Funds raised to enhance Honduras education
Karen Blatchley
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: News
The Western Illinois University chapter of Students Helping Honduras is hosting several educational and fundraising events throughout the month of April to help raise funds for the organization's mission, to mobilize students in a massive and focused effort to empower orphaned and at-risk children in Honduras to reach their full potential.
Since its formation in February 2006, the nonprofit volunteer organization, run primarily by college students, has brought change to the people living in Honduras. The organization has focused its efforts on the poverty-stricken city of El Progreso, Honduras.
SHH has bought plots of land within the city in hopes of building a new community from the ground up. Among the organization's numerous efforts in Honduras, SHH has built homes for the 72 families living in Siete de Abril, the largest squatter community in El Progreso.
SHH has set an ambitious goal for 2009. The organization will focus its efforts on Villa Soleada, the new village that SHH is building within the community.
According to Michelle Detrick, a junior double majoring in bilingual education and Spanish, and the designated president of Western Illinois' SHH chapter, the families will greatly benefit from the new developments in the community.
Many of the families within El Progreso lost their homes in Hurricane Mitch. Forced to relocate and without the ability to own land titles, these families have no security. If forced to leave, they would be homeless with nowhere to go.
SHH plans to build a water tower, a well and piping system, an eco-friendly sanitation system, and a multi-purpose library, as well as install 35 light posts throughout the village to bring electricity to the community. In order to reach their goal for 2009, SHH must raise $110,000.
The Western Illinois chapter of SHH is doing its part to help the organization raise funds. Students of SHH on campus have chosen to raise money to support the building of a library in El Progreso. Detrick feels strongly about the goal for 2009.
Since its formation in February 2006, the nonprofit volunteer organization, run primarily by college students, has brought change to the people living in Honduras. The organization has focused its efforts on the poverty-stricken city of El Progreso, Honduras.
SHH has bought plots of land within the city in hopes of building a new community from the ground up. Among the organization's numerous efforts in Honduras, SHH has built homes for the 72 families living in Siete de Abril, the largest squatter community in El Progreso.
SHH has set an ambitious goal for 2009. The organization will focus its efforts on Villa Soleada, the new village that SHH is building within the community.
According to Michelle Detrick, a junior double majoring in bilingual education and Spanish, and the designated president of Western Illinois' SHH chapter, the families will greatly benefit from the new developments in the community.
Many of the families within El Progreso lost their homes in Hurricane Mitch. Forced to relocate and without the ability to own land titles, these families have no security. If forced to leave, they would be homeless with nowhere to go.
SHH plans to build a water tower, a well and piping system, an eco-friendly sanitation system, and a multi-purpose library, as well as install 35 light posts throughout the village to bring electricity to the community. In order to reach their goal for 2009, SHH must raise $110,000.
The Western Illinois chapter of SHH is doing its part to help the organization raise funds. Students of SHH on campus have chosen to raise money to support the building of a library in El Progreso. Detrick feels strongly about the goal for 2009.
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