Amigos De Honduras 2016 Summary

Posted by Chris Parkinson (PDG) on Jul 31, 2016
 
The 2016 Rotary Mission Trips and Projects – By Chris Parkinson (Trip Leader)
 
 
Over the last fifteen years, Rotary District 7870 (60 Rotary Clubs in Southern NH and Southern VT) have had 27 mission trips and provided aid to Honduras which is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere.  Twenty (21) trips to Danli and Six (6) to San Pedro Sula.
 
Amigos De Honduras is a program of the Rotary District 7870 Foundation which is a non-profit corporation and two of the trustees of the foundation are Dr. Rich Berryman and Chris Parkinson. 
 
Since 2001, Amigos De Honduras has concentrated its efforts in four areas:
 
  • Medical Care -   We have seen approximately 26,000 medical and dental patients.   
  • Medical Equipment and Supplies
    • Over 12 Tons of Medical Supplies Transported by Team Members
    • 7 – 40’ Containers of Medical Equip. & Supplies
    • 3 Ambulances shipped
  • School Construction & Education – We have constructed 7 schools, expanded 3 schools, and converted 2 other buildings into schools.  We have repaired and painted 18 schools, and have also worked on a youth center and a drug rehabilitation facility.   We have also provided school uniforms to over 300 students – which are required for children to attend school. 
  • Pure Water  -  Working with another 501c3 Rotary partner,
Pure Water for the World, we have installed or funded over 11,000 water filters which provide clean water to more than 55,000 people. We have also provided wells and latrines to several villages.
 
One of the founders and the soul of this effort was Mary Crooker, from Nashua, who had been on 23 of the mission trips.IN 2015, Mary unfortunately died of ALS and the Rotarians in Danli named a school in her honor.Mary’s spirit lives on in everything we do.
 
This year’s Mission team traveled to Danli, Honduras on January 30, 2016, and returned on February 7, 2016.   The team of 18 people was led by Chris Parkinson; Dave Lawrence led the construction project which was the addition to the school that was built in 2015 in San Marcos Abajo; Jim Magennis led the Pure Water and Sanitation team to Trojes; Dr. Rory Richardson led the Medical Team; and, Dr. Jim Wright led the Dental team.  As team leader, Chris Parkinson coordinated all activity of the team travel, the project scope, and coordinated with the Foundation Treasurer with respect to all financial activity.