Olancho Aid Foundation

Solidarity Project

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

From June 9th to 18th, Olancho Aid hosted a group of 16 young adults from the parish of St. John the Evangelist. The group supported the organization and mission of solidarity projects to improve the environment of public schools. This year two schools benefited from the hard work of the group: Jacobo Murillo Lara School from the La Paz community, 30 minutes outside of Juticalpa, and Francisco Morazan School from La Posolera, Telica community. During their trip, the group had the opportunity to share both hard work and fun times with students and children of the community. Despite cultural and language barriers, the group made unforgettable memories with the communities.

Farewell to 2008-2009 Volunteers

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Pictured from the left: Erin Ernest, Eric Macias, Maria� Balata, John Monley, and Ginny Rainwater.

As the locals say, the door to Olancho is very wide and easy to enter, but the exit is a narrow and difficult path. As the school year at Santa Clara comes to an end, Olancho Aid says good bye to five outstanding volunteers and teachers who will make their way towards the exit. Each of our teachers dedicated themselves not only to their students, but to the values of a quality bilingual Catholic education. We thank them for their commitment and compassion.
Of our volunteers at Santa Clara, Erin Ernest, Eric Macias, Maria� Balata, and John Monley, were all long-term volunteers who made the commitment to stay for the school year. While they will be missed in the classrooms of Santa Clara next year, we also wish them the best of luck as they go on to pursue other callings in life, such as John Monley, the sixth grade teacher, who will be attending law school in the fall and Maria� Balata, the second grade teacher, who will be attending Catholic University for her masters degree in Historical and Systematic Theology. Our fifth grade teacher, Ginny Rainwater, will be returning to Santa Clara again this fall as a volunteer. We wish them all the best of luck in their future endeavors and offer our gratitude

Student Carnival and Walk, Student Celebration Week

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Student Week is an important week for our students filled with celebration and various activities. The Cardenal Rodriguez Institute kicked off the event with the Celebration of the Word. Students then broke off into groups led by Dr. Napoleon and Zapata Luis Figueroa, B.A. Several activities were planned for this program included activities with teachers, a �Mr. and Mrs. Cardenal Rodriguez� contest, dancing and a buffet of typical Honduran food made by student�s parents, teachers and administration.

This event was conducted by 12th graders with the support of Director Ixa Castro and Julissa Juarez, teacher.

The Escuelita Nazareth also celebrated the day with older students from the center who preferred to pass the day in a tourist center. They enjoyed swimming in a pool, one of their favorite activities, a hearty and delicious lunch and various games arranged by their teachers. It was an unforgettable day for all of them.

Workshop for Teachers at the Cardinal Rodriguez Institute

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

On May 28th and 29th Cardinal Rodriguez Institute teachers received a workshop on methodology and assessment in order to facilitate the process of educational transformation and the use of standards in grades seven through twelve. In 2010, a standardized national curriculum and evaluation will be implemented whose purpose is to standardize the assessment processes that take place in the system by providing precise guidelines that ensure consistency, flexibility, vitality and functionality to achieve continuous improvement in the quality of education.

First Communion, Santa Clara

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In a Mass celebrated on Saturday, May 30th, 24 students of the Santa Clara school marked an important point in their Christian lives. Celebrated at the Santa Clara Chapel and led by Father Richard Donahue, students received Jesus in their hearts through the host and enjoyed this first encounter with Jesus in a ceremony full of details and spiritual value. Together with their families and friends, students lit the candle of faith saying prayers to God for the spiritual life and with much joy received this sacrament.

Cardenal Rodriguez Institute Students Share their Knowledge with Channel 24

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Cardenal Rodriguez Institute was invited by Channel 24 to participate in the �Que Tanto Sabes� (How Much Do You Know?) segment of the �Dale Ritmo� (Give It Rhythm) program. The goal was to get to know students and test their knowledge on the culture and general history of their school. Stephany Michell Martinez, Maria Jose Garcia and Jose Carlos Vindel were worthy representatives of the Institute answering 100% of the questions correctly. The success is attributed to the hard work of the teachers preparing students to become professionals.

