Summer 2020 Newsletter!
|
Our most recent newsletter hit the presses this month. Click here to read a letter from our founder, Zulena, the adventures from our missionary nurse, Marisa, an interview with one of our youth, and beautiful prayer intentions from a young adult graduate of the Farm.
Thank you to everyone who makes our newsletters possible, especially artist and former Board Member, Tim Boatright for designing our newsletters, and Intergro Inc. who donates all of the costs for printing and mailing! |
|
June COVID Update - June 10, 2020
We have adapted to many changes in daily life because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are thankful for the many ways that we are blessed, and are pleased to update you on the following:
- The Diocese of Trujillo plans to begin opening soon; public Mass for a maximum of 40 people is planned to begin in the next couple weeks
- Businesses are beginning to open up and restrictions are loosening; banks, hardware stores, and the municipality are now open regularly
- Our house parents and staff have continued to provide excellent and stable care to our children by continuing to remain on-site and make personal sacrifices to comply with quarantine and social distancing recommendations
- Our children continue receiving remote educational support with assignments via WhatsApp from their teachers
- Our missionary community supports the remote instruction daily from 9 - 11 am in the homes
- Our high school students receive tele-education in the computer lab via Zoom with their teacher
- Dr. Julio and our clinical team offer remote mental and physical health care to our children by supporting our missionary nurse
- We continue to provide weekly food provisions to many neighbors; your donations and the donations of many Honduran organizations are ensuring that those most in need receive food and necessities.
|
|
|
COVID - 19 Update, April 10, 2020
The response and support from our community have been truly a blessing! We have received many promises of prayer, kind messages, and generous contributions over the past three weeks. As we journey through the Triduum, we wish to thank you all for the continued support. It is with gratitude that we share the following updates with you:
Thank you, once again for accompanying Farm of the Child during this uncertain time. Know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers!
- The Farm community continues to be healthy and free from cases of COVID-19.
- The younger children at the Farm receive small group tutoring every day from 9 - 11 am with the missionaries while the older students are in communication with their teachers for their daily work.
- Our team of Franciscan Sisters continue to lead the community spiritually and have continued Liturgical celebrations and events for Holy Week. Although the outside community and neighbors cannot join, they lift all of our friends in prayer.
- A COVID Communication and Leadership team has been meeting to evaluate the current situation of both Honduras and the Farm and to ensure that the children and community have their needs met.
- We are growing closer to our goal of $10,000 in electronic donations for our Lenten Appeal campaign! To date, we have $7,350 in contributions. To donate, please use our Lenten Appeal Donation Form.
Thank you, once again for accompanying Farm of the Child during this uncertain time. Know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers!
COVID - 19 Update, March 28, 2020
Thank you for your prayers and support. Even though it seems like you are a million miles away, you are, in your own way, accompanying our Honduran brothers and sisters during this difficult time. We are grateful for your spiritual support; prayer is the most powerful tool.
The COVID-19 virus is directly affecting the community at Farm of the Child. The Honduran government restricted movements, encouraging people to stay at home and practice social distancing. While everyone on the Farm is currently healthy, the children and staff are in preventive quarantine within the Farm’s gates. Since classes were cancelled, our dedicated director Dania works with teachers to provide students with assignments they can do at home, much like many schools around the U.S. Our clinic is closed to the outside communities, but Dr. Julio visits a site near the Farm weekly so that we have access to medical care for any children or staff members on the Farm who may become ill. The government is closing roads as part of its effort to keep the virus from spreading. The Farm has been able to replenish its stockpile of food and other personal care and cleaning supplies. Just yesterday the Honduran Navy provided transportation and assisted our director María in purchasing the necessary provisions of food for the next month.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the economy and finances of many workers in our country and around the world and our beloved Farm. We know that all of us are experiencing financial uncertainty, and are grateful for the support our community has shown through prayer, kind words, and the communication we have received. Many of you have reached out to us to ask how you can support our effort to continue to care for the children in Honduras. If during this time you are able, please consider making a donation. Even a monthly contribution of five dollars makes a big difference! If you cannot commit to a monthly donation, please pray about making a one-time donation of the amount you can afford. A generous donor has agreed to match all donations made between now and Easter Sunday up to $10,000, so if financially supporting the mission has been on your heart recently, please know that the time to donate is now and leverage your sacrificial Lenten offering. Farm of the Child is so thankful for the many donors who make it possible for the organization to continue building the Kingdom of God in Honduras. Please know that your gifts of any size are greatly appreciated. To donate to our designated Lenten campaign, please visit our Lenten Appeal Donation Form.
