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Mission Honduras International
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty ... One Child at a Time |
September 2010
Newsletter
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Greetings!
Autumn blessings! In this time of year filled with transitions, we are happy to share this newsletter packed with stories and updates from Liberia Mission: the start of the school year, special computer classes, writing sessions, a new youth leadership program, a trip to a traveling book fair, soccer games, new construction projects, new staff, a moving volunteer reflection and much more.
We are especially pleased to introduce Amy, Mat, and Chris - three new program coordinators for Liberia Mission whose vision, compassion and dedication are already having a lasting positive impact on our mission and our children.
Thank you for all you do as a part of this family. Your prayers and contributions are what sustain and grow our mission, making this exciting new school year and abundant blessings possible!
God bless you,
Bob O'Dwyer
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Mission Honduras International
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Back to School at Liberia Mission!
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Monday, September 6, 2010 marked the first day of classes for  Liberia
Mission, Inc.'s St. Anthony of Padua School! Over 330 students joyfully
arrived in their signature khaki pants, green jumpers, and white shirts
and blouses. The children were eager to see old and new friends,
acquaint themselves with their teachers, and begin the school year with
Mass.
This year is particularly exciting because we are building 5 new
classrooms! The lower elementary school grades currently meet in
makeshift classrooms (dining room, church hall, meeting room, etc.) but
in just a few months they will move into their own brand new classrooms.
The school also welcomes a new principal, Mr. Moses Wonyen, who brings
new ideas, integrity, and a hard work ethic to his leadership position.
Our new school liaison,
Chris Keeney, is an incredible support to the school staff, assisting
with registration, classroom preparations, and administrative duties.
The Liberia Mission, Inc. campus buzzes with activity as the children go
to school, sing their morning prayers,
recite their lessons, return home to complete their chores, do
homework, play, and end the night with prayer. The hum of the
generator lulls them to sleep at the end of a long and fruitful day.
They rest in anticipation of a new day full of learning and friendship.
Thank you as always for your continued support, which enables our students and staff to embark on this exciting new year of academic, personal, and spiritual growth!
~ Bernardine Ileto, Director, Liberia Mission Inc.
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 Introducing Amy, Mat and Chris - LMI Program Coordinators
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The Board of Mission Honduras International and the whole MHI / LMI Family are very pleased to introduce three outstanding and dedicated Program Coordinators for Liberia Mission who are serving during 2010-2011. Each brings a unique and accomplished background in skills, talents, and experience, and each has already contributed much to the goals and successes of Liberia Mission Inc. and made a life-changing difference in the lives of our children!
Amy Spelz, Program Coordinator for Community Development. Amy grew up in  Saint Inigoes, a small town in Maryland near Washington DC.
She learned early about community and living out one's faith through
her Catholic grade school and large extended family; volunteering in the
community was a part of everyday life. Amy attended St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia
where she earned a BA in International Relations. She was attracted to
St. Joseph's, in part, because of their Faith Justice Institute and
Campus Ministry Center. During college, Amy interned with Cabrini Immigrant Services in NY, took an immersion course on Northern Ireland
and studied abroad in Germany. After graduating, Amy had a desire to
work for peace and justice internationally. She initially worked at St.
Mary's Ryken college preparatory school as a theology teacher and campus minister and volunteered overseas at the Iona Community's Camas Centre, an outdoor adventure learning program which focused primarily on at-risk youth. Amy later earned an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the European University Center for Peace Studies in Stadschlaining, Austria and then worked for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Jerusalem 2050 Project. At
LMI, Amy's primary job is to revise and implement the new "Policy for
the Protection of Beneficiaries" and develop vocational and life-skills
training. Amy says, "Child Protection is the number one priority at LMI. Helping
create a safe and loving environment is the most basic way that I can
live God's love for them. We, the volunteers, are with the children for
such a relatively short period of time in their life span; they've
already seen a number of administrations come and go. It is important
to me to smooth these transitions by letting them know they are loved
and to leave a lasting contribution that creates charisms of love and
acceptance."
Matthew Travis,
Program Coordinator for Organization Development. Mat
was born in California and raised in Lincoln, Massachusetts. His
interest in history and the outdoors started at a young age, growing up
near revolutionary war battlefields, historical sites and old farms.
The small grade school he attended helped foster a love for books and a
sense of inquisitiveness. His parents are actively involved in numerous
community organizations and, whether setting up lights for a Christmas
show or walking the family's cows through downtown Boston on parade, Mat
learned from them how to be an organizer and actor in the world. Mat
attended Brandeis University and earned degrees in History and Politics.
After graduating, he translated a love of the outdoors into a position
working for a small rock climbing equipment company, traveling and
teaching. A trip to visit a friend working in the Peace Corps in
Madagascar left Mat with eyes open and full of wonderment. While
working as a crew chief for a traveling music show, Mat gained experience working internationally with people all over the world to accomplish tasks quickly and efficiently. In Mission Honduras International /
Liberia Mission, Mat found an organization dedicated to sustainable aid
through building compassion, love and respect. Mat
has found his multiple roles at LMI both challenging and exhilarating.
