Until December, Honduras.

So I'm sorry it's been so long since I've last updated this thing. I actually wrote a novel of an entry four days after I got back from Honduras, but somehow, the entire thing got deleted. I miraculously restrained myself from launching my computer through a window. But my blog and I are friends again, so now I can rewrite about my incredible two-week adventure in Honduras!

My second visit to Honduras was so different from my first. Back in March, I went to Honduras not knowing anyone, expecting nothing. Everything was new, overwhelming, and exciting, in the most amazing way. I guess you could say the world that I knew was turned upside-down (or right side-up, however you want to look at it). That one week gave me a fresh perspective on life and made me a better person. It changed my life.

The second time around, I knew what to expect before I went, for the most part, and I was looking forward to so many things: all the kids and families at Villa, all the kids at IHNFA (the orphanage SHH helps), the hotel staff, and the SHH staff. I was excited to see all the progress that had been made on the learning center, finish the education center, meet new families and kids at Villa, and to meet new volunteers. It was also a different experience because I was a student leader during the second week in May that I was in Honduras.

You don't really think about it as a volunteer, probably because you're going through way too many emotions to think, but there's a LOT that goes into making an amazing SHH trip. I have an entirely new appreciation for Clare and everything she did back in March, just so I could have a life-changing experience. Instead of living the experience myself, my job, along with Emily’s and Jess’s, was to facilitate that life-changing experience for each volunteer. And let me tell you: it's way more fun to have the experience than it is to create that experience for thirty other people. But, although it was stressful at times, in the end, all the hard work we put into those trips paid off when I saw how affected each and every volunteer was throughout the entire trip. Seeing their perspectives change right before my eyes was such a rewarding feeling because I played a part in making that happen!

The inauguration of the education center took place during the second week I was in Honduras, and I’m so glad I was a part of it because it marks a huge moment for SHH. From March to May, the education center went from being a large, gray, empty structure, to being a bright, beautiful building filled with computers, books, and eager children, ready to learn. The kids at Villa now have the opportunity to learn and broaden their horizons whenever they want. They're no longer restricted from learning because their teachers went on strike for the hundredth time, or because their school uniforms weren't in perfect condition. Now that they've been given the resources they need to succeed, the sky's the limit for these brilliant kids.

Going back to IHNFA was one of my favorite parts of the trip. IHNFA is a government-run orphanage that SHH tries to help in every way we can. There are several IHNFAs all over Honduras, but this one in particular is called, "Nueva Esperanza" and it's a transitionary orphanage for young children. Although children are supposed to get transferred out, there are currently 150 children living in an orphanage that is only supposed to hold 80 children. Most of these kids have been verbally, physically, or sexually abused. But despite their bleak pasts, these kids are so full of light, energy, and love. There were some children at IHNFA who were sadder than others, but if someone took the time to play with them, they would start laughing and having fun in no time. That's what I love about these kids, and kids in general: they are so resilient. Their resilience gives me hope that, no matter how difficult life gets, kids always have the will and ability to bounce back. We played on the playground, drew pictures and cards, and I pushed them on the swings, and they were honestly happier than children on Christmas morning. They appreciate the littlest things in life and they make me appreciate my life so much more.

On my last day at Villa, I walked around to a few of the houses with Melissa and Taylor to say goodbye to the families and the kids. It would be a complete understatement to say that I was a mess when it was time to leave. After spending three weeks with these kids and their families, the ninos have become my little brothers and sisters, and their families have become my family. These kids may not have much, but they have an unlimited amount of love to give and they give it to everyone. They open their hearts and their homes to us, and treat us like we're a part of their families, so saying goodbye is so hard. Every time I go to Honduras, I feel like my heart opens up more and more, and it's because of these kids and their families that I continue to become a better person.

I was a little nervous about my second trip. Don't get me wrong: I was beyond excited to be back in Honduras, to be back at Villa, but I knew there was no way that this trip could ever be as amazing as my first. I'm so glad I was wrong. My second trip only reaffirmed my unrelenting love for this country, these people, and this cause. And those kids... they have my freaking heart. I'll do anything to see them succeed.

And clearly, the trip wouldn't have been what it was without all the volunteers that I met, all the hard work put in by the SHH staff, the great accommodations and crazy-delicious food made by the hotel staff, Mayliss (who completely surprised me by showing up on the second trip!), or Em, Jess, and Brit - we were the best student leaders SHH has ever had... and the only, haha.

Until December, Honduras.