Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program
28 Mar
When I lived on Roatan, I would take a stroll on the beach every morning, walking along the water’s edge, feeling the warm sand squish between my toes, the salty Caribbean Sea lapping at my ankles while… I swatted away the sand fleas! Yes, paradise has its downsides too.
The other thing I would do while on these morning jaunts was rescue starfish. I don’t know the technicalities of why it happens, but I would encounter a few (or more) starfish washed up on the beach. I’d pick them up, marvel at their unique beauty, wade out to slightly deeper water (not too deep mind you, my fear of water kicks in once the water line gets above my waist) and return the starfish to their home; surely saving them from being eaten by a passing bird or drying out in the intense heat emitting from the sun.
Was I making a difference? With each starfish I returned to the sea, my mind would wander to the parable about this very endeavour. Could I rescue them all? Heck no! But I’m sure it made a difference to the ones I did; and knowing I’m not the only one with this mindset, so many starfish are being saved. I tried this once with Portuguese-man-of-war. That wasn’t quite as successful, actually, getting stung on my arms and legs was the deciding factor in only attempting that once. Sorry Portuguese-man-of-war you are on your own!
On Roatan there are many children who need assistance in all aspects of their lives. Can I make a difference for them all? Heck no! I toured one of the local schools with the idea to help one child by sponsoring her tuition, uniform, school supplies, and transportation to and from school. As it turned out she wasn’t able to attend classes at Luisa Trundle School, Coxen Hole. But while I was being shown around, an idea that I would have never thought of prior to the tour came to mind.
A very high percentage of the kids don’t have breakfast before they arrive for classes; the resources are limited in their homes, to the point that if they do have breakfast it may be their ONLY meal of the day. Could I ensure the children who attend Luisa Trundle School start their lessons with a healthy meal in their tummies—an essential tool for learning?
YES!!! The Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program launched July 9th 2011 (in Honduras, the school term is February – November) with the assistance of Val -Familias Saludables and the school administration and staff. At first the children were hesitant to take what was offered—they had never encountered breakfast waiting for them when they arrived at school before. Oh but they got the hang of it pretty quick!
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Musings from a Breakfast Program
Mathew (age six): “Mom hurry up and get me dressed, I have to go to the Breakfast Program!”
Mathew’s mom: “And school!”
Mathew: “Oh yeah, that too.”
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I had the opportunity to share the ongoing success of the Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program when I attended the Conference on Honduras where I gave a presentation: What did you have for breakfast today? I also posted another story when I visited Roatan the end of February: Two Weeks on Roatan. And as a direct result of that visit I shot and edited (please turn up the volume on your computer… my editing skills are limited) a video showing the children having breakfast!
CastleMuse is proud to sponsor the Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program and while the website is still under construction a banner is displayed linking back to this story.
Thing is though, just as my ability to rescue a significant number of starfish on my own is not possible, neither can I alone ensure the longevity of the breakfast program. I am proud to have got the ball rolling and, to-date, I have been the sole financial contributor. And while I bask in the joy it brings me to see the positive impact it is having on the development of these children—it is time for me to share that sensation—so if you’d like to wade into the Caribbean Sea with me (figuratively not literally) and get involved, here are some examples of how much of a difference your support can make.
• A donation of $10 will cover the cost of 15 dozen eggs (I know! Val’s real good at getting deals.)
• $25 will buy eight large boxes of Raisin Bran; 120 servings of cereal—enough for all the kids for one day (currently 117 children in the program.)
• For $50 a one week supply for all the children (560 servings) of fresh, local fruit (bananas, oranges, watermelon, mangoes) can be purchased.
• $100 could ensure that for two weeks all the kids will have a serving of fresh milk.
If you are able to contribute monthly:
• $10 a month equals TWO kids having a complete breakfast every school day of the month.
• $20 a month will feed FOUR kids each and every week for the month
• $30 a month can ensure SIX children each month are starting their day right!
The Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program is now affiliated with the The Dawn Land Foundation a not-for-profit org registered with the Canadian Government. Please remember even $5 can make a huge difference… REALLY!!!
If donations exceed covering the cost of the Breakfast Program, a mid-morning snack will be introduced and we can be ready for next year as well. Together we can make a difference!
Donate HERE: The Dawn Land Foundation Be sure to specify that your donation is for the Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program. Tax receipts will be issued upon request.
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Musings from a Breakfast Program
One of our grade six students, one of those bright boys always in trouble, has become the programs best friend. He is there every morning early to put out the table or help pour milk; he eats his whole day’s calories at breakfast. He has gone from being quite aggressive to hugging me (Val) and telling me he loves me. Hmm, I guess it’s true—the way to a boy’s heart is through his stomach.
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Spread the word… please!
The more people who hear about the Roatan Vortex Breakfast Program the better. Please share far and wide!
