AMIGOS OF THE WEEK ~ 2015-16 Honduran Volunteer Teachers

The Amigos de Jesus Bilingual School is blessed to have three groups of long-term volunteers make up its teaching staff: (1) the Amigos de Jesus volunteers, (2) the BECA volunteers, and this week's "Amigos of the Week," (3) the Honduran volunteers. The volunteers are supported by several paid Honduran staff who will be featured in coming weeks.

The Amigos de Jesus Honduran volunteer program is very unique. In fact, to our knowledge, it is the only volunteer teaching program for Hondurans in the country (though many programs exist for volunteer teachers from the U.S.). The program was started in 2013 with the goal of providing valuable hands-on experience for Hondurans who have recently earned their teaching certifications. The teachers at Amigos also learn methods for working with children with behaviorally and academically challenging students. Such techniques are not often taught in Honduran teaching schools.

Currently, the Amigos de Jesus Honduran volunteer program is made up of 12 teachers, led by a paid volunteer coordinator. All of the teachers have their primary teaching certifications (earned at age 18 in Honduras) and many are working toward university degrees in secondary education. The majority of the volunteers live together in a nearby house owned by Amigos. Modeled after our two U.S. volunteer programs, the Honduran program allows for the volunteers to grow in community and friendship by living together. Once a month, the Honduran volunteers get together with the Amigos de Jesus volunteers and the BECA volunteers for "teacher dinners."

Learn more about each of the Honduran volunteer teachers for the 2015-16 school year below:

Jeidy Vega

Known as: Profe Jeidy

Age: 22

Hometown: La Arada, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2013

Hi! My name is Jeidy Vega. I have two sisters and one brother and I have been at Amigos de Jesus for two years. I was part of the first group of Honduran volunteers at the school. Currently, I work as the Assistant Principal of the school and the coordinator of the Honduran Volunteer Program. Before coming to Amigos, I was studying to earn my teaching certification. I came to Amigios de Jesus because I like to be happy, and the kids here make me very happy. Coming to Amigos was the best decision I have ever made.

Role at Amigos: Assistant Principal and Coordinator of the Honduran Volunteer Program

Carlos Alejandro Flores Tabora

Known as: Profe Carlos

Age: 21

Hometown: Azacualpa, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2015

I am so happy to have the chance to greet all of the supporters of this amazing organization Amigos de Jesus. My name is Carlos Alejandro Flores Tabora and I am from a town called Azacualpa. I am 21 years old and I have my teaching certificate in primary education. Right now, I am living with my family in Azacualpa. Some of my favorite pastimes include attempting to learn English, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. My role at the Amigos school is Head of Discipline, where I am working with the kids to show them the way that negative behaviors can negatively affect their lives, and that we can work together everyday to become better people. I have learned so much from the kids and I continue to learn everyday. The children here are angels from God and I want to say thank you to everyone who is supporting this organization so that we can continue to support the kids. Un saludo!

Role at Amigos: Head of Discipline

Vilma Aguilar Rodriguez

Known as: Profe Vilma

Age: 21

Hometown: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2014

Hello, my name is Vilma Aguilar Rodriguez and I am from Santa Barbara. Before coming to Amigos de Jesus, I was studying to earn my primary teaching certificate, as well as spending lots of time with my family. I came to Amigos for teaching experience and an employment opportunity. I fell in love with the kids and Amigos so much that I decided to extend my volunteer term to a second year.

After two years at Amigos de Jesus, Profe Vilma will be leaving on Friday for maternity leave. We would like to congratulate her and her soon-to-be baby daughter and extend our biggest thank you for all of the wonderful work she has done for our children. We will miss her!

Role at Amigos: Spanish and Math teacher for Special Education ("Los Guapos") and Adapted Education ("Los Vencedores")

María Fernanda Perez

Known as: Profe Fernanda

Age: 19

Hometown: San Marcos, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: June 2015

Hi! My name is María Fernanda. Before coming to Amigos de Jesus, I was studying and spending time with my family. I came to Amigos for the wonderful employment opportunity and to gain new experiences. I enjoy working with the children in Special Education very much.

Role at Amigos: Special Education teacher

Miguel Rodrigo García

Known as: Profe Miguel

Age: 20

Hometown: Casa Quemada, Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2015

Hi! My name is Miguel Rodrigo Garcia and I have been at Amigos de Jesus for just over a year. Before coming to Amigos, I was studying to earn my teaching certificate and spending time with family. Upon graduating, a friend told me about Amigos de Jesus and that it was a good opportunity to gain teaching experience. I am very happy to live in the house with the other volunteer teachers. We are like a family. I am currently attending university on the weekends to earn my degree in secondary education.

