Saturday morning at the boys’ mountain home in Honduras. The majority of the Proniño boys wake up and do their morning chores at a slow and steady pace. Three boys, however, are found waiting at the door of the kitchen. These boys are already showered, have finished their morning chores and are dressed in their nicest clothes. They wait as the cook finishes preparing their three plates of food to eat a quick breakfast. Hop onto their bikes and they head out to volunteer for the day. This is the Saturday routine for these boys, as they donate this day to the small children of ‘Hogar Suyapa’, another home for kids in El Progreso, Honduras. They will spend the day playing tag, helping staff, and just enjoying themselves with all the children there.
These boys of Pronino all have unique and different pasts and family stories. Although their experiences vary, all of the boys share certain common traits; at one point or another, they were all deprived of love and a healthy childhood. Some lived on the streets for years or jumped from one home to another, while others have parents who are unwilling or unable to care for them.
Childhood is meant to be a fun time when one can run around carefree and enjoy the simplicity of life. Many of the boys never saw that simple and carefree side of childhood. But seeing them run around playing with the small children at Hogar Suyapa, you might think that they have found it. Kids who typically play the role of looking tough in front of the rest of the Pronino boys, are found on the swing-set or sitting with three small children chatting in the mini playhouse. Coming to Hogar Suyapa not only brings joy to the little children there, but benefits the Pronino boys on a psychological level. They are able to open up, have fun, and find a little of that childhood joy that was unfairly taken from them.
After a fun day of volunteering, the boys hop back on their bikes and ride up the mountain, to spend a week looking forward, with juvenile enthusiasm, to next Saturday.
(Written by Cristian Manzanares, 12 years old.)
A carnival passed through El Progreso, bringing the excitement of cotton candy, popcorn, and rides, and the boys of Pronino were lucky enough to spend an evening there. The excitement of an outing is always an entertaining sight; as the boys rush around to get ready, put on their best clothes and shine up their shoes, not to mention the hair gel so they really look sharp. I think they enjoy these outings much more than any other child would. They are given the chance to forget about their pasts or the absence of so much in their lives, and to run around having fun as a normal child should.
Driving through the streets of Honduras, you will spot beaten and partially destroyed kites hanging from the power lines. One day I decided to ask the boys about them. The response I got was more like enthusiasm at the opportunity to show me how those kites were made. A group of boys took off running to find plastic bags and string. Another few went to pick some large thick stemmed leaves. In a very short time, they were all seated quietly working on their kites. They worked with such dedication to the task at hand; carefully pealing the leaves down to the stem, measuring and cutting them as accurately as possible, crossing the sticks at the center to make the ideal shape, and then using the string to secure their creation. The bag was wrapped around the stick formation and, as a final touch, a long plastic tail was attached. I sat there watching, simply amazed by the creativity and skill involved in their work. As they finished, one child after another ran down the mountain to the soccer field. They went running across the field, kite in hand, hoping to send it flying on a swift breeze. As one achieved his goal, he would turn and shout to be sure the rest were watching as his hand made creation; formed from sticks and trash, took flight and soared into the sky. It seemed to be a beautiful reflection of themselves; previously viewed by so many as worthless street children, now working so hard to prove that they could be more. They reveal each day their ability to grow and rise up as stronger, more confident and educated young men, proving that their beginnings will not determine who they will become or how far they will go.
This weekend we just got back from an amazing event: Pronino kids making history in Honduras! We are the first sailing team recognized here in the country, and the pride and confidence in the boys is evident in their every movement. A few capsized boats aside, the progess has been phenomenal. If I was not there to witness it from day one, when the boys were not sure of themselves, or for that matter what I meant by “we’re going sailing!”, I would not believe it. They wake me up before half-past 5 in the morning to get moving, and are so energetic and enthused, it makes me feel double my 32 years for the effort I require to keep up.
Oscar has officially been selected to attend private school as of this year. 20% of Honduran children who attend school do so at private institutions, but as it is significantly more expensive, we can offer that opportunity only to the very best.
First of all, let me introduce myself: I’m Lili Mostard and recently I’ve become secretary of Homeless Child. I’m thrilled to be able to support this wonderful foundation. To get a better idea of the organnizzations that Homeless Child supports, I travelled to Honduras at the end of June.
When 14 Dutch 20 something girls had visited the Proniño kids, they were collectively in love and decided that they wanted to do something more than only spend a day sharing time, games and hugs.