Acting alternatively as finance officer, goat vet tech, plumber,
mechanic or cobbler, he has discovered that like the mission children,
he is fortunate to be in a place that promotes individual growth and
education. Mat
is thrilled to be working with the new Liberia Mission team and is very thankful to all the donors, sponsors and contributors who make each day in Liberia possible!
Christopher Keeney,
Program Coordinator for Education. Chris brings a
 breadth of experience in project and team management, communication and
logistics, and coordination among teachers, administration, and
volunteers. From 2004-2006, as a volunteer through Jesuit Volunteers
International (JVI), Chris worked directly with children and young
adults in the Marshall Islands at a school similar to Liberia Mission. There he developed a passion for addressing children's welfare issues,
particularly through education and sport. After that, he worked for two
years as a program coordinator for JVI in Washington, DC, developing
and utilizing many of the skills which make him an excellent addition to
the LMI team. Recently, during his graduate studies at SOAS in London, Chris became
particularly interested in West Africa,
as it was the topic (along with
children affected by war) of his dissertation. Chris' main focus is
working with the teachers, administrators and students of our St.
Anthony of Padua School as well as running a soccer program with some of
the mission children.
Please join us in welcoming this outstanding team! If you'd like to send them a message, please email here. Thanks!
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New Programs, New School Year, New Life at Liberia Mission!
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"Summer" has officially ended here at Liberia Mission, and
the children have all returned to school. (I put summer in quotes because
the months of June, July, and August actually fall in the cooler rainy season
here in Liberia).
Our children kept themselves engaged and entertained while
school was out. Amy began a series of computer classes while I introduced writing
sessions (including poetry and short stories). A quartet of kittens captured
the hearts of both children and staff, although their propensity to scratch
through window screens and rummage through our kitchen created some clean-ups
for us.
Amy and Mat brought a group of children to the Logos Hope ship docked
at the port of Monrovia (read the Logos Hope article). While on board this ship, the children enjoyed
Gospel-centered presentations and picked out books to keep for themselves. And
we celebrated Liberia's Flag Day by bringing all of the children to a nearby
orphanage, My Brother's Keeper, where our girls' kickball and boys' soccer
teams played friendly matches.
 With the advent of the new school year, the children are
being introduced to changes that we expect will improve their education and
life skills.
A Youth Leadership program has been established so that older
children can learn responsibility and leadership skills that will allow them to
grow as individuals as well as give back to the mission. We have hired a woman
with a lifetime of valuable experiences who will provide another motherly
figure for our younger children who are in special need of a warm, parental
influence.
At St. Anthony of Padua School, our Program Coordinator for
Education (Chris) is working hard in conjunction with the school staff to
improve curriculum, ensure accountability among teachers, and establish a school
handbook and a working Parent-Teacher Association.
 While these improvements are
occurring, five new classrooms are being constructed adjacent to the existing
facility. These new classrooms will help our school accommodate our 340 +
students (some of whom were being taught in the church and even an outdoor,
thatched-roof space). Read more about how you can help the construction project here.
In regards to my medical domain, most of our children are
doing very well, although three of our children are in need of surgery (one has
a cataract and two have hernias). In the Liberian medical system, there is no
"health insurance" so we must pay for these surgeries ourselves, although
thankfully prices are relatively low (we'll probably pay about $200 for each
surgery).
We are ever mindful that it is thanks to generous donations from
people like you that we can pay for these life-restoring surgeries, not to
mention the expansions and improvements to the school and to the mission that
are so long overdue. Thank you as always for your continued support and prayers.
Brian Chan, MD
Medical Director, Liberia Mission Inc.
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Visiting Logos Hope - Book Fair on a Ship!
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On August 20th, Mat and I (Amy) took 9 of the top students to a boo k fair on a ship - Logos Hope. It is a converted ferry that carries a volunteer crew of 400 around the world to sell (and donate) books at a cheap price. They see their mission as helping people to educate themselves and to bring the Christian message around the world.
With rain pouring down, we piled 5 older boys and 4 younger children into the vehicle and headed off for the hour drive to the Freeport of Liberia. By the time we got there, walked up the gangplank, and stood in line, we were all drenched.
The kids faces lit with wonder as we boarded the ship and watched the short informational video in the entrance. Their eyes widened as they stepped into the bookshop. We asked them to help us pick out books for our library by choosing two books for purchase. Shivering from the air conditioning, they stood for a long time at the first two cases, afraid to touch, but wanting to read the books.
 The youngest 4 picked their books immediately, so I encouraged them to walk through the shop before settling on these. I gave them permission to pick up the books and gently turn the pages. After about 20 minutes they got the hang of it, and were quite at home walking through the cases and choosing, choosing, choosing. Luckily with the prices being reduced, we were able to buy the extra books that made it into the basket.
