Honduras 4 OYE - "How do you feel?"

As we piled art, easels, magazines, and ourselves into the NGO pick-up truck we really didn’t know what to expect from the day. Months of planning and groundwork were about to come to a head. Together with Km2 Solutions and Seattle International Foundation we were about to host our first public conference on youth development.

Volunteers from the National Beverage
Co. Collect signatures from guests.

The event, Honduras 4 OYE, served to both celebrate the new alliances OYE has formed with private businesses in San Pedro Sula and promote our philosophy of youth development. The event was born from a conversation between Walter Molinari and Mauricio Vivero during a conference hosted by SIF in Guatemala, forging new relationships with the Honduran business community and some of those businesses most active in youth development.

Left to right; Walter, Yarli, and Mauricio

Walter, a new member of the OYE Board of Directors, has grown close to the organization through his role as Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator for KM2 Solutions, which took the lead in sponsoring the event. 

We arrived at Altia Business Park, where the event would be hosted, with plenty of time to explore the scene and prepare for the event. The event took place in the Music Salon on the second floor of the park’s Recreation Center, Recxen. The building, modern, flashy, and comfortably built, is a breathtaking change of scenery from anything an OYE student is used to. The Rec. Center is an unparalleled candy shop for young-adults, housing video games, pool tables, and even a lounge with complimentary iPads. The words culture shock might be used to describe the first reactions OYE students had upon arrival, but I would suggest another word, perhaps, awe, bliss, or joy. No sooner had the students dropped their boxes of art and magazines than they began posing for pictures.

Having visited the building myself, I half expected the excitement of the OYE students and allocated 2 hours of preparation time to ensure that everything went smoothly.  OYE displayed paintings and magazine issues created by its civic engagement projects and projected a playlist of inspiring OYE videos.  In pairs of two, OYE scholars and staff awaited the guests on the first floor. We welcomed business leaders and representatives from Cargill, Unitec, Dermalaser, Altia, the National Brewing Company, news media, and other NGOs.

Guests included students from Unitec, staff from the NGO PASMO, and
many more.

Yarli Brizuela, a member of OYE’s Radio program, served as the Mistress of Ceremony, inaugurating the event, thanking the guests, and introducing Mauricio Vivero. Mauricio, Seattle International Foundation’s Executive Director, addressed the crowd with kind words for OYE, as well as his perspective on youth development. His inspiring presentation captured the attention of the audience and set the pace for the rest of the event.

Maria de los Angeles Mejia followed Mauricio, highlighting how OYE works to empower youth. She emphasized the unique nature of OYE’s hands-on education in youth leadership and civic engagement, where youth beneficiaries contribute to their own projects and work to engage and empower other local youth. As she concluded her presentation she introduced a product of OYE youth development programs, Sandra Fiallos.

Sandra shares her story.

Sandra stole the show. She shared her personal story and testimony as an OYE scholarship student. Those present experienced a range of emotions as she remembered the powerful changes OYE has caused in her life. Describing the shy, timid, frustrated girl who arrived to OYE, it was hard to recognize the capable and eloquent young lady standing before us. Sandra’s five years of formation in OYE have produced a strong leader and an engaging individual, whose honest account of OYE and her personal growth left the audience speechless.

Luckily, Walter Molinari, KM2’s Coordinator of Corporate Social Responsibility, was ready to pick-up where Sandra left off.  He emphasized the importance of engaging and empowering youth, explained the unique nature of the Honduras4OYE event, and presented the dynamic relationship formed between KM2, OYE, and Seattle International Foundation. He followed the emotional account by Sandra with examples of concrete actions that can be initiated to unite the for-profit sector with the non-profit to build a stronger society. 

Mauricio, Walter, guests from OCAD, and Representative
 from Cargill.

