Tales From the Street

Arely came to us when she was just 8 years old. Her grandmother sought us out to protect Arely from further abuse by her own mother, a prostitute. Arely's mother had taken her to a bar and sold her. When confronted, her mother responded that life is too hard and too hopeless and her daughter might as well learn that fact early. Sister Tere was determined to help Arely find a new life.

Like a frightened bird, Arely would crouch in corners and jump at any noise. She would wake up crying in the night, reliving her abuse. With love and support from Sister Tere and the staff, Arely was able to grow into a confident young woman. She finished school and at 17 years of age, is now attending secretarial school in San Pedro Sula. Her future, at last, is bright and her head is high. She looks forward to a very different life from the one her mother envisioned for her.

Geovanny comes from the poorest area of El Progreso, living in a mere cluster of shacks perched on the mountains that ring the city. When he was nine years old, his brother ran away, trying to reach the United States and a better life. Geovanny's mother, devastated by the loss of her oldest child, sank into a deep depression and abandoned her three remaining young children. Geovanny bravely tried to take care of his two younger sisters with the help of neighbors as poor as himself.

Geovanny heard about the House of Friendship and asked to be taken in by Sister Tere. There he found a bed, food and the chance to go to school. He asked for shelter for his sisters and soon Waldina and Nelsy also became part of our "Friendship Family". Geovanny has grown into a kind and loving young man, a wonderful "big brother" and a role model to others. He will soon graduate from Loyola Technical School and wants to be a machinist. His mother has returned home to find her children cared for and able to help her. If you ask Geovanny what he wants to do, he would tell you, "I want to make my mother happy".

Education and Hope - Our Best Answers

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