Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Mario Agueto
We visited with Mario Agueto, a historian from the National University, who briefed us on current politics and culture in Honduras and events that led up to what was happening. He was so knowledgeable and very charming! He really gave us the background we needed to know how important Heifer's work is in helping the Honduran people!
Morning at the Center
Even plants can be sensitive...
Kelli demonstrated the adaptation of the Sensitivity Plant. When touched, it closed up to make it less attractive to plant eating predators. 
Learning about SIEMENTE
Gloria Wheeler's sister, Norma and her colleague, Teresa, teachers with SIEMENTE women's cooperative in Langue, introduced us to their program and briefed us about Sebastian, the gentleman who passed on the heifer at Conception de Maria. He was the first man included in the SIEMENTE group. He had been left to care for four children - the youngest one was 9 months old. He was having trouble making ends meet and the women included him in the project to help him do better for his family. One problem - Sebastian was grateful to the women and did everything the women told him to. He was NOT showing the traditional "machismo" from Latin culture and the women started hen pecking him. They were given gender equity training to help them treat Sebastian with respect!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Juan Jose
He is displaying a beautiful box-one of many that he carved and had for sale. He also created the picture frame in the background. He was truly an artisan!
Shopping at the Center
Tim and Gloria invite friends who are craftsmen to bring their wares to the Center for visitors to purchase. Maria, Bill, Ed and Laura are looking over the beautiful wood work of Juan Jose. I purchased one of his boxes and I also purchased beautiful silver and pottery in the Center's gift shop. It was amazing how much one could buy-there was a wide array of articles available for sale!
Chapel at the Center
Tim and Gloria have built a beautiful chapel on their property. I really admire the architecture of Honduran dwellings. The abundance of Mahogany wood for doors and trim really makes it beautiful!
Marco Marchado
One of our speakers at the center was Marco Marchado, Director of Heifer Project International, Honduras. He knows his country's need and knows Heifer's ability to help alleviate the need. He seems very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his job!
Music to Celebrate!
These two gentlemen were among the most enthusiastic fiddlers I've ever witnessed! Being a fiddler, myself, I truly admired the spirit and fun of their performance! The gentleman on the right sang and played. One song included verses about cruising in his car...he had a new battery...the gyst of the song was he had a vehicle and he was proud! What a great song for them to perform on the day Sebastian was able to pass on the gift he was given!
The Young Men
These handsome young men from Conception de Maria were really checking out the visitors in town. We were glad when we were able to communicate with them via Chris, Jenny and Maria. They really were very nice. However, when we were staying in our group like we were in a huddle and they were looking on, the intimidation factor was high! Communication, in Martha Stewart's words, "is a good thing". 
Maria makes contact
Maria visits with members of the Conception de Maria community. We were all standing together in our group and community members were WATCHING US! Someone got the idea to take pictures with our digital cameras and then share the pictures via the screens on the back. The young men, especially, seemed to enjoy seeing themselves. Maria, Chris and Jenny, with their command of spanish, helped us to make contact!
The Community Center at Conception de Maria
The Heifer bus is parked outside of the community center in Conception de Maria. When we arrived, we tried to inconspiciously (ha-ha) move to the rear of the center for the "Passing the Gift" ceremony. The community would have nothing of that! They moved us to the front! We were fortunate to have Maria, Jenny and Chris in addition to Gloria - they all spoke Spanish and helped us to communicate with the community. It was wonderful to be able to be a participant and not just an observer!
Parking Lot at the town "watering hole"
We took a walk after the ceremony and happened upon the parking lot at the town watering hole. Cars are a luxury in Honduras. If you have one, you are considered rich. You are also considered worthy transportation for those in need in your community. Everywhere we went on the Heifer bus, Gloria always picked up extra passengers. 
Passing the Gift
Tim Wheeler, consultant for Heifer Honduras (center) and Tim Newman, Heifer International Education/School Programs Director and worthy leader of our tour(right) stand with Sebastian(left) as he passes on this heifer to the young lady holding the rope. Sebastian was left with four young children to raise on his own. The women of the Simiente Cooperative took him under their wing and helped him receive a heifer from HPI Honduras.
Many people who have been involved with Heifer never see this "Passing the Gift" ceremony. We felt so honored to be included in this special celebration in Conception de Maria!
Many people who have been involved with Heifer never see this "Passing the Gift" ceremony. We felt so honored to be included in this special celebration in Conception de Maria!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Making Rope
Many people supplement their families' incomes by making rope. They buy the fibers, unknot them and then spin them on a crude loom. They sell the rope and also sell hammocks and purses that they make from the rope.
The church in Langue
This beautiful church is 202 years old! We visited with the priest and he told us about the history. 
Our Caretakers in Honduras
From left to right, Luisa, Gloria, Jose and Neimesis and I can't forget Tarzan, the beautiful dog! They all took such wonderful care of us in Honduras and worked hard to ensure that our trip would be a learning experience never to forget!
My Roommates!
We paused for a moment at this scenic overlook and Barbara Harper, Maria Tapia-Franco and I had our picture taken together. The entire crew of Study Tour #1 was incredible. Everyone got along and everyone had something important to share. Everyone was open-minded and ready to learn. It was such a fantastic group of people with whom to share this tremendous, once in a lifetime experience. 
Lake Hoya
This beautiful lake, Lake Hoya, is the only fresh water lake in Honduras. 
Behind the Lines
We stopped at some road side stands to purchase hammocks and purses. As we were walking back to the bus, I noticed the dwelling of one of the merchants. The beautiful hammocks and purses that caught our eyes had hidden the need of this family.
The children we help
The media specialist at Langston in Hot Springs, Jan Hodges, told me that our kids wanted to know who exactly were the children that we were helping. These children were sitting on their front steps as we entered their village. 
Dr. Phil and the Bull
Phil was cutting across a pasture, catching up with the group as we walked to another site with Raoul. Little did he know, Senor Bull was in the pasture with him! Tim started calling, "Phil, Phil...PHIL!" Only then did Phil realize who was behind him. Phil can run FAST when he needs to! 
Raoul with Gringa
Raoul is a very proud project partner. He shows us Gringa the original heifer from Heifer International. Gringa has helped Raoul start a very successful worm/fertilizer operation in addition to giving milk to his children and giving birth to a heifer to be passed on. He passed the gift onto us because he taught us about his work and his enthusiasm was infectious!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Ready to celebrate!
On our visit, we were treated to music (this stereo was wired to a car battery) , dancing and delicious soup. The villagers had palm leaves across the entry to the place where the ceremony was held. They decorated the gate with lilies and palm fronds. It was beautiful! We were treated like royals when I felt that the villagers themselves, with their hard work and dedication to the livestock they were given and to making a better life for themselves with Heifer, were the ones deserving the royal treatment!
Fiesta Time!
These children were waiting for us on the other side of the river! It was obviously a time for celebration and come to find out, we were a part of a "Passing the Gift" ceremony that included the sharing of FIVE Heifers! Many NEVER get to see ONE "Passing the Gift" ceremony, and we were so blessed to see SIX being passed on! It was certainly a time for celebration! 