After the representatives from the four sponsoring businesses spoke, everyone retired to the terrace for refreshments and a chance to socialize. OYE Radio students animated the reception and recorded brief interviews with the guests. Representatives from the businesses had to chance to mingle with OYE students and see for themselves the potential of the youth their donation will empower. 

At the end of a long but enjoyable day we packed everything back into the pickup and headed for home, a much trickier proposal than most can imagine. First we dealt with inclement weather and then unloading at the OYE office. Once all was safely stored in the office, we faced the striking reality that sets the lives of the OYE scholars apart from those fortunate enough to live and work in San Pedro.

The journey back to the houses of scholarship students was precarious to say the least. El Progreso is a small town with a population of nearly 300,000. Population growth vastly outstrips the expansion of infrastructure not to mention security. A general rule states that the more isolated a neighborhood from the center, the more dangerous that neighborhood will generally be. The neighborhoods of most OYE scholars are very isolated.  By 8 pm, taxis stop running to a significant number of the neighborhoods, especially those on the margin of the town. This creates obvious problems for students studying in University or working in other cities. Students need to arrive before the last taxi or bus leaves, and the danger does not end there. Upon arrival to their community students continue running the risk of assault or robbery.

Neris, an OYE student of nearly 5 years, is a special case. She lives in former banana plantation territory, well outsider the geographic area that composes El Progreso. Arriving to her house by car is an hour-long affair down isolated dirt roads, over thin bridges, and through mud. By bus, you can double the travel time because there are no formal stops. Any passenger can signal for the bus driver to pullover and drop them off stretching a lengthy trip into an excruciatingly long trip. Neris has made that journey twice a day every Saturday to participate in OYE. She leaves two hours before she needs to arrive in the morning and is always prompt to return home on time.

Neris posing with Mauricio

This year, Neris enters University and assumes greater responsibility at OYE. She must now travel to El Progreso nearly everyday to coordinate the Radio Project, and when she has classes in San Pedro she will have to add another two hours of round-trip travel to her routine. It takes grit and dedication for someone like Neris to stay in school and stay involved.

Neris did not believe that she would be able to attend the event Honduras 4 OYE due to her rigid travel schedule; the last bus leaves Progreso at 6 pm. I insisted she attend offering to play chauffer and drop her off at her house afterwards.  After all, the event was to celebrate youth empowerment and the opportunities we are generating for deserving youth like Neris. She acquiesced, attended the event, and had the great time that she deserved.

The trip to Neris’ house was much more than I anticipated. Gerald Velasquez, Yarli Yanez, and Alex Clark-Youngblood joined me on my quest to drop Neris off. As we bounced along the dirt roads further and further into the countryside, we each slowly came down from the high of the event. Passing countless crops and villages of farmers we began talking not of the ping-pong tables and video games at Altia but of Cantarito, the country’s version of Hide and Go Seek. Yarli, who lived in the country till she was 8, and Neris talked about the early bedtimes and4 am wake-up calls. We were entering a different world.

I pulled into the small but well kept yard of Neris’ family. It was defined by a short but well made wooden fence, I imagine more for aesthetics than to keep anything in or out. Unlike the city and its margins, Neris and Yarli emphasized the tranquility and peace of country living. Neris invited us to join her for dinner. We ate beans, tortillas, cream, eggs, and hot dogs - the staples of many Honduran diets. The experience was pleasant but in a very surreal way. The food was good and we chatted along, but Gerald had asked me something while we washed our hands before dinner that I couldn’t shake from my head. 

“How do you feel being here after Altia?,” Gerald had asked.  I understood that he packed a lot of meaning into that question. He, too, comes from a small village, possibly even more remote than the one we were in, and the tone of his question was cutting. But, what a great question!

How did I feel, how do I feel now, what was I doing in either of those places? I didn’t and still don’t

know how to answer the question that Gerald asked me because it cuts to the core of development. Last Friday, I saw two different cultures separated by a vast development gap. There is no question that structural inequality has a strong presence in Honduran society, or rather is responsible for a rift between distinct elements of Honduran society. The Honduran state is rife with weak institutions and fails to guarantee the rights of its citizens.

