CASA DE ESPERANZA
Abuelo Dave's Workshop
In 2022, Casa de Esperanza announced the official opening of the "Abuelo Dave's Workshop” at our Comayagua Boys' Home. In honor of a very special supporter who passed away in March of 2020, known as Grandpa (Abuelo) Dave to many of our students in Honduras, this on-site carpentry workshop allows these students to learn safety, carpentry and metal-working skills. Our instructor, Luis, brings many years of experience along with professional instruction. Grandpa Dave would have been very happy for this as he loved to work in his carpentry shop.
HOPE. HEALING. HONDURAS.
Honduras is ranked as one of the most
corrupt countries in the World.
According to the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Honduras scored 23/100, indicating serious corruption problems. This corruption affects all areas of the country's infrastructure: education, healthcare, the economy, governmental agencies and more. Along with high rates of crime and exploitation, Honduras has faced challenges such as natural disasters. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused massive and widespread destruction in Honduras. Former Honduran President Carlos Roberto Flores said that fifty years of progress in the country had been reversed. Total losses were estimated at $3 billion USD. In 2020, Honduras again faced devastating losses of life property when Hurricanes Eta and Iota hit amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, with extremely high interest rates, citizens struggle to get by on a daily basis. This has also caused a breakdown in family structure, with many single-parent families and children being raised in orphanages.
But we believe there is hope. Read on to learn how Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope) is making a difference in Honduras.
The Importance of Education
Young adults leaving orphanages in Honduras often have little to no vocational skills, much less the basic life skills needed to live independently. Through the Comayagua Boys Project, Casa de Esperanza is teaching young men these skills while also giving them the opportunity to further their formal education.
Healthcare Issues
Very few can afford the socialized healthcare that exists in Honduras. Casa de Esperanza has been working to empower local community leaders. These leaders are able to promote disease prevention concepts and basic hygiene with the materials and supplies Casa provides.
97% of donations go directly to help in Honduras.
That other 3 percent covers administrative costs (like postage for Casa de Esperanza's newsletters).
Humble Beginnings
In the aftermath of Hurricane Mitch in 1999, Bill DeWitt, DDS went with volunteers from Western Michigan to Honduras to provide dental services and complete repairs on an orphanage. His wife Lori, a registered nurse, accompanied him on his next trip which would start them on their road to creating Casa de Esperanza.
Over the last sixteen years, Casa de Esperanza’s mission has expanded to include medical & dental assistance, vocational training, & fundamental living skills through education projects.
20 Years Later...
Today, volunteers from Casa de Esperanza continue to return to Honduras about once a year to work on a variety of projects, including dental and medical assistance, vocational training, and various construction endeavors.
Casa Needs You
Casa de Esperanza is always looking for help. From donations, to volunteers to run local events, to those willing to join a group trip, every little bit helps.