Newsletter of January 2009

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How we made a difference in 2008
Our primary focus is creating sustainability for Flor Azul Boys Farm while at the same time supporting the twelve teenage girls living in Hope House (Nuevo Paraiso) and augmenting sponsorship support for all the children of SAN. We are working to enhance our scholarship fund – sponsorship of each boy and create new micro enterprises so that they too can learn skills and take pride in helping themselves. The projects and micro-enterprises begun with the support of HFHC include:

SponsorshipChild Sponsorships
Child sponsorship funding is critical to the success of all our programs – Flor Azul Boys Farm, Nuevo Paraiso Village (Hope House), and Pedro Atala Homes in Tegucigalpa. Only through the generosity of sponsors can we continue to feed, house and educate the children. HFHC is most grateful to our 136 sponsors.

Change a life with Spare Change
Please send your spare change to HFHC each month. A small donation of $10 - $20 - $50 makes an AMAZING difference in the lives of these underserved children.

scholarshipEducation Scholarships
HFHC is committed to providing educational opportunities that will affect change in the lives of our children, their families and villages. Our 2008 scholarship fund for 37 students was in excess of $44,000 and included high school, technical training, university studies, and medical school. In addition HFHC hired an English teacher to give classes at FLor Azul.

Micro Enterprises
HFHC believes that by assisting in the development and maintenance of small sustainable businesses that we will enrich the lives of the children and at the same time, teach them the skills of owning and managing a business. In 2008 we saw the completion of several micro enterprises - Flor Azul Coffee, the Flor Azul tilapia farm, the Learning & Technology Center, and the Corsaro Center Convenience Store.

Café Flor Azul is about much more than coffee! The purchase of one bag of coffee provides enough income to feed three boys for a day. We encourage all visitors to purchase at least 5 - 15 bags of Flor Azul coffee. Under the direction of Moises, the boys are making a profit and have already repaid their original loan. Please come home with a suitcase filled with that gift that keeps on giving - your family, co-workers, and friends will find it a treasure. The coffee is sold at the Corsaro Center Convenience Store located just inside the gates of Nuevo Paraiso, adjacent to the Learning techonology Center.

Learning Technology CenterThe Learning & Technology Center provides internet-access and long distance telephone for all visitors. It is managed by  Militon of Flor Azul and all profits are directed to the food budget of the farm. The distance-learning classroom has been completed in 2008. With the hiring of an English teacher, we have been holding classses for the boys of Flor Azul and the girls in Hope House at Nuevo Paraiso. We are also teaching these children the basics of using the computer. We are finalizing the arrangements for instruction via several US universities, schools and museums.

The Corsaro Center Convenient Store was donated through the generosity of the Corsaro family , Jose, Sue, Sarh and Katie. Completed just one year ago, the store is managed by 15 year old Ricardo of Flor Azul who makes sure the shelves are stacks and doors open to welcome the visiting service groups. . Please visit and purchase – coffee, souvenirs, candy, sodas, Oreos, water, Gatorade, post cards etc.

The Tilapia Farm is about to enjoy it's first harvest! We have greatly benefited from the expertise of the Misters Terry Harmon and Mark Krieger of Cleveland's University School for Boys and Suyapa and Dan Meyer of the nearby Zamorano campus.

Fundraising Events

THE MAGIC OF IT ALL “… Thank you with all our hearts”
December 28th was an evening of pure magic! Oursecond benefit dinner dance was held in Cleveland at the Shaker Country Club. This sell out gala was an unprecedented evening and a tribute to all those who generously contributed their time and efforts to make it such a star studded spectacular event. Kudos, platitudes and gracias to the fantastic committee members, the incredible Fat City Band and everyone who came and lent their fantastic support. In the loving words of Daniel Lopez – the orginal boy of Flor Azul…”We are so very grateful for all you do for us – you are so loving and generous - without each one of you, Flor Azul would never exist. Thank you with all our hearts.”

 

January 2008 Group

Travel Immersion Programs
HFHC escorted five teams in January, March, May, June, August of 2008. Our participants helped build awareness, fund projects, support micro enterprises and sponsor children. In addition, HFHC groups brought over 4 tons of donated supplies and clothing.

JANUARY 2008 - Opened Corsaro Center Convenient Store and built the computer lab

MARCH 2008 – Our team funded and built the Greenhouse

MAY 2008 - Furnished computer lab & initiated the pavilion at Flor Azul

JUNE 2008 – Our team completed the building of the outdoor pavilion at Flor Azul

AUGUST 2008 – Our team funded and built Central Park in front of commercial center

Future 2009 Travel Dates - February 28, March 13, May, June 15, July, & August

Publicity
Courtesy of Bill DePalma and Craig Matis of Tilapia Productions, a professional cd, “The Boys of Flor Azul” was created. HFHC produced two banners for the dining room at Nuevo – one to promote Flor Azul and another to promote Child Sponsorship.

Miscellaneous Needs Funded by HFHC
Collected and sent funding for hospital stays, funerals, sewing supplies, fish production, a compressor, living room furniture, truck repair, the Flor Azul water project, paint and an alarm system. In June, HFHC assisted in the writing of the strategic plan for Flor Azul.

Looking Ahead at 2009

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