Students Make A Difference In Honduras!

Brian and Heather Whitley, teachers with Algoma District School Board share their experience as part of a small group that travelled to Honduras and made a big difference. Their caring gifts of time and necessities continue to make a difference to families in need.

Hi ,
Just thought that I would touch base and let you know that we brought our 13 area teens home safely from Honduras. They will present at St. Joe Island, Echo Bay and CASS which are the three schools that took a direct role in partially sponsoring their project. The trip was a real eye opener for our kids as they visited many schools where poverty is rampant. They were able to "perform with their puppets" in every school and we were able to distribute supplies in many public schools as well as in an orphanage.

Echo Bay School, St. Joe Island School and CASS were able to raise enough funds to be able to support two mothers in Honduras who live on the former garbage dump, in setting up their own micro-businesses. Deana Phillips from the CASS social justice committee was able to go to interview one mom who is already a beneficiary of the program and when the mom was asked what difference the program made to her life her response was simple but immediate...."I can feed my children.".... It was a thrill to watch the CASS teens process what they saw and embrace the idea that things are certainly not what make you happy. I think too that they were able to see the importance of education in helping to break the cycle of poverty and they renewed their appreciation of the importance of responsible parenting.

Many lessons were learned . They are all ADSB students (actually one is a CASS grad now studying at Algoma) who are active in their schools and communities and exemplify "promoting character with pride" and making a difference in their world.

Brian and Heather Whitley