Peace March 2009

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

This past Friday, students from Escuelita Nazareth, Santa Clara and Cardenal Rodriguez Institute participated in the Peace March with the mission of promoting a peaceful culture among youth and adolescents. Joined by different schools and government representatives attendance reached an estimated 10,000 participants. The event was sponsored by the United Nations and coordinated by the Joint Program for the Support of Human Security in Honduras who currently have offices in the cities of Comayagua, Choluteca and Juticalpa.

The Joint Program for the Support of Human Security in Honduras works with schools to promote healthy decisions and establishes vocational shops to keep students busy. Escuelita Nazareth has benefited from the program with the creation of a vocational shop making ice pops.

Tribute to Honduran Mothers

Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The second Sunday of May is dedicated to the celebration of the Honduran Mother�s day, each of the Olancho Aid projects: Cardenal Rodriguez Institute, Escuelita Nazareth and Santa Clara; went to a well-deserved tribute to the mothers of the various schools. Celebrations began with a Mass of thanksgiving followed by performances which recognized the tremendous role that mothers play in the family. Mothers in attendance also received gifts.

Instituto Oscar Cardenal Rodr�guez

Escuelita Nazareth

Centro Escolar Santa Clara

Honduran Father's Day Celebration, March 19

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In order to commemorate Father's Day, the Olancho Aid projects celebrated with different cultural, artistic, and sports activities.

The Cardenal Rodr�guez Institute began the day by celebrating mass. Later the students presented dances, skits, and songs and participated in a soccer game between fathers and sons.

Santa Clara students expressed gratitude and love to their fathers by presenting a heartfelt play showing the importance of having a responsible fatherly influence in their lives. The Santa Clara dads participated in all the festivities, as they danced and enjoyed delicious appetizers.

In similar fashion, the Nazareth School presented an emotional program where the students and their fathers participated together in each activity.

'Padrino' Sponsorship Helps Nazareth Students Start School Year with New Clothes & Supplies

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600

Each February, the Nazareth students start the new academic year with a special shopping trip for new school supplies and clothes. The event, which took place this year on Valentine's Day, is made possible by Nazareth 'Padrinos,' or godparents, who sponsor the children. The padrinos make possible the scholarships that we are able to offer the majority of the students at Nazareth and also help with special projects like the annual "Christmas in February" shopping trip.

The students look forward to the "Christmas in February" event each year, as it is an opportunity for them to independently select clothing and supplies for themselves, an opportunity that might not be possible otherwise, as many of the Nazareth students come from the families of greatest needs in the community.

Thank you to all of our Padrinos for your ongoing support of the children of Nazareth and the work of the Olancho Aid Foundation. The school's success and ability to provide a life of dignity and happiness for the children would not be possible without you. If you are interested in participating in the Padrino program, please email us at info@olanchoaid.org.

OAF in the Spotlight: CNVS Features Olancho Aid in Newsletter

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0600

OAF Featured in CNVS newsletter,
The Catholic Network of Volunteer Service put the spotlight on the Olancho Aid Foundation this month in their newsletter, How Can I Help?, which focused this month on international volunteering. Read the article here.

Olancho Aid Needs Volunteers! Great Opportunities to Serve Others

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

The Olancho AId Foundation is seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year. Many of these positions are excellent opportunities to gain experience and to take on leadership roles in the field of education. If you or someone you know is interested in these positions, please email us at info@olanchoaid.org. Help us spread the word!

Reading Specialist needed for Santa Clara

The Reading Specialist will act as a guide teacher for other teachers in the school building, providing workshops and answers to daily questions. We are seeking someone who is very familiar with school libraries and children's literature in general, and someone who will meet with individual students or small groups who are struggling with reading problems. The Reading Specialist will help to further train teachers and implement existing reading programs and serve as a link between the main office and the classrooms in the specific area of reading.

Click here for a full job description

Bilingual School Psychologist for Santa Clara

The Olancho Aid Foundation is seeking a qualified, bilingual school psychologist to volunteer at its bilingual primary and middle school, Santa Clara to provide personal counseling for students related to emotional, social and academic concerns and work as a team member with school principal and learning support staff to provide coordinated student services.

Click here for a full job description, required experience and education.

Volunteer teachers needed at Santa Clara - Emphasis on English/Social Studies, Math/Science, Art/Music

We are looking for qualified teachers to teach English/Social Studies, Math/Science, Art/Music in our new 7th grade. We're also looking for other volunteer teachers to teach in our lower school.

