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DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

Total Population: 5,997,327 (July 1999 est.)
Urban Population: 42.9%
Rural Population: 57.1% (1994 est.)

3 Largest Cities (1995):

Teguciagalpa 813,900
San Pedro Sula 383,900
La Ceiba 89,200

0-14 years: 41%
(male, 1,262,190; female 1,217,752)

15-64 years: 55%
(male 1,643,550; female 1,665,666)

65 years and over: 4%
(male 98,715; female 109,454) (1999 est.)

source:http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbpyr.html

CASE STUDY

Country: Honduras

Program: Orphanage Emmanuel

Location: Guaimaca, Honduras

Sponsorship Program:
 

Emmanuel is run by David and Lydia who serve as mother and father for the children, spiritual leaders, clinic staff, field hands, construction workers, instructors, and administrators. 10 local Honduras assist them and also they recruit outside volunteers.

The cost to support each child is a monthly donation of $35. The money goes to the cost of the operation of the orphanage. However, the child being sponsored gets 10% of the monthly support and this 10% goes into a special account for that child. This is done so that when the child turns 18 years old, he or she may have a small savings account to start his or her adult life. An additional $10 a month is required in order to sponsor the child's education too.

The orphanage is not is dept and all administrative costs and work is provided by the congregation of the home church called New Life Christian Center in Lompoc, California. All donations go strictly to the orphanage and these donations are tax-deductible.

History of the program:
 

A married couple who were raised in Oxnard, CA went on a vacation to Honduras in May of 1987. The husband, David Martinez pursued a career in business. In the mid 80's, both he and his wife, Lydia Martinez decided to dedicate their lives to the Lord. In Honduras, they witnessed the homeless children who lived on the streets, begged, and stole. They decided that they would help because they saw this as a calling from God. They made a lot of sacrifices to make this program. When they returned to California, they sold their home, their automobiles, and other valuable possessions to raise funds for their project. While at home, David was given ordination as a Minister by Amor Cristiano International, and Lydia was ordained as a Missionary. The two left for Honduras in August of 1987 to begin the program.

The making of Orphanage Emmanuel took 2 years. With the funds they were able to raise themselves and with outside donations, the two missionaries were able to purchase a property satisfied the requirements of the Honduras government. Orphanage Emmanuel opened on December 22, 1989. Initially, there was no running water, no electricity, and only three buildings, one of which was a roof held by pillars. Today, the mission has electricity and a well, providing them with clean water. The buildings include dormitories for the children, including a new home for the boys, a church, a wash house, a clinic, a library, two kitchens, two dinning rooms, and two guest houses for visiting missionaries. Emmanuel applied and received a non profit charter under the new name of World Baptist Mission, Inc.

Approximate # of children served: 

Today, 225 children ages 6 to 17 are served by Orphanage Emmanuel.

Characteristics of the children served: 

The children served usually come from dysfunctional, impoverished families who neglect, abuse both physically and mentally, and abandon them. They are usually wards of the state. Emmanuel provides these children with a permanent home, food, clothing, and shelter. The children are not placed for adoption because the program believes that these children can benefit more if they live among the Christian love and care that they Missionaries provide.

How children are recruited: 

Children are placed with the Mission by the Honduran government since the children are wards of the state.

Program Services: 

The children are raised to live a life of Christianity. Every child receives a spiritual education, a formal education, and training in one of the following trades: sewing, cooking, baking, construction, welding, or mechanics. The child is taught to believe that they are special in God's eyes. Thus, one can conclude that the Mission helps raise the child's self-esteem after being born into a family who neglected them and mistreated them--something that many of the children underwent. Emmanuel also provides a warm place in which to grow up in, away from the dangers of the streets.

Financial basis of program: 

The program is run by donations made mainly by congregations and individuals in the United States, Denmark, and England. Even though the Honduran Government approves of the program, the state does not fund it. The Mission's home congregation is the New Life Christian Center in Lompoc, California and its congregation under the leadership of Pastor Doug Conley take care of the program's administrative expenses in order for the donations to be used solely for the children and the expansion of Orphanage Emmanuel.

Philosophy or approach: 

Orphanage Emmanuel is highly religiously oriented. The Mission strives to educate the children so that they can make a difference in their own country when they grow older. One of its main goals is to have each child leave the orphanage ready to lead productive and successful life. They want to prepare the children both academically and spiritually. They feel that religion and faith are highly important aspects of a person's life so they make a big effort to teach this to their children, so that they can become good Christians and raise Christian families of their own. Every morning at 6am. all the children and staff gather in front of the church and sing songs, pray, and get ready for their day. Their welcoming sign reads as follows: When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. Psalm 27:10.

Special features: 

Volunteers get up at 4 am to prepare breakfast for the children. The morning worship is at 6 and after breakfast the children go to school.

The Mission raises cattle, sheep, chickens, as well as beans and corn. However, since they have few volunteers, the Mission cannot become self-sufficient--but this is another future goal of the program.

During sleeping hours, bandits often raid the orphanage's food supplies, livestock, and the personal belongings of the children.