Please continue to pray for the Farm of the Child community, our beautiful children, our house parents, our teachers, our missionaries, those in the community and for the health of all throughout the world during this difficult time and for peace in the hearts of all who are afraid. Thank you, once again for accompanying Farm of the Child during this uncertain time. Know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers!
The COVID-19 virus is directly affecting the community at Farm of the Child. The Honduran government restricted movements, encouraging people to stay at home and practice social distancing. While everyone on the Farm is currently healthy, the children and staff are in preventive quarantine within the Farm’s gates. Since classes were cancelled, our dedicated director Dania works with teachers to provide students with assignments they can do at home, much like many schools around the U.S. Our clinic is closed to the outside communities, but Dr. Julio visits a site near the Farm weekly so that we have access to medical care for any children or staff members on the Farm who may become ill. The government is closing roads as part of its effort to keep the virus from spreading. The Farm has been able to replenish its stockpile of food and other personal care and cleaning supplies. Just yesterday the Honduran Navy provided transportation and assisted our director María in purchasing the necessary provisions of food for the next month.
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the economy and finances of many workers in our country and around the world and our beloved Farm. We know that all of us are experiencing financial uncertainty, and are grateful for the support our community has shown through prayer, kind words, and the communication we have received. Many of you have reached out to us to ask how you can support our effort to continue to care for the children in Honduras. If during this time you are able, please consider making a donation. Even a monthly contribution of five dollars makes a big difference! If you cannot commit to a monthly donation, please pray about making a one-time donation of the amount you can afford. A generous donor has agreed to match all donations made between now and Easter Sunday up to $10,000, so if financially supporting the mission has been on your heart recently, please know that the time to donate is now and leverage your sacrificial Lenten offering. Farm of the Child is so thankful for the many donors who make it possible for the organization to continue building the Kingdom of God in Honduras. Please know that your gifts of any size are greatly appreciated. To donate to our designated Lenten campaign, please visit our Lenten Appeal Donation Form.
Please continue to pray for the Farm of the Child community, our beautiful children, our house parents, our teachers, our missionaries, those in the community and for the health of all throughout the world during this difficult time and for peace in the hearts of all who are afraid. Thank you, once again for accompanying Farm of the Child during this uncertain time. Know that you are in our daily thoughts and prayers!
COVID - 19 Update, March 21, 2020
The COVID-19 illness requires that organizations take actions and communicate to ensure the protection of those in our care, and those providing care and services. Farm of the Child USA has and continues to take prudent actions. We are communicating and working with our on-site director, staff, and missionaries to ensure that our home remains able to provide for the children and staff and missionaries who continue living on site. The following steps have been taken to ensure their safety:
We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done and continue to do.
- The Farm has been closed to outside people and residents and staff are sheltering in place
- The clinic and school have been closed to the outside community
- Our physician continues to serve the Farm children and on-site staff remotely to evaluate their health of the children in coordination with our resident nurse
- All unnecessary travel outside the Farm and from the United States has been suspended (mission trips and short-term visitors)
- The Farm is currently well supplied with food, potable water, medicine, and daily necessities for an extended period.
- We continue to provide psychosocial support and care to our children and staff with a combination of on-site and remote resources
- We consistently monitor local, regional, and international authorities to stay abreast of changing conditions, regulations, and requirements to keep our children and people as safe as possible
- We are taking active steps to mitigate exposure to the coronavirus in line with best practices provided by the WHO, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in strict observance of Honduran directives
- As a contingency, one of the buildings has been prepared to use as a place to quarantine if ever needed
We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all that you have done and continue to do.
