Dedication 2008

This February we held a formal dedication of the new campus for St. Mary's Technical Institute.  Most of the buildings are complete, with only the chapel requiring more work.  We have, of course, been using the new campus, but each completed building adds new resources, and allows us to offer more to the students who are studying there.

The completion of this campus has been an effort that has drawn on the generosity of many people over quite a long time.  We could have done nothing without our amazing donors, and we are thankful for all of you.  In addition, work crews for the last few years have been doing glamorous things like hauling sand, painting, laying block, digging foundations, and otherwise risking blisters and heat stroke.  Without their efforts we could not have afforded the building we have.  Some of you have joined us in getting the word of this need out, and we appreciate your enthusiastic advocacy.

I think the end result is striking.  Over the course of the building, we made several decisions that I think were important.  One is that we decided to support the local economy wherever possible.  This meant that, instead of paying for the rental of construction equipment, we hired a Honduran work crew.  Those who have worked with this crew have found that they are a wonderful bunch of guys, and they have truly enjoyed the interaction with the work groups.  We have provided them with income so they could support their families for almost four years.  I think this is significant.

We also decided that, while keeping things simple, we wanted our students to have a dignified and professional environment in which to live and learn.  Our buildings have no luxuries, including things like hot water, but they are beautiful, and convey to the students that they are valuable persons who are not getting a second-rate education, but one that will carry them into a successful future.

We also decided that we would build for the long term.  Much as this was a great experience, we are not anxious to do it again within the next 50 years!  The buildings as they stand are designed to meet the needs of the Institute for a long time to come.

Many visitors from the US and Canada joined us for the dedication.  Bishop Allen celebrated with a Eucharist, and led us in blessing the buildings.  We held a program after the Eucharist to give thanks together, and then shared a meal.  The students had been looking forward to this chance to host lots of visitors and thank those whose generosity has made all this possible.

The general theme of the service was thanksgiving, our emphasis was not on the buildings themselves, but on the students whom we exist to serve.  Buildings are wonderful, but the community that comes together to form St. Mary's Technical Institute is our main purpose for being.

The Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director
El Hogar Projects




Read Liz Kinchen's description of the Dedication

View a slide show of the Dedication celebrations in Honduras.

Click here to view a slide show of our new Technical Institute

Listen to speeches given during a dinner celebration



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