Nearly 50% of Honduras’ population lives in rural areas with inadequate infrastructure condemning the population to violent patterns of migration or likely cycles of poverty.  Over 60% of Honduras’ rural population lives in poverty (IDB). Rural youth are trapped between migration to the dangerous marginal communities surrounding urban centers or a structurally limited education that produces unskilled agricultural workers (campesinos).  Only 13.4% of Honduran youth between the ages of 20 and 21 years had completed high school in 2009 compared with 42% of urban youth within the same age group. Nobody is boasting that 42% of 20 to 21 year olds graduating from high school is a great achievement, but when compared to the rural option it looks pretty good.

So, how did I feel traveling from the modern palace of Honduras’ advanced communications to the rural home of an OYE scholarship student? Well, quite frankly I felt humbled. I continue to feel that way knowing that each one of the students that steps through the doors of OYE is an incredibly determined powerful person who has decided to dedicate their time with the determination to change their life and the lives of their family, friends, and community. They understand the barriers that exist and by being in school or by not having children, they know that they are an exception to the norm and are taking the first steps needed to institute that change.

Gerald said to me, “To us, this is normal, but how do you feel.”

For me it was an extreme juxtaposition and one I’ll never forget, but, at the same time, it is an inequality I will never accept.

Look Where He is Today - Amer Perez

Amer Perez is a disarming young man. I first met hi in 2009, when I first volunteered at OYE. He was charming, curious, and perhaps a bit shy, but a natural leader. Among other OYE scholars, Amer was looked up to. He had an attitude that embodied cool, but in his case his cool was a rare breed. He was aloof or better than others, he was inquisitive and inclusive.

When I first met Amer, he caught my attention for two reasons. First and foremost he came over and introduced himself and inquired as to who and how I was, and secondly he did it in English. Mind you, at the time his English wasn't perfect. He stood out, and not just for his caring nature but for his passion. Amer has probably been studying English for less time than I have been learning Spanish, something that I consider a bit of a hobby as well as a passion. However, in comparison to me Amer is an English speaking prodigy.

Many Honduran students, including various OYE scholars, study English in high school and often it is a requirement. However, very few students truly achieve a conversational level. Amer on the other hand took advantage of the added financial assistance of an OYE beca to attend, not only public high school, but also participate in private English classes.

Last year Amer's family came across health issues and hard financial times. Confronted by depleting economic resources Amer was forced to make a tough choice. After graduating high school he sought a job to support his family when his mother underwent surgery and recovery. Equipped with the experiences and training gained through OYE and his language skills, Amer found a job in the extremely tough job market of Honduras. He started his career as a clerk at a local hotel that valued him for his demonstrated responsibility and ability to speak English. Nearly a year later Amer is still a valued member of the staff at Casa Blanca Hotel in El Progreso.

I run into Amer often and enjoy catching up with him. In him I see a natural leader, a success story that is still being written. It is hard working with youth, and it is even harder working with at-risk families. We want OYE to be the perfect solution to tough socio-economic situations, but if the fix were so easy there wouldn't be a problem. Talking to Amer, someone two years ago I was sure would have continued directly on to college, is a reminder that development is not a linear process. Luckily in the case of Amer, its always a pleasant reminder.

