In order to break the cycle of poverty, we are committed to meeting every need of the child. By doing so, we ensure that the child can experience a complete transformation.
WE FOCUS ON FIVE AREAS...
Educational
The expectation for education in Honduras is extremely low.
Most of the adults in this community have not even acheived a sixth
grade education. The lack of training and skills makes it very difficult
for them to even dream of a life away from the dump. At AFE, we provide
education for all ages. In the mornings, we have school for kids
ranging from newborns through High School. We also provide
education for adults in the afternoons. In addition, we also
work to find scholarships for our graduates who desire to pursue
further education in college.
Click Here for more information on helping us provide college scholarships.
spiritual
The church where Pastor Arturo serves has been, and continues to be, a great source of support of AFE. The church was officially founded in 2006 in a community called Linda Miller and is just a few kilometers away from AFE. Many of the teachers at AFE have come from this community. Each week, AFE pays for a bus to assist in transportation for our students and their families. It is always a blessing to see these two communities come together as one in worship. In addition, many families are involved in small-groups throughout the week. The staff at AFE also provides Monday morning devotions and Bible classes throughout the year as a part of it's curriculum.
physical
When we read the Gospel, we see that Jesus was very interested in
meeting people's physical needs. In fact, meeting these needs, often times
preceded his teaching and preaching. We desire those in this
community to think beyond the garbage dump and to
consider their future. However, the reality is that the future does not
matter if we cannot survive today. For that reason, we are committed to
their physical needs. At AFE, each student received breakfast and lunch.
Throughout the year, we provide provisions for our families as well. We also
help with clothing and shoes. In addition, we have a clinic on our campus
to meet the medical needs of the community.
Click Here for more information about the Clinic.
emotional
To say these children come to us with emotional baggage would
be an understatement. Most of us cannot even imagine the kind of things
they must deal with on a daily basis. Their families are a mess. Their
communities are threatened by gangs. They live from day to day
thanking God for every breath he blesses them with. Many have to
shoulder a great deal of responsibility. Understanding these needs
are very important for the overall health of the child. We are
constantly looking for signs that might indicate issues ranging from abuse,
both physical and emotional, to depression. AFE provides an environment
of love and acceptance so that these children can find security in their unsecure world.
family
One of the greatest challenges facing AFE’s students is not the garbage
dump, but the families into which they were born. When the parents
or guardians catch AFE’s vision, the student is almost guaranteed success.
But when they do not, the children fight to forge a river against
a raging current. For many of our students, AFE is the only positive voice
in their life pushing them to continue forward in their studies. For this
reason, we do our very best to include the parents in the process and also
bless them along the way. Many AFE parents attend school in the afternoons.
Others volunteer in the kitchen and help serve lunch to our students.
Most receive health care from AFE’s clinic. Whatever their involvement,
AFE’s families know that AFE is a place where they can find community.
In addition, AFE has committed to building homes for our students and their
families. Through this process, our families receive a dignified house that provides
them the peace of mind in knowing that they have a place to call home.