Click here for a full description of our needs and for more information

Fundraising, Outreach & Volunteer Recruitment Volunteer Position

We are looking for a volunteer with business administration, nonprofit and/or fundraising experience to help us organize our central office, form a strategic and annual fundraising plan, and market the organization to potential volunteers, donors and support networks to help us as we continue to grow! This is an excellent opportunity to take on a leadership role in a nonprofit organization, and to develop marketing, fundraising and development skills.

Click here for more information.

Thank you to our donors for your support on our flood construction projects!

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

The Olancho Aid Foundation has completed its work on construction projects for those friends of OAF whose homes were damaged by recent flooding late last year. Through the generous support of our donors, the Foundation was able to make repairs to three houses, which included reconstructing walls destroyed by rock slides, providing running water for our dear friend and long-time Santa Clara employee Do�a Marina, and replacing the wooden structure of Juan Carlos� family with a new, cement house that will resist future flooding. In addition, OAF used flood construction donations to provide these families with new beds, furniture and kitchen supplies, as well as short-term financial support on mortgages as they rebuilt their lives after the floods.

We hope to continue with future projects to help the community of Juticalpa, and would not be able to do so without the generous support of friends like those who contributed the funds in support of these projects:

Jeff Post, Jim Gray, Fr, John Boll (St. Anthony's Parish), Armand Jaques, Bridget Levich, Bill & Carol Loscutoff, Matthew & Oriana Wehner, Ann and Jerry Reioux, Robin Family (Marisela, Bill, Jake), Kay Barretto, Joann Santavy (Aunt Joann), Lauren Benedict, Mary Moran, Colin & Anne Monley, Dick & Karen Cronin, Keith & Cyndi Young, Pat & Beth Monley, Monley Cronin, Inc., Melvin & Anna Neville, Tim & Nancy Cronin, Jason & Erika Jaques, Ken and Diana Reiff, Christopher Post, Laura Nelson, Jean & Jon Olson, Mark & Anne Engstrom, Tom & Peg Monley, Mary Gholson, Jeff Lefkoff, Marta Garcia, Salvador & Maria Garcia, Robin Dewey, Stella Ruiz, Joseph & Jan Carr, Anna Zoltko, Anita Floyd Dodson, Dannie Lee Dodson, Ellen and John Woodson, Marilyn Corker, Matthew Dusing, Interact Club - Skyline High School, Israel Lopez, James McBryan, Anne Mooney, Nahz Anvary, Jessica Santavy, Lina Monley, Joe and Joan Cronin, John J. Santavy, Concrete Construction, James & Doris Fuchs, Mary Monley, Jimmy Hamlin,Tom O'leary, William & Cynthia Coughlan, Linda Braccia, Gary Ferry, Susan Matthews, Kathy McNeely, Tom & Lynn Mills, Patti & Glen Murphy, Kathy Oneil, Darlene Sullivan, Kathy Hanson,Debbie Delprete,Alan Lynch, Christopher Ernest, Howard & Pat Ernest, anonymous donors from Holy Family Catholic Church, Rockland, MA

Thank you for your support!

El Instituto Cardenal Ranked in Top 10 Best High Schools in Honduras

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0600

A recent study released by the Secretary of Education of Honduras ranks El Instituto Cardenal Rodriguez, the high school managed by the Olancho Aid Foundation, as one of the Top 10 Best High Schools in Honduras. The survey examined 100 of the most prestigious private and public high schools and ranked El Instituto Cardenal as number nine.

The study notes that those high schools overseen by religious organizations earned the best results in the study and highlights the higher standards and quality of education and teaching among groups like the Olancho Aid Foundation.

"This achievement is one that the entire Olancho Aid Foundation is celebrating," commented Father Richard Donahue, founder of the Olancho Aid Foundation. "It is a reflection of our continued commitment to high standards in teaching and education in the Juticalpa community, and to preparing young people for higher education and professional pursuits."

As our student enrollment continues to grow, the Olancho Aid Foundation hopes to further develop and increase the educational offerings at El Instituto Cardenal through special projects that include increasing the school's library collection, expanding the science lab and providing students with greater and varied education opportunities that foster critical and independent thinking.

Our work would not be possible without the committed support of our donors and volunteers. If you or someone you know are interested in helping the Foundation with improvement projects or in volunteering, please email us at info@olanchoaid.org.