Amer is the first to point out what OYE gave him-direction. He states that OYE has helped and continues to help him organize his life. Did Amer take a mean stroke of bad luck that prevented him from continuing his studies at the University level? Yes. Is this an ideal situation? No. But in the scheme of things Amer is a success story. After finding a job at Hotel Casa Blanca Amer didn't rest. He wasn't complacent. Amer set goals and continued working hard. He took advantage of his position to polish his language skills and today he has found employment at KM2 Solutions, an OYE supporter and bilingual contact center.

http://km2solutions.wordpress.com/2013/06/06/ex-oye-student-finds-job-at-km2-solutions/

Follow the link above to view KM2's blog by Walter Molinari

Its a New Year! Entrega de Becas Welcomes 70 OYE Scholars to 2013

2013 OYE Scholars

I still don’t know how we pulled it all together! A day before the Entrega de Becas, our yearly welcome ceremony for OYE scholars, we were still trading stories about vacation and dusting off the keyboards. Due to unforeseen events we pushed the ceremony forward one day and it was one us before we realized!

Marisol and Dunia Supervising the decorations

Up went the decorations. Gerald, our art program coordinator, doubled as party decorador. He and his students dressed our upstairs conference hall in green and white streamers, they glued together paper globes of matching colors, and hand crafted OYE’s first ever portable display screen for our brand new projector.

We scrambled about the office and about town Friday the 11 putting the finishing touches on the ceremony. We hauled 100 plastic chairs across town and printed out the certificates. In the last 30 minutes we tested the microphones and changed from our sweat soaked tshirts into new, stylish, green OYE Maya logo tshirts that unified the staff anda ll 2013 scholarship students.

Guests of Honor

Doors opened at 1 pm and the familias of scholarship students poured in. They paused briefly in the reception to be bchecked out and for the new OYE student to receive a their their bright green shirt. As everyone filed up stairs moms, dads, brothers, and sisters filled in the back rows and a chatty sea of green flooded the front rows. The number of OYE scholars and familias grew and grew! OYE is never as fun as when its full of students and familias.

At 2 pm the ceremony began, with the opening words of Director Marisol and Vice President of the Board Eduardo Umanzor. Tragically, I took over the reception and waited for ther last few stragglers to wander in while Marisol and Eduardo eloquently pumped up the crowd with OYE’s mission and vision:

Eduardo Umanzor, Mrisol Fuentes, and Dunia Perdomo - From left to right

Mission

OYE’s mission as a community-based, youth-led organization is to develop the leadership and capacity of at-risk Honduran youth who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and might otherwise be drawn to the path of crime, violence, drugs, and/or gang involvement. OYE’s integrated development approach combines formal education, youth capacity building, and community engagement to inspire and equip young people with the awareness and skills they need to take control of their lives. OYE’s model of sustainable, long-term development focuses its efforts on the empowerment of socially conscious youth who will emerge as leaders and agents of positive change in Honduran society.

Vision

OYE envisions a society where all young people, regardless of race, gender, religion, class, sexual orientation, or abilities, are given the opportunity to exercise their leadership potential. Once they are educated and trained as leaders, OYE youth realize the positive impact that young people can have on their communities. In such a society, young people have a powerful voice and know how to effectively use it to create change in their lives and communities.

Fabiola Oro and Oriel Diaz

By the time I made it up we had arrived to the heart of the program. Oriel diaz and Fabiola Oro were revisiting the 2012 year in photos. They shed light on each of OYE’s youth led projects by presenting photos of individuals and groups from Art la Calle, Jovenes Revista, OYE Ritmo (Radio), Copa OYE (Sports), and our capacity building classes. The presentation always gets me, and many others, a little nostalgic for the good times we have shared together. Many family members get excited as they see what their son or daughter will be involved in.  The MCs of the event, Yarli Yanez and Gerald Velasquez, prepared a short presentation explaining the details and goals for OYE’s art, magazine, and radio project in 2013.

MCs Yarli Yanez and Gerald Velasquez

The MCs transitioned from history and facts about OYE to the presentation of OYE’s 2013 scholars. As their names were called each new or old scholar made his or her way to the ceremonial table to receive a certficate presented by a member of the “table of honor.” Presenting the certificates were Director Marisol Fuentes, Program Coordinator Dunia Perdomo, guest of honor Walter Molinari, and Vice-President of the Board of Directors Eduardo Umanzor. From my prospective, it was during this traditionally tedious affair that OYE really identified itself.

