Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Another day into Tegucigalpa and our favourite driver drove us again.  He certainly knows the back roads to avoid the morning traffic and we got to the El Hogar campus, by 9.  While it is in dry season, the landscape is still very stunning.  We imagine how lushand green it must be after rainy season.

Today we had a very interesting visit to ASJ, a nonprofit focused on strengthening institutions in Honduras to provide better social justice and governance for the citizens of Honduras, particularly those in challenging circumstances.  Their work to make the election process, to improve public education, health, security institutions more effective and worthy of public trust.  One of their financial supporters is Foreign Affaires Canada.  They are very data based and promote practical improvements to the government and build momentum through press conferences and social media.  

Great to see these capable and dedicated Hondurans working to improve their country.

Thanks to Erika Skafel for arranging this visit.

We still had enough time before lunch at the school, so stopped at a very special coffee shop with delicious coffee.  (Can never get a bad one here.) We took the long way home and got a tour of the contrasting neighbourhoods in the city. Narrow streets and the city quite hilly. 

Erika didn’t neglect to take us down a few steep streets to give us a moment of two of thrill (or panic?).  We saw lots of people at the sides of the street at their little businesses trying to eek out a living selling tortillas, salty treats, fruit or clothing (usually second hand).  It is hard to describe what we saw, Hondurans working really hard to survive.  Some of it heartbreaking.

 

Meanwhile, as we drive into the yard of the primary campus, it is recess and it is a joy to see all the children playing soccer or running with their friends.  The happy squeals of playing children. 

We were around to see the end of their day as many got on the school bus and the vans, depending on where they were going.  It was a noisy but wonderful time as they all said their goodbyes and we were fortunate to get lots of hugs.  They are in desperate need to get a larger yellow school bus, as their last one just totally quit running. It would help so with all their transportation of the kids back and forth to school.

It was our turn to head home and Efrain drove us with a request to stop at a roadside place to pick up more fruit.  He made sure that he watched over Rick as he bought the fruit. 

 

Patricia, the long time cook, was waiting for us in the kitchen, and she taught us how to make tortillas.   She said we did a great job.  There are always two kids assigned in the kitchen and they helped keep us organized. 

 And then we ate them for supper!

Our evening was spent with the boys again.  Such fun.  Tonight we introduced some painting along with the puzzles and games.  Even the evening supervisor, JJ enjoyed making a card using string art.

 Our evening debrief was about culture.  Honduran culture is a vibrant, family centric blend of  Indigenous, Spanish colonial and African, characterized by strong family bonds, warm hospitality and a relaxed attitude towards time.  We wonder what Hondurans think of us!