Esperanza-Hope for the Children, Inc. was first introduced to Noel in November 2005. His mom brought him to us and explained her four year old was in need of life saving open heart surgery. Through the generosity of the Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation, we brought Noel to Boston and they have been funding his cardiac care at Tufts Medical Center.

The following year, Esperanza brought two year old Astrid to Springfield, MA where she received multiple operations on her tethered spinal cord and cavus foot at Shriner’s Hospital for Children and Baystate Medical Center. Both of the children lived in our home while receiving care, and then began spending Christmas and summer vacations with us. They are both truly a special part of our family.

Noel and Astrid both have sponsors through Esperanza, who afforded them the opportunity to attend a private bilingual school from kindergarten through sixth grade. Following their seven years at Marantha Adventist Bilingual School in Comayagua, Honduras they took different paths. Noel went on to attend Instituto Tecnologica Automotriz de Comayagua to learn auto mechanics. Astrid left for the United States where she attended middle school and high school.

This year Noel decided to further his education and enrolled in seventh grade. He is now a father of a beautiful 15 month old daughter and knew completing additional years would offer greater job opportunities. Astrid will be attending Clark University in Worcester, MA where she will be majoring in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Astrid has been invited into Clark’s Honors Experience and has received multiple academic scholarships.

Noel and Astrid were asked to develop a program to teach English at Centro Basico Augusto C. Coello, one of the public schools in the village of Flores. This summer they have enjoyed (and been challenged) by eager and active students wanting to learn English. It has been rewarding for us to see these mature adults (19 and 22 years old) use their bilingual skills to help students in their own community. We couldn’t be more proud of both of them!