The office at the Hartselle Church of Christ is filled with pictures of Honduran children smiling from framed photos and snapshots under magnets on filing cabinets.
Most of them have never been to America, but they are very dear to the heart of church secretary Jerrie Swann. She has been working with these children through the Por Los Ninos program since 1996.
The Por Los Ninos is a children’s home in Catacamas, Honduras sponsored by the American Family Life Missions group. The campus houses nearly 50 children in four homes with host parents. They have an elementary school on the site, and they hope to grow to six houses in the future.
Swann said she felt compelled to join the effort when she heard the stories of the children.
“Most of these kids were eating out of garbage cans and living on the streets before they came to Por Los Ninos,” Swann said. “There was no one to help them since many of them are orphans or being raised by a single mother who doesn’t have the means to care for them. I knew my dad was always sending supplies to them, and I wanted to help.”
Swann has since taken six trips to Honduras to organize supplies and help add to the campus. She has also started coin bank fundraisers and encouraged several church members to sponsor children. Swann also sends birthday cards to every child in the group throughout the year.
“My husband and I sponsor three children, and we have for several years now,” Swann said. “I’ve been able to help one of my Sunday school classes become a clothes amigo for a child as well. Even though this isn’t a specific mission funded by our church, I figured I would do everything I could to support them. I’ve had a lot of help from family and friends from church.”
Swann said the children’s gratefulness is heart warming.
“They are so loving, and they really appreciate everything,” Swann said. “Most of them don’t speak English but they show their gratitude in more physical ways. We get lots of hugs, and one girl who I didn’t even sponsor drew me a picture and sent it home with someone when I wasn’t able to make the trip down there.”
Por Los Ninos focuses on developing Honduran Christians who will be able to give back to their community. They allow the children to have a formal education from kindergarten to high school and then give scholarships for them to further their education at a university. Most Hondurans have a third grade education, if they have a formal education at all.
“Por Los Ninos is very special to these kids,” Swann said. “Most of them stay until they finish at a university, and many come back after that. Some of them before host parents and others help out in different ways until they find another job.”
During Swann’s trips, the groups have contributed in different ways.
“We have painted new dorms and beds before or had doctors who performed physicals,” Swann said. “Dr. Echols and his son were on the trip once, and they are both dentists. They were able to use a local dentists office to give oral care. We also left toothbrushes and toothpaste for everyone. My favorite job is loving on the kids though.”
More information about Por Los Ninos and the efforts of the Family Life Missions can be found on porlosninos.org our on their Facebook page.