Gina Larios

Administrative Assistant

Administrative Assistant 

Gina Larios began her academic career at the American School in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where she had the privilege of receiving a bilingual education. She graduated in 1999 from a private university, "José Cecilio del Valle" with a Degree in Graphic Design. Since that time she has been employed by Metromedia, GBM and New Horizons; the last two as a computer instructor. She was also the Executive Secretary to former First Lady Aguas Ocaña and was most recently the Administrative Assistant for the Interamerican Restoration Corporation (IRC)/Torch Mission. Gina joined the Mi Esperanza Staff officially in September of 2007. 
 
Gina's heart has been involved for many years in volunteer efforts to serve her people. She works closely alongside her parents where they direct a non-profit organization, Cadena de Amor (Chain of Love), which is involved in medical-dental missions. She volunteers in projects with the organization and serves on their board. 

“Working with Mi Esperanza means making a real difference in women’s lives. It’s an opportunity to grow and share hope. Every day, I’m reminded of the impact we can have when we come together with a shared purpose and passion.”

Aurora Romero

Production Manager

Production Manager

Aurora Romero graduated with a business degree from UNITEC University. Her first job was as a restaurant manager, where she discovered how much she enjoyed teamwork and serving people.

She has also been a credit manager at COFINOL and an elementary school teacher at various schools, where she discovered her passion for teaching and training others.

She is currently enrolled at the Universidad Pedagógica Francisco Morazán, pursuing a new degree in basic education. 

As a bilingual professional, she has been part of the North Carolina-based organization Live Again Ministries, serving as a translator during in-country mission trips for 16 consecutive years. 

“I always prayed for a job where I could really see a change in people, helping Honduras be a better place. I found it in Mi Esperanza. I´ve witnessed how women can change their lives when given the chance. It´s a blessing to be part of it.”

— Aurora Romero

Reina Viera

Sewing Maquila Manager & Sewing Instructor

Sewing Maquila Manager & Sewing Instructor 

Reina is a great example of what our organization is working for.  In 2006 she came to Mi Esperanza as a student and started working in the sewing shop, showing her abilities and high-quality work. When a supervisor´s position was open, Reina was the right choice.

Since January 2017, she has guided the artisans who work in the sewing Maquila.  Her talents have also been applied in the sewing school. She is very proud and enthusiastic about her first experience as a teacher, having the opportunity to train and inspire other women.

“I´m very thankful for Mi Esperanza. It´s an honor and very satisfying to be able to give my knowledge to other women who want to learn and make their lives better.”

— Reina Viera

Paola Martinez

Cosmetology Instructor

Cosmetology Instructor

Jensy Paola Espinal Martinez graduated from Mi Esperanza’s beauty school in 2009 and started a beauty salon in a small section of her house. Throughout 2010 and 2011, Paola grew her salon business and achieved every goal she set out to accomplish regarding her salon, including legally naming it PAO PAO (Pow Pow). She also agreed to offer her salon as a location for Mi Esperanza students to fulfill their internships.

In February 2012, Paola joined the Mi Esperanza staff as our beauty school instructor, teaching a morning and an afternoon class three times a week. Her salon is doing amazingly well, and she schedules the Mi Esperanza classes around her salon hours. Additionally, she was able to buy a car using a micro-loan from Mi Esperanza so that she could move more effectively between her two jobs and can travel to her client’s homes with her salon business. In 2022 Paola bought an apartment in Tegucigalpa. Paola is a great addition to the Mi Esperanza family because her story helps Mi Esperanza students see that the education and training Mi Esperanza provides, combined with hard work, results in hope, empowerment, opportunity, and success.

“Mi Esperanza changed my life. I was taught, and now I´m able to share and work on what I love. It´s a blessing and an honor to receive women who want to grow and are brave enough to come here and work for a change. I thank God for the opportunity to help them achieve their dreams.”

Aracely Valasquez

Office Manager

Office Manager

Aracely is our center support employee.  She was a graduate of our computer class in 2013 and came to work at Mi Esperanza in 2014.

Because her daughter's school was so far from home, she did not have the resources or time to travel back and forth by bus each day. She began volunteering her time to help us organize our sewing maquila while she waited for her daughter to finish school.   She soon proved herself a huge asset to our team, and we brought her on as a paid employee. Aracely serves in many capacities; office support staff and sewing maquila support staff. She helps in the on-site store and is our textile hand-printing artisan.  She is always ready to learn something new and expand her talents.

