Something practical - Sponsor a child

While the team were out in Honduras, we got to know more about the Manuelito Project and the staff and kids that it supported.

As well as letting the young people know that they were loved by spending time with them, and running a holiday club for them (with games, craft and amateur dramatics), we wanted to continue that contact once we got back to the UK.

So, quite a lot of the team have decided that we would sponsor one of more of the kids for a small amount each month (£22).  It can also include writing letters/cards, which can then be posted or sent when a team goes out from St Peter's, plus hopefully in the near future, the option to send emails, and hear back from the child as well.

We were able to let them know before we came back, and the looks of joy and happiness on their faces was a reward in itself, as the kids don't always think they are worth it, and encouragement like this is always good. Also, in spanish, the nearest word the Manuelito Project has to "sponsor" is "padre de dios" which means "God parent".

You can also sponsor a child who is trying to go to the A.F.E. school (near the waste tip) as well, and it will help them immensely as well.

Each child needs 10 sponsors in order to be full supported (and most now have 1), as both Projects currently have to rely on regular donations for financial support.

Please click on the links below to find out more:

Sponsor a child at A.F.E.
Sponsor a child at Manuelito project (UK)
Sponsor a child at Manuelito project (US)

Video - Child of the streets

On the last evening we were there, the children and the staff gave us an evening of testimonies and dances, which was great. One of them was called "Child of the streets" and you can see a version of it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNoAmi_Bgi0

Photos - the clinic building at Manuelito Project

Here are some photos of the new building (to house a clinic) at the Manuelito Project, which was helped to be built by members of the St Peter's team on their first visit here in 2011!

It's not complete, due to some delays, but we hope it will be soon.

The building from the outside

A space (to be partitioned) which may be for the Clinic

A toilet and shower

A room which may be used as a dormitory for visiting teams

Another room

Photos - something to start you off

Thanks for popping back, and here are some photos from the trip, with more to added soon.

Ellie from the team has also created a great video which we hope to link/ add to soon.

Enjoy.

Our trusty steed for the time we were out there, driven by the capable Carlos

Getting ready for our Pirates Holiday Club

 A very British evening (complete with music and Beef stew w/ dumplings)

Blocks of Sugar, made from sugar cane sap

Day 12 - back home in the UK

Well, the team has made it back safe and sound to the UK, apart from the planned trip of two members to Mexico.

It was a long flight back from Houston, and I think we could all do with some sleep, though we were been advised to eat some food and not sleep (too much) until the evening.

I think we had all been misisng some things while in Honduras, and the following has been a great help for some of us in overcoming the jetlag

yes, that is tea made in the british tea ceremony of kettle -> teapot -> in cup with milk.

I am sure there will be more added here, and you may have already seen some photos posted on facebook and our twitter account as well.

Hope to see some of you on sunday morning (10.30am @ St Peter's) for our Honduras-themed service, where the team will be talking about their experiences and showing a video put together by one of the team.

Day 10 - The Last Day

Today we went to a local tourist destination called the "Valley of the Angels." This involved walking around lots of similar shops that sold lots of similar boxes and definitely-genuine football shirts.
There were also machetes, which we decided not to buy on advice that we may get put into a Honduran prison cell for the night if our luggage were to be searched.

There were also gifts for the mentally ill: a wide array of dead frogs that had been dried out and nailed into positions to look like humans. I decided to buy coffee rather than pay money for a dead reptile playing a xylophone.

In the evening we watched the kids give us a goodbye performance, which involved some dancing and singing. Then a few kids gave some emotional goodbye speeches which made us all want to stay for longer.

However, we decided that we probably should leave seeing as we've booked the tickets and all.

We went outside for a bonfire where we roasted (set fire to) marshmallows and the team were all given thank you cards. Except Pippa (who got hers on friday).

The trip has been amazing, but a part of me is looking forward to being on the right - as in 'correct' side of the road. (Dylan)

Our flight tomorrow is at 11.40 in the morning our time (or so I've been told) and we will be arriving at Heathrow early Friday morning. Thank you everyone for reading the blog and supporting us and the home financially and through prayer. Keep checking the blog and Twitter over the coming days as we should be posting some reflections and also some details about how to support the home and children through sponsorship!!! I will also try and put as many pictures up on both as soon as we get a more reliable Internet connection! Much love, Sam

Word from Dunc

Driving up to the dump yesterday with the team from St.Peter's was one of those experiences that will remain with me for a very long time.  As we wound our way up the dusty track that leads to the plateau where the trucks dump their loads of rotting rubbish, we found a place to park the bus and began to distribute food and water to the adults and children who are trying to eek out and existence earning 50p a day from recycling rubbish.

On our way up to the dump I was talking with Jimmy who decided to come up to the dump with us.  Jimmy is 13 and has been attending the AFE School for the last 8 years with his little brother Jimmy.  Both boys have to work on the dump at weekends and after school in order to support their mum and keep food on the table.

Jimmy (photo left) and I were talking about what happened the day before when a group of armed men drove up to the dump and open fire at a group of people.  Two people died instantly and two are now seriously ill in hospital.  Jimmy told me how one of the bullets whizzed just an inch away from his leg and lodged itself in the rubbish.

He was lucky to be alive as one the older boys that usually works with him was only 15 and was killed in the shooting.  He was obviously in a state of alert and was sticking very close to us.

Life for these children is often defined by poverty, violence, abuse, hunger and hard work.  Enjoying what many of us have experienced of childhood is not an option for these children.  Their life expectancy is not that great and even worse for girls who always seem to suffer the most.

In countries like Honduras nearly 25% of all pregnant women are aged 10-14 years and 400 of those girls die each year as a result of being pregnant so young.

It is hard to understand how a child can cope with all that is thrown at them but they manage to smile and still hope rises in their hearts.

The team from St.Peter's have sown a lot into so many hearts during this trip and I have seen how this has made hope rise in so many lives.

Thank you team for coming to serve and love those who many turn away from.

Dunc Dyason