Circumstance

I was on the bus coming back from Ceiba just the other day and two of my favorite little girls got on. Brittany and Alexa jump into my lap to sit with me. After big hugs Brittany says “Catalina, can I tell you something?” “Sure!” I say. “My daddy died” she replied.

Brittany’s dad died just a few weeks ago after being shot and killed. There are two stories explaining his death. The first is that he was being robbed (riding a motorcycle home from work) and the other is that this person who killed him, wanted his job. Either way should give you a good idea of how the economic situation is here in Honduras. Sadly, a 5 year old little girl doesn’t have her daddy anymore.

This conversation with Brittany made me think about the many families I know here in El Porvenir with heart breaking stories. Last week, I met Ondina, a middle aged woman who lost her sons, her husband and her brother. I am unaware of her full story but just 5 minutes into meeting her and asking about her life, she was in tears. This dear woman is afraid for her life. She lost everything she ever knew.

There is Danillo. Gaby’s husband. Mario. Celina. Berta’s cousin. Maria’s uncle. The list goes on. All trying to make their way for the “American Dream”. Desperately wanting to work. Their only solution? To risk their life by going to the states illegally. Tortured. Put through hell to just try and make a few bucks. And that money? Not even for them! They will send it home for their family.  I have been interviewing several women in the bead program (www.findinghopehonduras.org) just about their lives, their work, their families, etc. Wanna know what the number one answer is when I ask about jobs? “I would LOVE to work, there is just nothing available.” Here are a few answers

-          “I tried to find work in several restaurants in the city. I am 35 years old. They said they wouldn’t hire me because they are only looking for attractive 18-25 year olds.”

-          “I graduated high school with specialized studies in Accounting. However, there are no jobs hiring”

-          “I am a teacher! I have been for years. I still teach. But I don’t get paid. The government hasn’t paid its teachers in months”

-          “Honestly, I would work in whatever I found. If it meant house cleaning, I’ll do it. If it means cooking, I’ll do it. It could be office work, construction, department store assistants, selling food on the side of the road. Even though I went to high school, it really doesn’t matter, I will take whatever comes my way.”

Then there are the twins and their cousins, whom I help tutor once a week. Alejandra and Andrea are ten years old. Their mother left to the United States when they were just two, in order to provide for her children. She has been there ever since. The only mom they know is through Skype. They are living with their grandma, along with a houseful of cousins and extended family members. Their cousins, just the same, must deal with mom living so far away. Mom who cannot come visit them, if she does she will not be allowed to return to the states. Mom, whom they cannot hug.

I can’t forget about little baby Jostin. Jostin is 5 months old dealing with so much. His two main arteries are leading to only one lung, where they should be leading to both. He only receives half the oxygen that his body needs. As a result, he has blue fingertips, blue palms, blue toes, blue lips and a blue face when he cries or coughs (which happens more often than not). In addition, his mother cannot afford the right milk for an infant as his age. He is not getting the proper nutrition he needs, on top of his breathing problems. His body is so small. He is so fragile. He needs surgery. The doctors here (Honduras) cannot help him. He needs the expertise and equipment that doctors in the U.S. can perform for him, but he is Honduran. This surgery is long overdue. It may be too late. He is suffering because his country can’t help him. His mother can’t help him. (Don’t worry, I have an army of supporters in the states who are working hard on finding a solution for little baby Jostin. Please keep him in your prayers as we are trying our best!)

There are cases and cases just like these. What hurts the most is that I have seen both sides. It breaks my heart to see Bessy talk to mom on the phone telling her about a funny story that happened today. Then to meet Bessy’s mom in the states and have her ask me (because the Bessy she left behind was years ago) “How is my daughter? Is she skinny? What do you guys play together? Is she learning a lot?”. I have met the mothers. I have laughed, talked, and played with the daughters. Unfortunately, that is the closest they have. “A hug from her to you”

The difference between their situation and mine? Circumstance. I just happen to be born in Pennsylvania. They just happen to be born in El Porvenir, Honduras.

Sometimes, most of the time…almost always… I wish with all my heart, that I could change places.