still controls the country. Every time a responsible government tries to reform the system they are beaten back by the wealthy elite. We enjoy cheap bananas at the destruction of this paradise. We can and must help these people."

 

Saira’s keeping our hopes alive as they rebuild their lives affected by three emergencies of this magnitude in one year.

Comments

  1. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:22

    What a heart-breaking report, chelaka. I hope Saira and her family are safe.

    November 28, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:22

    Wow...so happy to hear that Saira is safe...but hard to hear about the damage and difficulty (lack of water and power) for so many in that area. One of my children, Yorlin, lives in Copan-Ruinas, and his last letter was telling me about the hardships brought on by the pandemic...and now this! My heart goes out to all the people in Honduras...

    November 28, 2020

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  3. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:23

    Saira's letter is difficult to read. It may take a long time for her and her family to feel safe and comfortable! Have you been able to find information about the help NGO's and the government are providing?

    November 28, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:23

    Saira's a happy and hopeful girl (some photos of her receiving bedding last year added to My Media). As NancyA said, I too felt her struggle to put into words such overwhelming turmoil they went through and survived. I understand the government is working on a three phase plan to provide immediate relief, repairs to damaged homes/infrastructure, and then “once we have a sustainable reconstruction plan, it will be presented to the international community for support." The impact is attributed to the climate change, but knowing what's happening in our children's lives gives a sense of caring for a much closer world that we all live in.

    November 28, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:23

    Yes indeed. I remembered about the two hurricanes after I found out that my shoe box(es) went to Honduras and so I think that they must have been taken to a hurricane effected area(s). I hope that the kids like the Frozen movies and Batman because that is the theme I used for each shoe box. I pack one box for a boy and the other for the girl. I hope that the sponsored children, their family, and their friends will all be safe and sound this Holiday season. My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

    November 28, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:24

    Thanks Jennifer for sharing about your OCC (Operation Christmas Child) shoeboxes. Each box is unique and given to a child, which makes all the excitement of finding out your surprise gift by that child in Honduras. I like the idea and learned how Samaritan's Purse does it here in the UK – [youtu.be/E5VVDymhGr4]

    November 28, 2020

    ReplyDelete
  7. chelaka25 March 2025 at 20:24

    Thank you for sharing. I am also very worried about my child Emely who lives near San Pedro Sula ("Vida Nueva" community center). Last time I heard from her was when I received her Extra Gift reply a few months ago. She lives with her mom and sister on a very low income. A lot has happened to this country and I hope at least everyone is safe.

    November 29, 2020

    ReplyDelete

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