As adults, it is our responsibility to help children as they are unable to help themselves. We are fortunate enough to live in a wealthy country where we have hundreds of programs (both government and private) to help abandoned, abused and neglected children get their basic needs met. Such programs include education, housing, feeding, medical care and before- and after-school programs. In Honduras, 50% of the population is under 20 years of age. There is no money or programs to assist them. Their only hope is assistance from the outside. This becomes our opportunity to share what we have.
Thus far, 100% of our funds come from the families and friends of the Board of Directors and the volunteers. You can contribute financially right now by making an online donation.
The family and friends of the Board of Directors and volunteers spread the needs list among others. There is a current Wish List so that everyone can be aware of what our needs are. Most of what is sent to Honduras is used but still very functional. Also, companies with excess stock, out of date products or slightly defective products donate their goods and receive tax deductions for them.
90% of the money donated goes directly to AHLE, the orphanage in San Francisco de Yohoa, Honduras and is used for the construction of the project or maintenance of the children. Less than 10% is spent here in the United States to buy used items that we can not get donated or to pay for the actual shipping of the 40-foot containers. Maersk gives us the shipping generally at 40% discount. Thank you, Maersk.
AHLE has an Executive Director, named Martin Lopez. He's a school teacher by education and has lived his entire life in the area of San Francisco de Yojoa, Honduras. He has been with AHLE since 2000 where began as manager of the transitional house, overseeing the daily lives of 6 of the older children as they attended high school and prepared for independent living. He supervises all activities at the orphanage as well as the scholarship program.
AHLE also has a Board of Directors who make sure that the wishes of the founders of AHLE are carried out. They determine which children are admitted to the orphanage and make the policies of the project.
The Honduran foundation of AHLE has 3 founding fathers: Alexander Valentin with Acción Humana in Germany, Dr. Bob Walsh with AJC Children's Foundation in Florida and Peter Beuth of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. They set the goals and objectives of the project, raised all the money and are ultimately responsible for the project.