Submitted
SUBMITTED
Students and two adults smooth cement of a future foundation. From
left to right: Sebastian Dowling, Rachelle Broomfield, Mia Valentine,
Dorian Law, Missy Hobbs, Tim Williams, Jessica Hudson, and Jim Hobbs.
Hot, sweaty,
tired, and covered with splatterings of dried cement would describe
the appearance of a dozen teens at the end of each day of their
spring vacation.
The students are from Yosemite High School, Mariposa High School,
a high school in Fresno, Chico students, and four students from
a high school in Exeter.
Doesn’t sound like a great way to spend Easter break? This group
said it was one of the best experiences of their lives.
For six months these youths have been planning and fund raising
to go work at an orphanage in Pena Blanca, Honduras.
Pan American Health Service has dedicated the last 40 years to feeding,
healing, housing, and training the malnourished children of central
Honduras.
The large landscaped compound becomes their permanent home since
many of their parents cannot afford to keep their own children and
feed them properly.
The initial project to rebuild the “Casita Feliz” or Happy Little
House on the old foundation changed once the group arrived and evaluated
the needs. Blueprints outlined a larger facility which necessitated
tearing out the old cement flooring and starting from scratch.
In six days the group removed the old foundation, leveled a new,
larger pad, dug trenches and footings by hand, laid the rebar, and
poured the cement. The cement was mixed in a one yard mixer, carried
by backhoe buckets to the site where it was unloaded into wheelbarrows
before being poured.
Spending time with the orphans was the real highlight of the trip.
The happiness and contentment of children with so little of this
world’s goods was contagious.
Each teen returned with new friendships and a new appreciation for
the blessings they have here at home.
The trip was sponsored by the Oakhurst Seventh day Adventist Youth
Group.
The students held a fund raiser through the church for the building
material. Expenses were paid by selling especially made note cards
created by Thomas Wieg.
The students sold door to door and then they moved on to Mountain
Area businesses. Over 3,000 cards were sold to finance the trip.
The group is anxious to finish the project and is making plans to
return to Honduras.
Previous
Sierra Star Article