Role at Amigos: Spanish teacher for Levels 1, 2, and 3 of EducaTodos

Vany Michelle Garmendía Ruiz

Known as: Profe Vany

Age: 19

Hometown: Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: June 2015

My name is Vany Michelle Garmentdía Ruiz. I was born in San Pedro Sula, but I am originally from Macuelizo, Santa Barbara. I love art, poetry, and all things creative. That is why I am the art teacher at Amigos. I love everything about my job. The Lord is the key to all of my achievements.

Role at Amigos: Art teacher and resource teacher for Spanish for Levels 1, 2, and 3 of EducaTodos

Evelyn Casco Lopez

Known as: Profe Evelyn

Age: 20

Hometown: Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: February 2015

My name is Evelyn and I was born in Macuelizo, Santa Barbara. Before coming to Amigos, I was helping my mom at home. I decided to come to Amigos de Jesus because I love teaching kids and I know that this is a place where I can gain valuable experience and learn very much from each one of the children. They are all beautiful people and I feel so happy to be part of this gran familia. I have been here for 11 months.

Role at Amigos: Science and Social Studies teacher for Levels 1, 2, and 3 of EducaTodos

Ingrid Aguirre

Known as: Profe Ingrid

Age: 19

Hometown: Posas Verdes, Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: March 2015

My name is Ingrid and I graduated last year from 'bachillerato' (high school) with a certificate in Sciences and Letters. I am currently in university studying to earn a degree in Basic Education. I came to Amigos de Jesus because I have always loved kids and thanks to the kids here, I have learned so much. I have had so many beautiful experiences with each one of them.

Profe Ingrid's mother, Linda, is a cook in the Amigos de Jesus kitchen. Living in the nearby town of Posas Verdes, their family has been a wonderful support system for Amigos de Jesus and for our kids.

Role at Amigos: Spanish teacher for Kinder (preschool) and Preparatoria (kindergarten)

Fany Griselda Franco

Known as: Profe Fany

Age: 25

Hometown: Los Tangos, La Entrada, Copán, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in:  March 2015

Hi, I'm Fany Griselda Franco. Before coming to Amigos de Jesus, I was studying and spending time with my family. I came to Amigos de Jesus for new professional experience. I am very happy to have this opportunity.

Role at Amigos: Spanish and Social Studies teacher for 1st and 2nd grade

Selena Castellanos

Known as: Profe Selena

Age: 20

Hometown: Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2015

Hello, my name is Selena Castellanos. Before coming to Amigos de Jesus, I was dedicating myself to my studies to earn my teaching certification, as well as spending time with my family. Thanks be to God, I eventually found myself at this beautiful place, and became part of a wonderful new family.

Role at Amigos: Spanish teacher for 3rd and 4th grade

Jose Eduardo

Known as: Profe Eduardo

Age: 19

Hometown: Amigos de Jesus

Became a teacher at Amigos de Jesus in: December 2015

Jose Eduardo did not want to write his own biography, but he gave us permission to write one for him, and we will gladly oblige. Our very own Jose Eduardo (known on the 'hogar' side of Amigos as "Chiqui") recently became the first child from Amigos de Jesus to become a teacher at the school! After growing up attending the Amigos de Jesus school himself, he recently earned his primary teaching certification in December and will be working in the Honduran volunteer program for a year before starting university. He was inspired to become a teacher by a teacher he had growing up who he says made a deep impact on him. He says he wants to have the chance to help kids the same way he was helped.

Role at Amigos: Resource teacher

And the newest additions to the Honduran teaching team. ...

Katherine Paola Cruz Leveron

Known as: Profe Katherine

Age: 18 

Hometown: Macuelizo, Santa Barbara, Honduras

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2016

My name is Katherine Paola Cruz Leveron. I was born in Santa Fe, Ocotepeque, Honduras, but I have lived in Macuelizo since I was four. Most recently, I returned to Ocotepeque to go to school to earn my teaching certificate. Before coming to Amigos, I worked in a bank in Ocotepeque and later in a school supply shop. I wanted to work at Amigos de Jesus because of the opportunity to gain more experience and help the children here, teaching them with love and patience. Those qualities are missing from teachers in other schools in Honduras. Right now, I have only been at Amigos for 8 days, but I am loving it already!

