Honduras: COVID-19 Updates

Update, March 2022

We are continuing to support ongoing projects with funds each year to help the needs of the medical clinic and the community.

Family Missions International: $5,000 for education and supplies for children in 7th Grade are needed due to the fact that school is no longer free for students after 6th Grade.

HOPe has been involved with the Sisters in Choloma in Honduras for twenty years. Choloma is a settlement of people living in poor conditions on the outskirts of San Pedro Sula, the second-largest city in the country. The area lacks proper roads, and domestic, alcohal and drug abuse are common concerns.

HOPe helped in two areas: education and healthcare. In education, we provide funding for uniforms and books required for attending the public schools, and in healthcare we support the operations of the clinic.

See update below for Sister Renee Duignan, the Program Director. In 2020, HOPe provided $31,000 to support their work.

Previously, HOPe funded 80% of the construction costs of the Casa Visitacion Center (a multi-use facility) that is a centerpoint of the community.

Updates from Sr. Renee during COVID-19, June, 2020.

Our Integrated  Health Project “Casa Visitación Centre” remained open until the third week of March. We are fortunate to receive a container late last year from the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, U.S.A. which has masks, gloves, and gowns to protect our staff and volunteers. We shared it with local groups and neighbors.

In April, we worked from our homes for our various programs. Some patients consulted with our Doctor by telephone. Thirty (30) families in our Home Based Care program were visited and supplied with food, medicines and other medical supplies. Staff and volunteers continue to monitor thirty-five (35) children who suffer from malnutrition. The Project continues as in past years to provide school supplies and school fees to 150 children from deprived backgrounds.  

Many families comply with social distancing as required, but for others it is not possible, living as they do in small quarters/shacks in deprived areas where water is also in short supply. Domestic violence and abuse are on the increase. Some people with the infection or suspects are experiencing discrimination.

The porch of our house had been a hive of activity making up food baskets for the impoverished in our area.

While in general people live with fear and anxiety, they are also looking out for each other and sharing information.  Many families here depend on remittances from relatives in the USA and Spain, most of whom are illegal migrants and now also without work.

At the beginning of May, we reopened the Center and continue our services. We had to employ a second Doctor to care for the patients in the Dispensary.  There is also an outbreak of Dengue at present and with no public transport people are depending on us for help. We are grateful to all of you in HOPe and want you to know your donation is being put to good use. Thanks to each and everyone for making  it possible for us to continue this service.

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More background:

In 2009, HOPe also donated a container filled with a variety of much needed items such as school supplies, medical supplies and canned food.