Educate 50 Kids with Disabilities in Honduras

Far too often, our struggles are the very things that isolate us.

Doña Reli has suffered inordinate tragedy in her life. Both of her children died as young adults; her son was felled by the bullet of a criminal and her daughter passed away during a complicated childbirth. Her daughter’s baby survived but has the rare neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome, which severely affects the brain and limits numerous aspects of development. Reli’s granddaughter, named Mercy, often seems to be lost in a faraway world, where sometimes even a grandmother’s powerful love can’t reach her. 

As for Doña Reli, the constant care and attention that Mercy needs isolate her from the rest of her community. Mercy typically needs help even in the middle of the night, and the demanding routine along with the emotional weight of her granddaughter’s condition make Reli quite tired and, sometimes, quite alone. 

But, for five years, Mercy and Reli have benefitted from Un Mundo’s Special Education and Health program, which brings specialized care straight to their home multiple times a week and enables them to travel to San Pedro Sula for neurological and other medical examinations at minimal cost. “It’s clear that Mercy has improved a lot,” says Reli with tears in her eyes, “and Un Mundo truly has helped me a great deal.”

What’s more, through her participation in the parents’ committee that oversees and contributes to the work of the project, Doña Reli has discovered that she is never alone. “I’ve learned to appreciate the sacrifices of each parent,” she notes, explaining that the project has opened her eyes to the struggles of other families around her. With the families of more than 50 children benefitting from the project, Reli finds motivation to keep fighting for the health and happiness of her grandchild.

It is only through the collaboration of generous donors like you that Un Mundo is able to empower loving people like Doña Reli to give their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with disabilities the rich, joyful lives that they deserve. Please consider giving to the project once more if you're able, or keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to contribute to Un Mundo on Giving Tuesday, December 1. If you’re not already part of our email list, sign up through our website or Facebook page. We’re honored that you’re a part of the Un Mundo team, and we aspire to continue changing lives for the better with your help.

For many of us, it’s tough to imagine what it would be like to grow up with a physical or mental disability. For those of us who live in wealthy countries like the United States, it’s even more difficult to imagine having a disability and being shut out of the school system — being told that no one will support you in getting an education, in working toward your goals, or in learning to interact with other kids. In Honduras, even though public schools are legally required to practice inclusive education, in reality, children with disabilities are consistently turned away.

It was with the desire to correct this human rights abuse that Un Mundo’s education program for young people with disabilities was founded in 2009, and in its six years of operation the benefits for children in the Cangrejal River valley have been enormous. More than 70 children with disabilities in small communities throughout the valley have been welcomed into schools for the first time, making exponential cognitive, social, and emotional gains and lifting up the overall quality of the public school environment along with them. A team of seven local volunteers receive training to give special attention to children in schools and at home, and local teachers, students, and families learn how to accept and support people whose abilities are different from their own.

Serafín, a seven-year-old boy with quadriplegia living in the tiny community of El Japón, is one child who has made tremendous strides. While he has never been able to speak or move on his own, he has learned in recent years to communicate using nonverbal signals as well as to move one hand and lift his head. Margot, a local volunteer who has been an invaluable support for Serafín in overcoming physical challenges, lights up when she sees Serafín make a gesture to correctly answer a question or to alert her to something he needs. Margot believes that every child has the potential to learn, and she delights in reporting to Serafín’s family signs of his obvious intelligence. Without the support of a well-trained volunteer like Margot, Serafín might never have had the opportunity to let his bright mind and playful spirit shine. With her help, Serafín will continue growing as well as demonstrating to others in his community that his physical capabilities don’t limit his ability to learn.

The success of Un Mundo’s education program for children with disabilities for young people like Serafín is due in large part to the generosity of donors like you. Thank you for believing in these children’s potential and for giving them the freedom to learn. Please consider making another donation to enable the project’s continued success. And don’t forget to spread the word!