On Tuesday February 26, 2008 we held the Dedication of the El Hogar Technical Institute in the Amarateca Valley.  It was a glorious event!  The day dawned with a crystal blue sky, a gentle warm breeze, and much excitement in the air.

Over 500 people were in attendance; over 50 guests who came from the US and Canada for the occasion, including the Board of Directors of El Hogar Ministries, all the El Hogar children and staff, and many Honduran dignitaries and guests.  Buses, vans and cars arrived at the Institute around 10:00 in the morning and the day began with a Eucharist service held in the auditorium, which occupies the whole second floor of the new library building.  The bilingual service was led by the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Emmanuel Allen, the Bishop of Honduras, with an altar party of Honduran and American priests, and El Hogar acolytes and crucifers.  The service was colorful and lively, enhanced by the live music of the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church band. Part of the service included walking out in small groups to each building and area of the campus to offer prayers and blessings with holy water.  It was moving to see an Institute student hold the branch and shake water while offering a blessing on one of the buildings he calls home.

Following the service and a short break, we gathered again in the auditorium for a Dedication program.  Facilitated by Heyser Valenzuela, the El Hogar music and mathematics teacher, speeches were given by Lazaro Juarez, Director of the Technical Institute, Rev. Richard Kunz, Executive Director of El Hogar Projects, Liz Kinchen, Executive Director of El Hogar Ministries, and Justo Enrique Valentin, a current Institute student.  In every case, the remarks focused on the dream that this new Institute had been, and how with God’s help, and the tremendous support given by friends of El Hogar in the US and Canada, that dream became the reality experienced that day.  Rich Kunz talked about how the buildings themselves were sacred because they were built by love as well as hard work, and infused with God’s spirit through the teaching and leadership of Lazaro.  Liz highlighted the long hours and loving dedication of Raul Castro, the El Hogar Project Leader, who managed the entire project with skill and grace, and acknowledged the extraordinary leadership of the Honduran Directors.

The speeches were interspersed with lively marimba music, played by the El Hogar Marimba band, and by a folklorica dance performance given by several of the youngest children at El Hogar – the boys and the new girls at El Hogar.  Many plaques and honorable mention were given to those who had played key roles in the project, and Honduran dignitaries such as the Minister of Education and the Ambassador to Honduras’ wife were introduced.  The Honduras press was there, and the evening news aired footage of the event and interviews with several guests.

Lunch was served at various locations throughout the campus, and people had time to roam around the grounds and see all the buildings - spotless, polished, and beautiful in their simplicity.  The Institute boys held tours of the grounds for all the visitors, proudly and graciously showing their home.  They were beaming throughout the day, clearly happy, grateful and proud of the place they call home, and of all it means to them – an opportunity to transform their lives and lift them out of the extreme poverty into which they were born.

El Hogar is offering just that – an opportunity for new life and hope for children born into circumstances of desperate poverty.  For these children, El Hogar is a miracle – not just a place to live, but a home in which to learn, grow, thrive, and become all that God intends for every human being. These boys graduate not only with education and skills for employment, but with dignity, self-esteem and knowledge of the love of God.  They in turn are role models for their families, neighbors, friends, co-workers and all they meet.

The new Technical Institute was funded by the generosity of friends and supporters through the US and Canada.  It took four years (with one last building to be completed this summer), 1.7 million dollars, and much hard work and loving commitment.  El Hogar extends it deepest thanks to everyone who has helped make this dream come true!

Liz Kinchen
Executive Director, El Hogar Ministries

Click here to view a slide show of the Dedication

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

Listen to speeches given during a dinner celebration

Read a letter from Rev. Kunz about the Dedication