Role at Amigos: Resource teacher

Wendy Marilu Quintanilla

Known as: Profe Wendy

Age: 21

Hometown: San Pedro Sula

Joined Amigos de Jesus in: January 2016

I'm Wendy Marilu Quintanilla and I am from San Pedro Sula. Before coming to Amigos, I was working in a private school in San Pedro Sula. I came to Amigos de Jesus for the opportunity to teach Special Education. I will be teaching Profe Vilma's classes when she leaves. In fact, I just began at Amigos on Monday! I have been shadowing Profe Vilma this week and I will begin teaching next week.

Role at Amigos de Jesus: Special Education teacher

AMIGUITO OF THE WEEK ~ Selvin

     The boy in the crumpled photo is smiling; he looks happy with his mother’s arm around him and his older brother standing close by.  His name is Selvin.  He’s shy and quiet, but his smile is warm, slightly mischievous, and reveals much of what he chooses not to say.

     I first noticed Selvin silently watching his brother and some of the older boys play soccer on the field in front of the hogares.  It wasn’t until later on when I saw him practicing in the goalie position that I realized what a good player he is—good enough to play on a team with the older boys in the Torneo Navideño.  Selvin is fast, agile, and determined, all very necessary qualities when you are playing soccer with the older boys and young men at Amigos.  He is intrepid as well as determined; all of us had to cross the river on foot on the way back from Mass in Macuelizo.  Some of the smaller boys bringing up the rear were being ferried across by Padrino Carlos and Jorge Luis.  But not Selvin.  He was putting his shoes back on by the time I had crossed, and when I said “Todo bien, Selvin?”  He responded “Si!” and ran to catch up with a group that had crossed much earlier. 

     Selvin is brave in class as well.  He does not hesitate to raise his hand and participate in English class, even when some of his classmates are slightly distracted and rambunctious.  He seems ready and eager to learn, even though he’s capable of joining in the shenanigans at times, as most middle school boys are.  Selvin and his classmates are affectionate with one another; one day he and Francisco were play fighting and ended up hugging. 

     Selvin’s shyness with me is slowly dissipating with time.  Once he was sitting with Madrina Ruth while she and I were having a conversation.  He was so engaged in the soccer game going on that he didn’t see that she’d gotten up from her seat.  When he did realize her absence and that he was alone with me, he practically jumped up to move closer to another group of people.  When I first ate dinner in his hogar, he could barely look at me, but now he will smile and return my greeting.  The turning point came when I came upon him and some friends playing soccer.  The kids called me over to show me that Selvin had cut himself on a rock and to ask me if I had a band-aid.  I walked with Selvin to his hogar and then ran and got a band-aid from my room.  When I returned Madrina Carolina was cleaning the cut on Selvin’s leg.  I applied the band-aid, asking if it was now better, and was rewarded with a big smile from Selvin, who promptly went back outside to rejoin the game. 

     Selvin is quiet and thoughtful; however, once you earn his trust, his smile is a window into his heart.
~ Genevieve Volpe, 2015-16 volunteer

Selvin (right) trying out Ledin's headphones

AMIGO OF THE WEEK ~ Ken Neeld

Ken Neeld is a go-to person in the Amigos de Jesus family. Whenever there is a question or a problem, Ken works hard to provide a solution. His creative way of thinking has helped Amigos de Jesus with several projects and Ken is always the first to offer ideas! We are so grateful he is a part of the Amigos family. 

1. Name: Ken Neeld

2. Occupation: Managing Partner of a Senior Care Management Group

3. Hometown: Malvern, PA 

4. How did you first hear about Amigos de Jesus? I first heard of Amigos de Jesus from friends at St. Pat’s in Malvern and then later connected with Fr. Den through a business relationship

5. How did you become involved with Amigos de Jesus? I originally became involved with Amigos de Jesus when Father Den had shared a concern about helping the older children develop professional and/ or trade skills. We spoke for about 2 hours, he asked me if I would visit ADJ with him, which I did. The rest is a work in progress!

6. How many years have you been involved with Amigos de Jesus? About 4

7. How many times have you visited Amigos de Jesus? 3

8. What is one of your favorite Amigos de Jesus memories? My favorite memory of Amigos de Jesus was working with Kenji and the boys on the first Tilapia harvest. I also had a great time on one trip with Olvin when we took the horses around the property where he showed me the different crops and I always love hanging with Virgilio. 

9. Why do you like being involved with Amigos de Jesus? I like being involved with Amigos de Jesus for two reasons. The first of course are the children and how important it is to experience love in your life! The second are all the staff, volunteers and people that associate with Amigos de Jesus. As a whole, this “family” is united by a common concern for our brothers and sisters, no matter the race or nationality.  This sense of community is a great example that can be applied to so many different parts of our lives and is always an inspiration for me in my relationships. 

