Wednesday
February 12, 2003 – Ontonagon Herald - page 5
Our Little Roses Ministries
Frank Podkokomorka does dental examinations at the Our Little Roses Mission in SanPedro Sula, Honduras, on a recent personal work mission in that country.
Contributed by Frank J. Podkomorka
There come times in one's
life when faith must be put ahead of fears and one finds one's self on the
mountaintop. I was personally blessed with just such an experience on a recent
trip to Honduras, in Central America. I was sponsored and supported by the
Episcopal Church of the Ascension of Ontonagon. Being a dental hygienist with
Dr. Robert Johnson's Dental office in Ontonagon for the last 23 years, my
congregation felt that my professionals skills had
much to offer as a part of our outreach mission.
Honduras is the second-most impoverished
nation in the Western Hemisphere, and as such it doesn't require much effort
to witness what is abject poverty of a most heart- wrenching nature; in particular,
poverty's effects on young girls in the saddest of conditions. Until 1988,
there was not a place, except prisons, for girls abandoned or otherwise made
homeless in Honduras. There do exist many facilities
for boys such as orphanages and boys' homes, but not for girls. Diana Frade,
a resident of Miami, saw the deplorable conditions these children were forced
to endure and armed with a spirit-filled vision and much support garnered
from other sources, Ms. Frade established, on land
donated by the government of Honduras, a nondenominational facility for girls.
Over the past 15 years, in the City of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, "Our Little Roses" Ministries and
Home for girls has made a difference in the lives of countless young women
and children.
This vision of "from
streets to universities," is both pioneering and hope inspiring. As Diana
Frade said, "Our Little Roses has done much
to break down barriers of class, poverty, and abuse by educating women to
become social leaders in their own country and thus bring about change for
the future." After spending time in this special place, one would have
to agree. Arriving at Our Little Roses (OLR) I was struck by the contrast
within the fortress-like high walls complete with armed guards at the gates,
to the conditions on the outside. Within OLR, one sees well kept, clean facilities,
similar to what one would find in a college dormitory, but looking over the
walls, one sees the rudest of street conditions and the shanties of the poor.
The OLR complex is composed of two buildings which provide housing for the
girls, as well as classrooms for grades K-8, and other appropriate facilities.
The most notable thing I saw were the happy,
smiling, faces of the approximately 60 girls, ranging in age from 3-20 who
are part of the OLR community: The affection and joy these
girls display to each
other and show to visitors makes one feel more than welcomed into this loving
family.
Being aware of some of
the girls' sad beginnings and witnessing their transformation, not only physically,
but of spirit and hope, one can once again believe in miracles. I was
one of a volunteer group of 18 who spent a week offering OLR our time and
talents to benefit these children. All agreed that this practical witnessing
was a personal joy.
Without exception, I believe
our entire group felt that we received more than we gave. I attribute this
feeling to the success of OLR to nurture, protect, and educate, in a Christian
manner of unconditional love, these innocent and helpless children who, through
no fault of their own, are in need of practical help.
This outpouring of love
and concern from others helps to develop a self confidence which will encourage
the girls to be strong Christian leaders who will impact their future families,
community, and country. Our Little Roses is a successful mission that truly
continues to bloom in the hearts and minds of all who experience it. From
the streets of Honduras to graduating high school and universities...to make
possible many dreams, OLR continues to make a difference.
My
personal mission was to provide dental health care, and also to select one
of the girls for the Church of the Ascension to sponsor. One child's need
stood out. This little girl had been abandoned by her mother and having only
recently been brought to Our Little Roses, was in need of sponsors. It was
this child whom I selected for local sponsor-ship, three-year-old Mauda
Hernandez. She is the youngest Little Rosebud, so cute and the most in need.
Each child needs seven sponsors, at a cost
of $720 per sponsor. For that $5040 per year, a needy girl is fed, clothed,
educated, and counseled into womanhood.
I thank God for this opportunity to serve,
my congregation for their trust and support, and OLR for making possible this
mountaintop view of Christian faith at work.
Three of the Little Roses (left to right) Ingrid, Jensy (who aspires to be a dentist) and their little sister.