 Aracely is married and has two daughters, Xermaina and Ashley Sophia.  Her top priority is her daughter’s education.  With her job at Mi Esperanza, her daughter Xermaina is currently studying graphic design at university. Sophia is enrolled in a private/bilingual school for which she is so proud.  Aracely often speaks of her gratitude to Mi Esperanza for giving her the opportunity to work and provide a better education for her daughter, knowing it will make a difference in Xermaina's and Ashley’s future.  

“I´m forever grateful to Mi Esperanza. My job here has made it possible for me to offer my girls private education, one of my greatest dreams. My eldest is close to finishing college, and my youngest is in a bilingual school. ”

— Aracely Valasquez

Sulema Benitez

Jewelry Studio Supervisor

Jewelry Studio Supervisor

Sulema joined the Mi Esperanza artisan team in 2015 when she was hired as part of a large train-to-work team for a jewelry order Mi Esperanza was hired to produce. Sulema's natural abilities and trainability elevated Sulema very quickly. After the production was completed, Sulema was added to the Mi Esperanza jewelry artisan group. Because of her talent and abilities, in 2017, Sulema was promoted to Mi Esperanza's Jewelry Studio Supervisor.

Sulema continues to advance her skills and mentor other jewelry artisans. Sulema is kind, joyful, and a treasured part of the Mi Esperanza staff.

“This place has been a foundation for me, helping me grow. As I´ve seen the change in me, many other women can change too. It´s amazing to see others accomplish their dreams and goals.”

— Sulema Benitez

Katia Andino

Child Learning Center lead teacher

Lead Teacher in the Mi Espernza’s on-site child learning center

Katia Andino is a graduate of Unah University. She holds a degree in Psychology.

In 2015 in Katia's town of Santa Ana, Mi Esperanza hired 65 women and trained them to complete a production order of 85,000 bracelets. Katia applied for one of the spots to earn an income while she was working on her degree.

Because of her connections with Mi Esperanza working on our production team, Katia heard about a computer technology instructor opening. Katia applied and began her teaching career in 2017.

Katia takes great pride and is grateful to have the opportunity to share her computer knowledge with women who have never had the chance to pursue their desire to learn. Katia shared, "Many Honduran women start taking care of their homes and children at a young age, making it almost impossible to get an education. It's hard for a mother to help their children with homework when she has not received an education. Computer literacy helps them have access to a vast amount of information."

In 2023 Katia became the lead teacher in the Rilyn Harper Child Learning Center, Mi Esperanza’s on-site daycare. Katia holds a degree in psychology and is happy to be in an area where she can put her degree to work. Katia is a compassionate, dedicated teacher and a valued part of the Mi Esperanza staff.

“Mi Esperanza has been a great blessing. I was given the chance to teach and now serve children. I feel great knowing that I contribute to Mi Esperanza´s students going to class with the peace of mind that their kids are being taken care of and learning, helping them have a better life.”

— Katia Andino

Daniela Martinez

Assistant Teacher at the Mi Esperanza on-site child learning center

“This is my family; this is a place of love. I’ve been able to grow with the help of other women who have inspired me to grow and be all I can be.”

— Quote Source

Child Learning Center assistant teacher

Daniela is married and a mother to Ashely. In 2018 Daniela joined our jewelry artisan team. She immediately showed how skilled and hardworking she was and became a valuable part of the team. In January 2023, Daniela changed positions and became the co-teacher in our new child learning center. She and Katia are a fabulous team. Daniela always has a smile and encouraging words for her co-workers. Daniela aspires to continue her formal education, and her dream is to enroll in university and earn a marketing degree. Working at Mi Esperanza has made that dream come closer to reality (and all of us at Mi Esperanza are cheering her on to her goal.)

Ximena Lagos

Computer Instructor

Ximena Jackeline Lopex Lagos grew up with Mi Esperanza as a part of her life. Her mother, Aracely, graduated from our computer course in 2013 and joined our staff in 2014 as the office manager. Ximena spent her afternoons at the center after school as a young girl.

In January 2025, Ximena accepted the position of Computer Technology Instructor as a part-time job as she continued her formal education. She loves helping women achieve their goals of learning and bettering themselves. Ximena is happy for the opportunity to give back to an organization that has had a significant impact on her family.

You can read more of Ximena and Aracely's story in the staff section of the website.

“The job and opportunities that Mi Esperanza has given me have given me faith in myself. I now know I have the strength to make a future for myself.”

— Ximena Lagos