The Adventures of Caddy: Love Lessons

I've had a lot of people ask me what exactly I'm doing here, and why is it called an orphanage if the kids aren't what we think of as "orphans?" Well let me explain...

Honduras is a very poor country and getting married young and having many children is extremely common among the women here. Some women don't even get married, they just change partners constantly, having many children all with different fathers. This creates a lot of problems, as the children are not well cared for since there are so many of them living with a single mother. Many children here suffer from malnutrition, don't shower regularly, and don't get all the love and attention they need to grow and thrive. Some children as young as 10 work on coffee plantations to provide food money for their families. Others may come from homes where they have been abused. A few children we know have actually been abandoned by their parents and have had to grow up at very young ages in order to take care of their many siblings.
It is common for families in Honduras to live in very small houses with only one bed. Babies often sleep on the floor because it is safer to sleep on the dirt than to risk falling off a cramped mattress. Each story is different, but usually just as heart-breaking as the last. I will post specific stories throughout the summer.

Footsteps Missions has come to Santa Barbara to help remedy the situation a little and to give these kids, known as economic orphans, a safe haven where they can be cared for and their basic needs can be met. We are teaching them how to love and giving them hope for their future, hence the name "Jardin de Amor y Esperanza" or "Garden of Love and Hope" orphanage.


Front gate of orphanage: Garden of Love and Hope Matthew 19:14 Mind - Body - Spirit (Door says Welcome)

Here at el Jardin, the children are fed a nutritious lunch, which for some may be their only meal of the day, do chores to teach them responsibility, participate in hygiene activities such as hand washing, teeth brushing, and flossing, have Bible and ESL classes, and have tutoring and homework time.

The schedule works out really well and the kids know exactly what to do when and are really good about doing their chores! They love to play games and do puzzles in their free time, and going to el campo (the soccer field) is always a favorite activity. They also love to make friendship bracelets and share them with us.

The children are so sweet, you would never know by just looking at them what their stories are. They come to the program everyday with smiles on their faces and give us plenty of hugs. The younger kids love to climb all over us and be held.

Each child has a unique story which if you look hard enough is reflected in their personality and the way they behave around others, but they are so wonderful and are making great progress everyday! Even the newest child in the program, a 7-year-old boy named Ariel, who started last week, comes to the program everyday with a huge smile and loves to hug us!

I am so blessed to be able to spend six weeks with these wonderful children! They are truly amazing and we enjoy learning from them everyday.