Austin Helps Honduras

Austin Helps Honduras and St. Martin’s

Members of SMLC have been assisting the Juticalpa community in Honduras since 1998 after the area was devastated by Hurricane Mitch.  What started as support to build about 100 simple concrete houses turned into a focus on the educational needs of the community.  After starting a scholarship program in 2002 for students to continue their education beyond sixth grade, the need for an adequate elementary school was addressed, and Escuela Solidaridad was built in partnership with the Honduran and Italian Red Cross and dedicated in 2007.  Members and friends of SMLC continue to support the community by sponsoring students in the scholarship program.  To date, SMLC has provided over 1000 annual scholarships and most recently raised funds and solicited donations to provide about 100 musical instruments so that students in two middle schools have the opportunity to participate in band curriculum.  Another valuable program supported by AHH in Juticalpa is assisting commercial truck drivers in obtaining training and licensing in Juticalpa, providing an opportunity for better compensation and making the roads in the area safer. Since the program began two years ago, 261 truck drivers have completed the requirements for a commercial license.

For more information, visit www.austinhelpshonduras.org. The website chronicles the work of AHH since the hurricane in 1998.