Former Missionary Mary Kate honored by University of Notre Dame
|
September 13-14, 2019
Former Missionary Mary Kate Battle (2010-2012) was recognized as a Domer Dozen, a program honoring graduates in recognition of their significant contributions and extraordinary dedication to making a difference. While at the Farm of the Child, Mary Kate taught math and served students with special needs. During her second year in Honduras, she took over as manager of the adolescent girl program. After earning a graduate international economics and international relations degree from Johns Hopkins, Battle joined Catholic Relief Services. At CRS, she has supported programming in Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone. Her work ranges from village microfinance initiatives and supporting refugees from the Rohingya and Syrian crises, to supporting vulnerable children and youth and inter-religious and inter-ethnic peacebuilding projects. We are so proud of Mary Kate and her continued service to bring a brighter future to many! Continue to read about this honor here! |
Missionary Wins Story Telling Prize!
|
September 2019
Laura Camarata, missionary 2016-2018, is the WINNER of Catholic Volunteer Network’s annual Volunteer Story & Photo Contest. Her article, Choose Service Anyway, is featured as the cover story of the 2020 edition of their annual service magazine RESPONSE. Each year, Catholic Volunteer Network asks their member programs and their volunteers to submit stories and photos of their daily life to share and celebrate their experiences of faith-based service. Thank you, Laura, for sharing your experience and profound reflection! Read her article here! 
|
|
Board of Directors Meet
July 27-28 2019
The Board of Directors of Farm of the Child gathered in The Hamptons, NY along with two representatives from the Board of Directors of Honduras to strategically plan for the upcoming year. The Board said good-bye to several retiring board members and welcomed Fr. Matthew K., CSC to the Board. As a part of this 2 day event the Board wishes to acknowledge and thank all of our former & current missionaries, donors, employees, Franciscan Sisters, and volunteers.
The Board of Directors of Farm of the Child gathered in The Hamptons, NY along with two representatives from the Board of Directors of Honduras to strategically plan for the upcoming year. The Board said good-bye to several retiring board members and welcomed Fr. Matthew K., CSC to the Board. As a part of this 2 day event the Board wishes to acknowledge and thank all of our former & current missionaries, donors, employees, Franciscan Sisters, and volunteers.
Missed our Summer Newsletter? Read it now!
|
July 2019
Our most recent newsletter hit the presses last month. Click here to read about our new director, Maria Ofelia, a family's journey to Honduras, and a beautiful reflection on prayer written by missionary Emily W. As you read, join us as we give thanks for all members of community and continue to lift the Farm in prayer. In Emily's words, "Praise you Father for your work of redemption and resurrection in this place. Thank you for the freedom and joy our kids experience here. Protect them from any fear of the future. Teach me to encourage them in the little way of trust and love. I know that you are with them, that you do not leave them orphaned. Father, I entrust each of them to you." Amen. |
|
Encountering Holy and Humble Hearts
|
September 2018
Every summer, college students and recent college graduates volunteer to serve as summer missionaries at Farm of the Child. Megan W. recently reflected on her time spent teaching and serving at the Farm this summer for Notre Dame's Examine. She shared, " My heart was brought closer to Christ’s suffering heart when hearing stories of great hardship and trial, or in the more taxing moments of living in community or in the detachment required to live out a radically simplistic lifestyle. Above all else, my daily experiences and encounters drew me closer to the humble heart of Christ, leading to a transformation within my own human heart." Click and read the full article. |
|
|
DINAF Recognition and CertificationJuly, 2018- Tegucigalpa, Honduras
This July, Finca del Niño was officially recognized by the Honduran Government as a children's home certified to provide Integral Protection and care to the children of Honduras. Finca del Niño is only the second private children's home to receive this distinction. Congratulations to our director, Franciscan sisters, psychologist, social workers, house staff, missionaries and all employees who serve the children and make the Finca a home. |
Small Things with Great LoveJuly 20, 2018- Safety Harbor, FL
Mother Teresa famously said, "Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." The Farm of the Child has been so blessed by a community of supporters that take this message to heart. We wish to thank McKenzie and Camila of Safety Harbor, Florida who spent all day selling lemonade in order to support the Farm. Through their generosity, creativity and joy in serving, they remind us that we can all do small things and contribute to building God's Kingdom on Earth. Thank you, McKenzie and Camila! |
|
Art & Hope Exhibit for the Children of Honduras a Great Success
July 11, 2018- St. Petersburg, FL
The Development Committee for Farm of the Child presented a night of art, hors d'oeuvres and community in order to raise funds and awareness for the children of the Farm. Current adolescents and children contributed original artwork that they had created in June. Their artwork was showcased alongside pieces from local artists and international handicrafts. The evening culminated with a presentation from the Development Committee about the mission of the Farm and the current needs. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate the Farm and who contributed to the event!
|
|
|