10. If you could send a message to one of the children right now, who would it be and what would the message say? To Virgilio: Be GOOD- I am watching!!! You are a great kid- actually now a young man. The younger kids look up to you as an example, so lead them well. Find great role models, there are many around you!

11. Who inspires you from Amigos de Jesus? One of my FAVORITE groups at Amigos de Jesus are Amy and Wilson. I am always in awe of how much love they have to give and how much they are loved! I also LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Long Term Volunteers. As a group, I find this team so generous in their gift of time and love. One of my favorite ADJ activities is the retreat for volunteers that have returned. I learn so much about how this experience has affected their world and am honored to call so many from ADJ friends. 

AMIGUITO OF THE WEEK ~ Ivis

Ivis is one of the most expressive children at Amigos. When he's happy, his entire face lights up with an ear-to-ear grin. In school, he furrows his eyebrows into his "thinking face. If something strikes him as funny, he has a deep, sincere laugh that invites others to laugh along. Sometimes his feelings boil over into a big bear hug - he gives one of the best hugs at Amigos! Ivis is 9 years old and lives at Amigos with his sister older sister, Arlen Jessenia (age 13). He is in Level 1 of EducaTodos at the Amigos de Jesus school.

Learn more about Ivis in his interview below!

1. Birthday: August 31st (age 9)
2. Member of the Amigos de Jesus family since: 2013
3. Favorite class in school: Spanish
4. Favorite teacher: Profe Carlos. 
1. Why? Because he helps me when I need help. I love Profe Carlos.
5. What is something interesting you learned in class this week? In art class, we learned about Honduran folk music.
6. What do you like to do in your free time? Draw, paint, do word searches, do homework
7. What do you want to be when you grow up? A police officer, so I can put the bad guys in jail.
8. Who are some of your friends at Amigos? Pablo, Henrry, Padrino Wilson, Madrina Amy, Hermes, Nelly, everyone.
9. What are you most thankful for? Food, clothing, shoes, sandals, my shirt, underwear, pants, matchbox cars, toys.
10. What is your favorite part of Amigos de Jesus? The soccer field because I like to play there, watch the older boys play there, and see 'golazos' (big goals) happen.
11. What is your favorite type of music? Romeo Santos, Carlos Vives, Dombeto
12. Favorite color: Blue
13. Favorite food: Rice and bean soup
14. Favorite movie: Lion King

Ivis with his signature grin and bear hug, posing with Miss Ashley (2015-16 long-term volunteer)

Enjoying tamales on Christmas morning

AMIGA OF THE WEEK--MADRINA RUTH

Madrina Ruth with one of our 6th grade graduates in December

Madrina Ruth is one of our Padrino/Madrina Coordinators at Amigos de Jesus. Ruth is from San Pedro Sula and has been at Amigos for two years and three months. She has a warm and generous heart and is beloved by everyone at Amigos. Her energy is legendary. We are extremely lucky to have her at Amigos! 

1) What did you do before you came to Amigos de Jesus?

I worked independently in the law profession.  I officiated at weddings and represented clients who were in civil court proceedings as well as those in criminal proceedings. 

2) How did you hear about Amigos de Jesus?

I saw the Amigos webpage and read about the purpose and mission of the home for children.  I had been thinking of leaving my profession before I saw the webpage, and I had always enjoyed working with children, so when I saw the page I decided to apply for a position with Amigos. 

3) What is your favorite part about being a padrino/madrina coordinator? 

I like being able to directly organize events for the children, things that I know they will enjoy and be excited about. 

4) Do you have a favorite story about one of the kids?

When I arrived at Amigos, I was in charge of 25 children, all of them very unique.  Wilmer (who was profiled as our Amiguito of the Week on 12/28/15) came to Amigos about a week after I did and joined my group.  He was very hyper and energetic, always running from one place to another.  We were both very active like that.  I focused a lot on Wilmer.  He was the first of the children that I felt like I wanted to protect and look out for. 

5) What do you look forward to in the coming year at Amigos?

The goals at Amigos are projects which we're undertaking, so I am visualizing these projects, including focusing on the youth and taking care of them and better meeting their needs, and focusing on what we can accomplish and complete this year. 

AMIGO OF THE WEEK ~ Ubil

Ubil presenting the blueprints of the Amigos de Jesus chapel before the first mass held at the chapel site on 1-6-16. The chapel is set to be finished before the end of 2016.

