Bringing Relief to Honduras - Mil Gracias!

Families carrying the food donations back to whatever
is left of their homes.


Location of a home that was swept away by the rising
creek. Nothing was left except for a wheel that belong
to a wheelchair that belonged to a 9 year old little girl.












Manos Team distributing food baskets to families in
the colonia de Acasias.




































Manos de Dios Team Trip to Danli, Honduras



September 3-7, 2010


Three members from the Manos Team (Cesareo Guadarrama, Fr. Allan Conkling and Patricia Perea) just got back from Danli, Honduras. We wanted to evaluate the situation in Danli after the flood that displaced hundreds of families. We visited several neighborhoods and talked directly with the families affected. It did not take us long to realize that the pictures that we had seen only showed a glimpse of the reality of what these people are living.





Unfortunately, Honduras does not have an entity like FEMA that would provide relief by means of alternative housing or rebuilding efforts. There are some talks of some non-profit organizatios like Food for the Poor that might donate some houses, but nothing has materialized yet. Many families are staying in shelters, others are staying with family members and many others have returned to their homes even though tehre is very little left and they are at risk of more flooding.








One of the first things that we did was purchased food in large quantities. We made food and toiletries baskets for the flood victims. Specifically, we bought the following items: 250 lbs rice, 250 lbs beans, 250 lbs flour, 250 0lbs sugar, 300 lbs coffee, spaghetti, pasta sauce, bar soup, detergent, toilet paper, mats and blankets.




We took the baskets of food to Acacias, a small neighborhood with approximately 50 families. This is one of the areas that was hit the hardest.









We visited with the principal of the Instituto Pedro Nufio, which is the school that we have partnered with since 2002 for our scholarship program. When we learned that there had been 15 of the students' families that lost their homes, we decided to make a donation to the school to help these families with clothing, food, books, school supplies and anthing else needed.









A family of seven with a handicap child used to live in the location shown in the picture below. You can see the wheels of the little girl's wheelchair. We are donating this family a new wheelchair.









In terms of next steps, we are looking to buy property to relocate some families away from the flood prone creek. We are trying to partner with Anglidesh, a non-profit organization from the Episcopal Church in Honduras. We are hoping that they will donate the construction materials to build two-room houses.







The Manos Team would like to thank you for your prompt response and generous contributions. We can assure you that your kind heart is making a big difference in some very unfortunate families in Danli, Honduras.











Very greateful,



The Manos Team

Tragic flood in Danli, Honduras

Dear Manos Team & Friends

Our friends in Danli are in need of our help. Yesterday afternoon they had four hours of non-stop heavy rain and it devastated the area of Danli including Nueva Esperanza. They have not determined the number of of missing or dead individuals, but as you can see from the pictures several neighborhoods were affected.

I talked to our lay pastor Victor, and he said that the community is in desperate need of clothing, food, blankets, sleeping mats and shelter.

We have been working in this area in Honduras for the past 10 years and some of the people on these pictures we have known for many years. For instance, Nahum is an active member of our church and his house was destroyed. The house was in great need of repairs and after the flood they lost the little that they had.

I am hoping that we can help by raising some funds and sending it directly as soon as possible. If you want to contribute to the fund, please send your check to St. Francis by the lake (see information below). As you can imagine, timing is critical as we would like to send the money as soon as we can. The church in Danli Manos de Dios is taking a key role in helping the community. Any amount that you can send would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for your help!

Patricia

St Francis by the Lake Episcopal Church

P.O. Box 2031

Canyon Lake, Texas 78133

re: Honduras Flood Relief (** very important)

Dear Manos Team and friends,

Our friends in Danli are in need of our help. Yesterday afternoon they had 4 hours non-stop of heavy rain and it devastated the area of Danli including Nueva Esperanza. They have not determined the number of missing or dead individuals, but as you can see from the pictures, the whole neighborhood was affected.

I talked to Victor (our lay pastor) this afternoon and he said that the community is in desperate need of clothing, food, blankets, sleeping mats and shelter. Apparently, they have set up a shelter in the Church of Cristo Rey and they are trying to set up a second shelter in Manos de Dios Church.

We have been working in this area in Honduras for the past 10 years and some of the people on these pictures we have known them for years. For instance, Nahum is an active member of our church and his house in destroyed. Nahum lived in this house with his six younger siblings. The house was already in need of repair and after the flood he has lost the little that he had.

I am hoping that we can help by raising some money and sending it to them as soon as possible. If you want to contribute to the fund, please send your check to St Francis by the Lake (see information below). As you can imagine, timing is critical and we would like to send the money as soon as we can. Our church in Nueva Esperanza is taking a key role helping the community. Any amount that you can send will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your help.

St Francis by the Lake Episcopal Church