Team Reports
• Laurie-Beth Davidson
• Suzanne Dobinson
• Harry Gauthier
• Hilda Reinauer-Stark
• Judy Skelton
• Jim Stark

You can also download a PDF version of this report from our Distributions page.

Making a Difference

Suzanne Dobinson – Innisfil, ON

Suzanne blowing bubbles for the children at our home visit From Honduras 2007 Album 2

While my team members continued with the daily distribution, I sat with Maria, a teacher who spontaneously became my translator. It was my responsibility to interview some parents regarding their thoughts on the bedkit their child was receiving.

The parents entered the room individually and we began an intriguing conversation. As we discussed their opinion of the bedkit, it was easy to get caught up in hearing about their life. I could have spent all day with each of them to learn more about their plight. Rest assured these bedkits are going exactly where they are needed most.

One single mother, Marcia, spoke of the importance of keeping her four children in school. Her youngest child who received the bedkit is in primary school. Her three other children entered secondary school when they turned thirteen and remain there still. She works diligently at two jobs to support her children and her 80-year-old mother, who also lives with them. Though she desperately needs financial help, she was clear that she would not let any of her older children leave school early to help support the family. Many of the mothers we interviewed don’t receive any financial support from the fathers of their children, and there is no welfare system in Honduras.

From Honduras 2007 Album 2

So many parents of the children receiving bedkits are single mothers desperately working to support their families. One mom stated that as a mother of seven she is very lucky to have a job in the hospital. She earns the equivalent of $170 per month. Another shared that she cleans houses to support her two children and earns $137 per month. She lives in a one-room home and shares a bed with her two children. Rent for her home is $42 per month and her groceries for the month are $53. To attend school, children must wear a uniform which costs $26 per year. Think about what a $30 bedkit means to this family. Imagine receiving a gift that is worth 75% of the cost of your rent.

I also interviewed a 10-year-old girl who conveyed the same message. When asked to pick out the two things in the bedkit she would benefit from the most, she chose the books and the pencils as her family must pay for school supplies and she rarely has enough.

One mother summed it up nicely. She is a street vendor who sells chewing gum and earns $3 per day. She stated her child will now be very proud to say that he owns something.

It is very humbling to be a part of this project: meeting the families, hearing their stories, and knowing that this small gesture will improve their world. It allows me to see that, as one person, I can make a difference..