Our Whole Heart Is All In
Lori Connell
Finished orders for The Honduras Project
In every culture...everywhere... the highest priority for women is to educate their children. They know, just like us, that education is a game changer in the fight against poverty. Sadly, most women in the developing world cannot afford to send their children to school. This is why the Back to School Program of The Honduras Project (thehondurasproject.org) is so very important and why we are honored to be a partner in this project. For everyone at Mi Esperanza this is our favorite time of year and our favorite production project!
Each year our maquila is contracted by The Honduras Project to make uniforms that will will be given, along with school supplies, to children who are at risk of not entering school for the first time or not returning to school. Although public education is free, there are costs for school supplies and uniforms that families living on less than $5.00 per day simply cannot afford. Often, mothers are left to choose between children because she can only find the funds to send one child at school. We feel like this is a choice no mother should ever have to make and we feel education should not be a luxury but the right of every child.
Saraita working on cubayeras (uniform shirts) 2016
Helping mothers care for their children keeps families together and gives them the tools and resources to raise a future generation who is able to change the cycle of generational poverty within their families.
This project is a natural extension of what we do every day. We know the value of education and the difference it makes in families when mothers become educated. With training and a skill set they begin a new cycle, one of education and advancement on the road to economic stability. Families are free to make new choices that charter them in new directions with new possibilities. Helping send children to school through free supplies and uniforms is just another way we can help women and increase educational opportunities in families living in poverty.
This year our women have made 400 uniforms and 230 additional cubayeras (shirts)! This has meant 3 months of work for our women. They are grateful for what this means financially for their families, and at the same time, each uniform is sewn with great love knowing it will be worn by a Honduran child in need. Our hearts are all in on this project!
Romilla working on uniforms-2016
Please contact us or Mark Connell at thehondurasproject.org if you would like more information on The Back to School program and how you can help.
Peace,
Lori