Ubil is the only employee on the Honduras side of Amigos who has been with our family since the very beginning. His journey with Amigos is inspiring, and he continues to be a light to the 'hogar' with his humility, warmth, and sense of calm in an often-chaotic work environment. Ubil began at Amigos in 1998 when founders Anthony and Christine Granese hired him to head the original construction of Amigos. Due to language barriers, he didn’t even fully realize at that time that he was constructing an orphanage! He only knew that a bridge and two-story building needed to be built. When he did realize that the final product would be Amigos de Jesus, he felt called to stay with the organization, and just two years later, he became the on-site director, a position which he held for 10 years. Today, he continues to serve as head of construction. Ubil lives near to Amigos with his wife, daughter, and father - who is 100 years old! His daughter is now in “kinder” (preschool) at the Amigos de Jesus school.

1.    How did you first hear about Amigos de Jesus?

 In 1998, when Anthony and Christine Granese and Fr. Dennis O’Donnell came to the area to build Amigos de Jesus, they put the word out around town that they were looking for a construction worker. However, none of them spoke much Spanish, so in the beginning, I didn’t even fully understand that they were looking to build a children’s home. I was simply looking for a job and I knew they needed a bridge built. It is amazing how much my life has changed since that moment.

2.    Can you share with us a little bit about the early days of Amigos?

Starting Amigos de Jesus was not an easy task. The property is very rural and could not even be entered without crossing a river. So our first task was to build a bridge, which today serves as the main gate of Amigos. For the first year, Anthony and Chris lived in makeshift shacks on the property, and I would come in to help build the first buildings, which are now the main office and ‘comedor.’

Also, for the first few years, we didn’t have telephone service here. We couldn’t get a telephone line to reach the Amigos grounds. It made contacting the outside world difficult. If we needed to make a call to people in the U.S., we would go to a payphone in town at a pre-determined time. Then at the end of the phone conversation, we would have to set up a time for the next phone call. No one could call us, we could only call them. Looking around at the WiFi and telephone connections we have here today, I am amazed at how far we have come in such a short time. Technology is incredible.

3.    What made you feel called to stay with Amigos after the initial construction project was completed?

 It is amazing how God works. I have always had a heart for the street children of Honduras and I actually had experience working with street children in San Pedro prior to meeting Anthony and Chris. From the moment we started building here, children began coming for shelter. And as I continued the construction project, I started forming relationships with them. After that, I couldn’t leave. I truly feel that God is the one who brought me here.

4.    How did you go from being a construction worker to the director?

 I remember after two years of working with Anthony and Chris, they began talking about moving back to the U.S. and there were a lot of questions about who would take their place. However, during the discussions I had never even considered myself as being in the running. When they asked me one night if I would do it, I was completely shocked. In fact, at first I said no. I knew that the director position would be a 24/7 commitment, and I didn’t want to put family through that. My son was living with us at the tiem and it would mean he would grow up here at Amigos. However, the more I talked with Anthony and Chris, the more comfortable I began to feel. I didn’t say yes right away. I told them I had to talk with my family. My family was, and still is, incredibly supportive. It took a big sacrifice on their part to move here full time. But I held the positions of director and head of construction for 10 years, from 2000 until 2010, when Amy and Wilson Escoto arrived. Amigos will forever be our family.

5.    Tell us a little about the process of building new buildings at Amigos. Who makes the decision of what to build and where to build it?

 It is always a group decision. We have a running list of about 20 buildings that need to be built here in the future. We are always revising the list to prioritize the most important buildings. Sometimes we receive donations to build certain things specifically and our money goes toward that. But the decision is always a group one between the on-site directors, the board, Fr. Dennis, and me.

6.    Do you have a favorite building here?

The main gate and bridge. As I said before, those are the two first things we built at Amigos. To me, they also symbolize the connection between Amigos and the outside world. Every child, staff member, and volunteer that has ever come here has had to pass through that gate. Today, there is a tradition of all of the children welcoming visitors and new members of the ‘hogar’ by all gathering to greet them at the gate.

7.    What construction project is next on the list?

 We are currently working on the chapel, which we hope to have done this year. We are also going to build another classroom building at the school, which will be designed specially for preschool, kindergarten, and special education. The new building will free up classroom space for the school to expand to 5^th grade next year.

Ubil and his wife and daughter (on left) with, left to right: Anthony and Christine Granese,
Maryanne (long-time friend of Amigos), and Fr. Dennis at Ubil's home in November 2015.