Eduardo Martín Hermana, OYE Volunteer and Donor, Funds COPA OYE!

Eduardo Martín Hermana

OYE would like to extend a special thank you to Eduardo Martín Hermana, a former OYE volunteer from Gijón (Asturias, España) who has made a generous donation to sponsor COPA OYE, OYE's annual soccer and volleyball tournament, for the second straight year.

Eduardo studied physical therapy in the University of Oviedo and used his skills to rehabilitate people in nursing homes, gyms, and at a hair salon. He had an enriching personal experience volunteering in 2007, during which he lived with a Honduran family while he administered therapy to youth in Colón. In 2008 he returned to Honduras, this time to El Progreso, where he collaborated with OYE from July to September. During his time he worked with various NGOs, including OYE, to administer therapy to local youth.

In 2009 Eduardo spent nearly half a year working with OYE, giving capacity-building classes, assisting with student visits, helping organize COPA OYE, and directing for a short period Revista Jóvenes, OYE’s youth magazine.

According to Eduardo, “The experience was very positive, although like all other experiences it had its difficult moments. I was able to learn a lot more about the reality of the country and youth, and I tried to empower them as much as my limits would enable me in hopes of drawing the best from them. They are full of desire, and we have to pledge our commitment to them.”

Recognizing Honduras’s difficult economic situation, Eduardo decided that he wanted to offer what resources he could to support COPA OYE. He wanted to donate the sports program in particular given its spirit and capacity to excite the entire city of El Progreso.

Eduardo would like to thank OYE for its warmth, as well as the friends and families who have supported him during his stays and with the projects that he values at OYE.

OYE Uses Disney Grant to Clean Pelo River

More than 80 OYE scholars from each of OYE's programs (La Calle, Revista Jovenes, OYE el Ritmo, Copa OYE, and Intercambio Cultural), led by youth scholar Fabiola Oro, joined forces on Youth Service Day (April 16, 2011) to clean up El Progreso's act...that is, to have a positive and sustainable impact on the environment. Using funds OYE received from Disney Friends for Change, OYE scholars split up into teams to clean up the heavily polluted Pelo River in El Progreso. They worked all day under El Progreso's blistering sun in neighborhoods such as Palermo, Bendeck, Suyapa, and Penjamo. The municipality donated garbage bags, and OYE scholars filled more than 100 of them with garbage in and along the river.

With the hope that people will stop polluting the river in the future, scholars from OYE's art program, La Calle, created 12 signs, which they carried through local communities and placed along the river. OYE scholars also worked hand in hand with local youth to show them the importance of protecting and preserving the natural beauty of their city and country.

Congratulations to OYE for a job well done. The environmental project will continue into mid-May, when a smaller team of OYE scholars will travel to Cayos Cochinos to perform a beach clean-up and community outreach with an environmental organization run by local youth from the Garifuna community.

OYE's 2011 Spring Potluck

OYE scholars and staff have been on break from school and work thanks to Semana Santa, but OYE has been busier than ever. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to come to OYE's 2011 Spring Potluck in support of OYE's scholars and programs. The event, which took place on April 9th, was a great success, and many of OYE's past volunteers were present to share their OYE stories, as well as supporting professors, donors, marathon runners, members of the Board of Directors, Communications and Volunteer coordinators past and present, and brand new members of the OYE family. The food was delicious and plentiful, and together we were able to raise $1000 for OYE. 

A special thanks to the Ahern family for allowing us to spend the evening in their beautiful home in Washington, D.C. for the events. We look forward to having more events like these throughout the year.

Heads up American University...

We have the best volunteers. Good Luck!

Make sure to send us some pictures.

OYE at Pulhapanzak

In Honor of "National Volunteer Week" we decided to post a video of staff and volunteers exploring Pulhapanzak waterfall on their day off.

This is one of many beautiful Honduran experiences, and we can't wait to share them with you.

OYE's Spring Potluck Invitation

You are cordially invited to…

     

OYE’s Spring Potluck!

    

Date: Saturday April 9, 2011

  

Address: 3128 19th Street NW

Washington D.C,

Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Friends of OYE are raising money for OYE! Bring your favorite dish/dessert, at least one friend, and your OYE pride. All proceeds will support OYE’s Youth scholars and programs

(Minimum suggested donation: $20)