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Honduras |
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"We must all work
to make the world worthy of its children"
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Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Americas, and it is because of this complicated economic situation that many of Her children grow up sick and hungry - sadly, many never have a chance to grow up. The following statistics, comparing the US with Honduras will tell you of the hardships in that country: |
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| US | HN | ||
| Population | 276 Million | 6 Million | |
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| GNP Per Capita | $30,600 (US$) | $760 (US$) | |
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Under age 5 mortality (live births) |
8/1000 births | 42/1000 births | |
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| Population under age 5 | 19 Million | 966,000 | |
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| Annual deaths under age 5 | 30,000 (0.15%) | 9,000 (0.93%) | |
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| Underweight children | 1% | 29% | |
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Children with
stunted growth statistics compiled from UNICEF |
2% | 39% | |
As you can see from the above figures, there is an epidemic of malnutrition and its related diseases in Honduras today. The reality of the different world that exists there is even more shocking when you realize that the above figures for Honduras are very 'conservative.' Where we work in the central mountains, a year's wages for an agricultural worker are less than $500US. This is simply not enough to survive on. |
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These families live in a constant state of poverty, often owning enough food to feed them for one day. Tomorrow is tomorrow. Many rely on subsistence farming to grow enough food to feed their family. Because of soil condition, economics, and culture - beans and corn are the staples of the rural Honduran diet. There is simply not enough nutrition for a healthy life in this diet. | ||
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As long as children are nursed,
they are healthy - but when they are solely fed a solid diet, they quickly
lose weight and display the telltale signs of malnutrition and parasite
infestation.
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While world economics and finance may be out of our hands, the health of these children is not. Our work in Honduras began in the mid 1990's - our volunteer teams would travel and give children the de-worming medicine Mebendazole and 200,000 units of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for the formation of eyesight and a strong immune system. | ||
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Our field de-worming stations quickly evolved into roadside medical clinics staffed by volunteer doctors and nurses from the US. Now all of our teams must have a physician and at least two other medical professionals. It seemed irresponsible for us to go so far to help, but to be left feeling like we could have done more. In these clinics, children were often seen who needed more care than could be unloaded from the back of a pickup truck. | ||
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| FOBF's Extended Care Program was begun for these children. Our staff schedules and takes them to medical appointments (many children are so remote, this is a two-day affair). If needed, surgeries are performed. Whether through reconstruction of a clubfoot, repair of a cleft-palate, or insertion of a hydrocephalic shunt, hundreds of lives have been changed through this program. |
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In 2001, using a Welch-Allyn Autorefractor, we began giving eye exams and fitting Lions Club eyeglasses. Thousands of Hondurans, young and old, can see their world a little clearer. | ||
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In 2002, our teams cared for over 22,000 Honduran children and adults. In 2003 over 26,000 were served. God has truly blessed our work, and our mission - to make the world a little better, one child at a time. |
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