Success Stories

Success Stories

Luis Rafael - Tutor at FundacioĢn AHLE, our home in Honduras.

Luis grew up without a father in extreme poverty. From a very young age he worked every day milking cows for a farmer that would pay him with a quart of milk, and for this reason he was not attending school. Our Director, Marvin Lopez, who at the time worked for the school system, became aware of Luis being exploited and missing out on his education and started supporting him personally so he could attend school. Luis soon after was enrolled in our programs and received full support for his education.

Today, Luis is part of our amazing team of tutors at the Foundation, his life experience gives him a unique insight and deep understanding of his work with the kids. He is always sharing his experiences to make sure our kids understand the value of the opportunities given to them.

Message to our donors: “Being one of the beneficiaries of your donations and the work that AJC does in Honduras, I will be eternally grateful because you do not expect anything in return for your generosity and dedication, except our own success.” 

Fredy Alexis - Presidential Guard of Honor - Official Guard to the First Family of Honduras

Fredy came to AHLE when he was 8 years of age because his family did not have the means to send him to school. Fredy believes that he owes his success in life to the life skills he learned at the Foundation; discipline, strength of character, moral and spiritual values, as well as personal growth and caring for others.


His message to our donors: “Caring for others the way you do is how God cares for all human beings. As an ex student I know that I try every day to do my best so your generosity and effort are not wasted. I hope you continue to support other other children and trust that they will all have a chance for a better life through your generosity” 

Nelson Rafael - Crew Member at Princes Cruises - Alaska

Nelson never knew his father and was raised by his mother but due to extreme poverty he was brought to the Foundation when he was only 8 years of age. Today Nelson is a responsible and loving husband and father, married to Gabriela; they have 3 children Emerson, Ian and Adriana. He is grateful to the Foundation and believes that there he learned good values and work ethics, and therefore those years were crucial for his personal growth. 


His message to our kids: “Make a big effort and do not waste the opportunities AHLE offers you, all knowledge is important”. 


His message to our donors: “Thank you for all the support you’ve given me and most of all for continuing to be a light of hope for so many children in poverty” 

Claudia Carolina - General Operator at Delta Cortes S.A. (manufacturers of apparel for export)

Claudia joined our Girls Scholarship Program when her father got ill and could no longer support the family. Claudia says that thanks to this opportunity she was able to overcome many difficulties that seemed unsurmountable at the time, and at the same time realizing that with the support and her dedication, reaching her goals was not that difficult.


Her message to our kids: “Make the most of being part of this amazing team that is the Foundation, this is an opportunity that not many have.”  


Her message to our donors: “Thank you for your trust in allowing me to be part of this project, with your support I was able to reach the goals I wanted so much to achieve. May God continue to bless you for your passionate work and dedication to serve others.”

Damaris Concepcion - Bank Teller at Banco del Pais, Honduras

Damaris enrolled in our Girls Scholarship Program when she was 11 years old. Her family was not able to afford the cost of her education. From the start she was determined to go as far as she could and proved it with her excellent grades and discipline. Today, as well as working at the bank during the week, Damaris is continuing with her university studies on the weekends. 


Her message to our kids: “Being part of the Foundation is a privilege, make the most of this opportunity, the key is to comply with the only thing that is required from us, good grades. Do it for yourselves, to have the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve achieved this with your own hard work and with the help of AJC.”


Her message to our donors: “I have no words to describe the profound gratitude I feel for the support you have given us, without it I would not be where I am today as a person and in my work life. Thanks to your generosity many of us have achieved our goals and like me, continue to reach for a higher level of excellence. I will endeavor to exceed your expectations. Thank you for trusting in the work of AJC Children’s Foundation.” 

Sandra Mercedes - Professor of Spanish at Instituto Manuel de Jesus Subirana, Rio Lindo, Honduras

At 6 years of age Sandra already knew she wanted to be a teacher. She would gather her cousins and other children in her village and give them classes. Living in a remote village, with no running water or electricity, she and her siblings would walk out of the village at 5am to start school at 7. When it rained, the school shoes would be carried in their book bag so they could put them on upon arrival. Once back home, she had to do her homework immediately before sunset or by candlelight. Sandra overcame bigger obstacles: shunned by the community she lived in because they did not believe a woman could be a professional, as well as at school for being from a remote village. This did not deter her from her goal. Her determination grew stronger. Sandra remembers the day Director Marvin Lopez and a donor arrived to her home to offer her one of the first scholarships available. She remembers they came by foot because they could not get there by vehicle.


Today, Sandra teaches at the same school she attended and some of her students are our boys and girls. She feels this is an honor, and wants to give students the support she received from her teachers when she was their age. She believes that the opportunity given to her by the Foundation and her hard work and determination helped her succeed and she is grateful for that chance. 

Jose Yester, Merchant Marine

Jose Yester grew up fatherless in one of the poorest slums in San Pedro Sula and lived on the streets before being brought to AHLE  at the age of 15. Yester graduated from electrical technical school in 2017 and achieved his dream of joining the merchant marines in 2019.  


Message to our kids: Put the mistakes of your past behind you and look to the future for the possibilites that AHLE offers you. Life is beautiful when you discover that it is worth living no matter what difficulties it throws in your way,  if you are willing to face them.


Message to our donors:  I am beyond grateful and proud to have been part of the AHLE Foundation. I thank the donors for giving me the opportunity to get ahead and have a future full of success and for my sponsors for their  unconditional love. 

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