They returned to the mission aglow from their great adventure and proud of their expert knowledge about ships.
Special thanks to the donation by a former volunteer who made much of this possible. We now have about 100 more books in our library. Many of them sit in the main office and the children come read them daily.
~ Amy Spelz, Program Coordinator
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Reflections from Deacon Eddie Martin, Liberia Mission Volunteer
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Every so often in life we have opportunities to experience God in a very
real and lasting way. Those are the times when we trust in Him and
step out in faith, out of our comfort zone and into an unknown of
anxiety. Nonetheless, we follow the call we hear. Called to walk
in His sandals, we offer ourselves in His service.
Liberia Mission was
just such a place for me. Like all such opportunities, our mission team
received far more than we gave. When our brief visit there was over, we
were forever
changed. We had walked with God. We laughed, worked, loved and were
loved by Christ Himself. He was there... deep in the eyes of every
face, every smile, every hug, song, and prayer. Now He is more fully
seated deep in our souls and we are better equipped to bring Him to
others.
Thank you, Mission Honduras International, for your hard
work and sacrifices which saved this mission and keep it going. Thank
you for the films that touch our hearts so completely, we can't help but
join in. Thank you, God, for welcoming us so completely once we
arrived and for giving our lives purpose.
The young men and women
we met were such inspirational gifts! The tragedies they have lived through will never leave them; yet, they leave the past in the past,
embrace the moment, and look forward to the future with an unshakable
faith and trust that God has saved them for something special. They are
already quite
special; consider Mama Helena, the house mother to the girls living at
the mission. She is pure love. You want to know what love is... go
meet her. This 'family' cherishes their faith with all their heart;
they have no doubt there is a God, and heaven, because they've already seen hell.
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only thing that impressed me more than how hard working, appreciative,
and eager these wonderful young men and women were, was the overwhelming
demand for the hope the mission brings to this war-torn nation. They
have to turn so many away.
Almost daily while we were there, there was
someone coming to the gate and begging us to make room for one more, to
give one more a chance in life. It was truly heart-breaking to realize
there have to be limitations, so much so, I was unable to get a full
night's rest for weeks after my return home.
This has filled me with
resolve to do all I can to see this work of God
flourish. Won't you please join us?
Deacon Eddie Martin
Gonzales, Louisiana
Summer 2010 Liberia Mission Volunteer
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"Son of None" Docudrama Wins "Best Short Film" at Boston Film Fest!
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"Son of None," a short docudrama, written and filmed at Liberia  Mission and featuring an outstanding cast and crew of Liberia Mission students and staff, won "Best Short Film" at the 26th Annual Boston Film Festival last week!
The film has also been accepted to screen at three additional prestigious film festivals this fall, bringing Liberia Mission and its talented students to the big screen around the US and abroad.
Following on the heels of its successful World Premiere in Boston, "Son of None" will screen at the 12th Annual Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in Birmingham, the 46th Chicago International Film Festival and the Encounters 16th International Film Festival in the UK!
"Son of None" tells the story of Joshua, a seven-year-old Liberian orphaned by the civil war. He is constantly disheveled, falling behind and failing at school. As his birthday approaches and final exams loom, Joshua becomes preoccupied with finding the orphanage's missing goat and in the process reveals love and healing in the midst of great vulnerability.
An Obrigado Productions film, "Son of None" was written, produced, filmed, edited, and directed by Todd Looby who also created the "Children of Hope" documentary series about Liberia Mission.
Read more about "Son of None" here!
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Child Protection Update
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In early September, at the beginning  of the new school year, Liberia Mission Inc. held its 2010 staff training sessions on the Policy
for the Protection of Beneficiaries, the LMI/MHI child protection program.
The staff was actively engaged in the trainings, which were
led by Amy Spelz, the LMI Child Protection Advocate. The training
covered not only the safety rules for the Mission and mechanisms for reporting, but also the
warning signs for children who are abused. In three training sessions, which involved presentations, group break-out discussions and other tools for optimal learning and integration of the information, all the staff have been trained. Youth leaders are also being trained and, in the next week, all of the students and LMI residents will participate in the comprehensive training.
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"Build a Classroom, Brick by Brick" Campaign Launched!
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At an August 19th event at Greenheart Shop in Chicago, MHI  launched its "Build a Classroom, Brick by Brick" Campaign to raise funds for new, much-needed classrooms at Liberia Mission.
Just 1200 bricks will build a solid, safe, dry place for our children to learn and grow for years to come! Thanks to the generous support of donors across the country, we have 185 bricks so far. Buy your brick today and help us reach our goal of 1200 bricks!
Donate online and we will email you a "brick certificate" which you can give in honor of a loved one for a special occasion. Thanks!
Buy Your Brick online here!
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About Mission Honduras International / Liberia Mission
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Mission Honduras International is dedicated to breaking
the cycle of poverty for children and families through material and
spiritual support and a Catholic education.
Learn more on our website!
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