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| Hampden-Sydney College Honduras Trip 2007 |
News/Updates: |
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Jan, 2007 - (Audio & Video Diaries) For the 8th time in 5 years the men from Hampden-Sydney College partnered with Rivers Of The World. This trip marked the 4th consecutive trip to Honduras to continue working with Israel Gonzalez and La Comunida Cristiana in Honduras. The 18 students and alumni traveled by van and jetliner to San Pedro Sula where Israel and his nephew Fabricio Osorio met the team. Some of the team has been coming to Honduras since the beginning of the new clinic construction several years ago. For others, this trip marked the first time they have traveled with ROW. Hampden-Sydney College seniors Justin Azar and Gardner Meek spent a morning in Taulabe with Aaron Marks '98 and Dr. Floripe Gonzalez. Azar worked with Floripe in the current medical clinic while Marks and Meek spent the morning in the dental clinic. All three rejoined the group in the afternoon and spoke of their experiences. Marks noted the need for sterile equipment while Gardner Meek was surprised to see how much dental education is needed to ensure that children and adults take care of their teeth. Justin Azar commented on the severity of some of the symptoms presented by Floripe's patients by adding "It was amazing. People weren't coming in for a sore throat or a cold. They were coming in with Hepatitis. They couldn't afford to come in for little issues, so the little issues turn into much more serious ones." The work site was divided into groups: one to move dirt and level the front parking area; another to dig, level, and lay the driveway; a third to dig sand from the river, transport it to the site and sift it; a fourth to mix concrete; and a fifth to spend time in El Cerrón preparing the church site for the rest of the group to assist in building the wall and steps of that structure. Members of the team brought down hundreds of educational packets donated by residence halls at Hampden-Sydney College, The Collegiate School in Richmond, Virginia, J.H House Elementary School in Conyers, Georgia, and First United Methodist Church in Salem, Virginia. Children's knit hats were made by the women of the Presbyterian Home in Lexington, South Carolina and the Ya-Yas of Burkeville, Virginia. The hats were given out to infants and expectant mothers in the more remote mountain villages. One of the many highlights includes a soccer game between the Hampden-Sydney College students and the best players from El Cerrón. After HSC took an early the local heroes came back to upset the out of town hot shots by scoring the game winning goal just before the sun set behind the mountains and Lake Yojoa. The group then lined up the children and handed out educational packets and knit caps. The great work that Israel Gonzalez and ROW supporters are doing in Honduras continues when volunteers are safely back home. Children need school supplies, clothes, and shoes. Medical and dental teams can operate with Dr. Floripe Gonzalez in the villages where they can help educate families on the importance of hygiene, dental care, and eating a healthy diet. The need for medical and dental teams is tremendous as medical care is expense and generally out of reach for villagers. The medical clinic will be operational within the next year, but the project will continue on for years to come so that the clinic can offer more than just medical and dental support. If your church, school, or civic group is looking for a project to support this may be the one for you. Groups of any size and experience will be welcomed and put to work by Israel and his staff. God Bless, Wes Lawson
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Rivers of the World is a
non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. ROW.org is maintained by Tarver
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