• 13.5% of children have no access to school.
• Only 30% of children who start first grade go past six grades.
• Honduras has the highest rate of adolescent pregnancy in Central America.
• The World Health Organization calculates that education has the highest return on investment in third world countries.
• According to the International Development Association, the World Bank's fund for the poorest, "education is a human right, a powerful driver of development and one of the strongest instruments for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace and stability."
Greg C., Donor and Trip Participant
Walking through El Carrizo, Honduras a few years ago, we noticed a young girl named Genesis playing. As we got closer, we realized her “toys” were bottle caps. She had no toys, no books, and no opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in her family. It was children like Genesis that inspired us to start Sharefish, implement the sponsorship program and build Aprende Conmigo – a local community center, preschool and middle school.
At preschool, Genesis traded bottle caps for puzzles and books that prepared her for elementary school. As she got older, she had access to computers and board games. Unlike most children her age in rural Honduras, Genesis made it through middle school and recently graduated from trade school, prepared to live out her dream - and her family’s dream - of breaking the cycle of poverty.
This story is our mission in action: providing educational opportunities for families that result in meaningful work to improve economic circumstances for current and future generations in rural Honduras.
While we rejoice with Genesis, there’s much more work to be done.
Sharefish’s newly constructed preschool suite has opened! You’ll see wonderful preschool director Lizzy in the center of the first photo.
The new suite was built by Honduran crews with assistance from U.S. groups. It was truly a labor of love. Thanks to all those whose donations made it possible!
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Nelly was one of the first students in Sharefish's scholarship program. Last week Nayeli, now 22, was one of the first participants in Sharefish's inaugural microenterprise training seminar, held in partnership with Bless Back Worldwide.
Nayeli, shown here with Sharefish president Chuck "Pepe" Nichols last week and in the next photo as a young child with Sharefish supporter Mallory Underwood, raises pigs and hopes to open a business selling clothes.
Sharefish continues to educate Nayeli and other former students and their families, because we believe education changes lives and helps to fulfill dreams!
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Earlier this week, we had an amazing evening Sharing Dreams of a brighter future through education for children and families in rural southern Honduras.
Many thanks to special guest Ricardo Venegas, Sharefish's director of Honduras operations; Raleigh Wine Shop for their beautiful space and wines; Rocky Top Catering for serving up delicious food; event planner Lily Rose Events; event sponsor Blue Heel Development; and the many new and old friends who came to learn how they can partner with Sharefish to make dreams come true!
Learn more at sharefish.org.
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Join us on Tuesday, September 10 at The Raleigh Wine Shop for an exceptional evening benefitting Sharefish!
🔘 Enjoy great wines expertly paired with delicious food.
🔘 Learn about the latest developments in Sharefish’s mission to break the cycle of poverty in rural southern Honduras through education.
🔘 Meet Ricardo Venegas, Sharefish’s director of Honduras operations, who will share stories of hope and realized dreams.
🔘 Find more information and purchase your tickets by Wednesday, August 28 at sharefish.org/sharing-dreams.
Details for Sharing Dreams:
➡️ Tuesday, September 10, 6:30 pm
➡️ The Raleigh Wine Shop, 317 S. Bloodworth St., Raleigh
➡️ Tickets: $100 each; be a sponsor for $1,500
Your FULL ticket price will be donated to Sharefish, thanks to our presenting sponsor!
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If you have had the opportunity to meet Lizzy, shown here with some of her young students, either in Honduras or during one of her visits to the U.S., you already know how warm and gracious she is.
Lizzy has been the director of Sharefish’s Aprende Conmigo (Come Learn With Me) since 2012, and has led the preschool program since it opened in 2016. She also teaches in the middle school, which opened in 2020.
Lizzy has wanted to teach and help children since she was a child herself. She is currently furthering her studies at Universidad Pedagógica Nacional Francisco Morazán toward a degree in teaching English.
Lizzy’s dream for Aprende Conmigo is the same as ours: that ALL children in rural El Carrizo can complete their education to have better opportunities for work - to improve their lives and their families’ lives.
Thanks to Lizzy, the other staff members and all those who support Sharefish’s mission, that dream is moving closer to reality!
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Three of the Sharefish team members visiting Honduras last month - Chuck, James and Will - had the opportunity to visit staff member LIzzy's English class at the university and answer students' questions.
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The Sharefish group that just returned from Honduras wrapped up their week in the best way possible: visiting the school where they had installed freshly spiffed-up playground equipment.
Needless to say, everyone had a great time!
Slide to the final picture to see the group at the airport before their journey home. From left: Sharefish president Chuck Nichols, John Baldwin, Will Baldwin, James Clary, Keith Lewis, Dennis Ellis and Bob Kimball.
Find more information about Sharefish and the school sponsorship program at sharefish.org.
First Baptist Church Raleigh
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A Sharefish team of seven has been in Honduras since Tuesday refurbishing and installing playground equipment for the school in Colonia, a community next to El Carrizo, where Sharefish has worked for several years.
The trip has featured lots of rain, encounters with cattle, soccer with local children on a muddy field, a birthday celebration and, as always, much camaraderie and teamwork.
Accompanying Sharefish president Chuck Nichols (aka "Pepe") are John and Will Baldwin, James Clary (the birthday celebrant!), Dennis Ellis, Bob Kimball and Keith Lewis.
Please pray for the team’s continued safety and for smooth travel back to Raleigh.
First Baptist Church Raleigh
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