Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Always On My Mind

Hello Supporters of APUFRAM!

I'm sorry it has been such a long time since I have posted on here. If you didn't know, I am now back home in the United States. Although I have been back here for several months now, the children of Honduras are in my heart and mind every day. I have their pictures posted all around my house. Every time I look at the pictures, I smile. At the same time I am smiling, a little piece of my heart is breaking.

As I wake up and start my day, I think about the kids getting up early to do their chores before going to school. As I travel to my job as a special education teacher, I often wish I was traveling to Honduras to teach English again.  When I see soccer and baseball teams practicing in the park, I think about the kids playing soccer on dirt fields with no nets for hours at a time. In the evenings, I think about the many nights I spent watching movies and eating popcorn or having a dance party with the kids at Guadalupe and Margarita Cook. These memories often make me laugh and put me in a good mood. Sometimes, however, I cannot help but cry. The main reason I cry is because I think about the fact that the kids are not receiving visits from volunteers. I know how much they look forward to visits from groups and individuals and how sad they are when no one comes. I wish I could jump on a plane and go down there, but my job prevents that. I do plan on going on my Spring Break this year. However, I hope that in the meantime, other people will find the inspiration to travel to Honduras to experience our kids and give them the thing they need most- love.

I know that not everyone can travel to Honduras, but there are many things that can be done in the United States to help the children. Knowing that some children may not be able to come back next year if there are not enough funds breaks my heart. What APUFRAM does gives children hope and a life that they may have never thought possible. I constantly remember something a ten-year old girl told me after Christmas break- "Back home, nobody loves me or takes care of me. Here, I know that I am loved and that everyone cares about me. Next year, I don't even want to go home for Christmas." Thinking about that girl having to go back home because there is not enough money to keep her in school makes me want to win the lottery. If you can help our children in any way, please do so. There are also many ways you can help APUFRAM International that don't cost anything but time. I continue to help coordiante volunteers. Please see our current newsletter for more ways you can help.

As you go about your day, I hope that you think about the children in Honduras going about their day with APUFRAM and will consider supporting them in any way you can. I know that the kids are praying for all of us, so please keep them in your prayers as well.

Peace and Blessings,

Megan Meyer