When I attend such ceremonies I fear the momento that we indivudally call each beneficiary  to come to the front of the room, shake a hand, receive a diploma, and take a picture-it takes forever! However, this time is was different. That is to say, it was fun! As names were called people cheered and teased and teased back. There bows and cat calls, there were hugs and chuckles, and it was the best awards ceremony I have had the pleasure of participating in. My only issue was that it was far too short – if only we had to budget to support 100 scholars and not just 70! QUE LASTIMA!

A huge thank you goes out to all of you who reached out and donated to OYE over the Holiday Season. The donations at the end of one year are very strong indicators and set the pace for the next. Your support is what allows us to introduce new at-risk youth into the OYE family and make a positive impact in El Progreso, Honduras. Now if you didn’t donate remember its never to late!

Learn about Donating

$50 is a University Scholarship

$30 is a High School Scholarship

$25 Sponsors a capacity building class of Sexual Education

$1 Because no amount is too small

$0 is too small! You can do better than that!

Special Thanks to KM2

 To a Great Future with KM2 Solutions!

Walter Molinari hands OYE director Marisol Fuentes a
donation of 26,977.60 Lempira, on behalf of KM2 Solutions

OYE is proud to announce the growth of a strong relationship with KM2 Solutions. Beyond the monetary support, OYE is looking forward to building a great relationship and a great future with KM2 Solutions.

KM2 has demonstrated a real desire to contribute to OYE’s philosophy of integrated development and make a difference in its community. This means they are giving more than money. Walter, KM2’s public relations manager, has taken the initiative to reach out to OYE in dynamic ways. We look forward to innovative collaborations with KM2 staff and facilities to bring our capacity building classes to a new level. Ideas for future alliances include incorporating Ted-talks into our capacity building program to touch on pertinent themes and stir a dialogue that will be moderated by professionals form the offices of KM2.

Although KM2 is a multinational organization its staff is principally composed of native Hondurans that have expressed an interest in giving back to their communities.  Although we cannot thank KM2 enough for the financial donation of $27,000 Lempiras, the real story here is the excitement about this vast expansion of OYE’s family here in Honduras.

To the individuals that compose the work force of KM2, we want to give each of you our most sincere gratitude.  Perhaps independently your donation seemed like a small sum or a small sacrifice but together your donations are converted into the hope, self-esteem, and future of at-risk Honduran youth. Your donations will be directly invested into OYE’s programs ensuring that our 50 scholarship students will continue receiving an integrated education that encourages and empowers them to become the voices and leaders of their communities.

Check out KM2 Solutions on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KM2SolutionsHonduras

Thanks!

OYE - ¡VIVE SALUDABLE!

El pasado sábado 7 de Julio, 2012, se llevó a cabo en OYE, un seminario acerca de la nutrición y el ejercicio, para fomentar buenos hábitos en cada uno de los becados, asegurando así la alimentación y la actividad física ideal para una vida sana y larga.

Se comenzó el seminario con una dinámica explicando el peligro que conlleva el hábito de tomar bebidas gaseosas y jugos artificiales. Cuando se les explicó que cada botella de Coca Cola contiene más de 11 cucharaditas de azúcar, los muchachos se sorprendieron.

La sorpresa fue aún más grande cuando se les explicó que el jugo “natural” del Valle que toman normalmente para cuidar su salud, contiene aún más azúcar que la Coca-Cola, y que las bebidas energéticas que suelen tomar para levantar ánimos, en realidad son muy dañinas para la salud.

La mezcla de ingredientes que contienen las bebidas energéticas es muy peligrosa, ya que las cantidades de azúcar, cafeína, ginseng, guarana y demás químicos, suben la presión por 15 minutos, haciéndoles pensar que tienen más energía. Pero el sentimiento solamente dura por unos 15 minutos. Luego las personas se sienten más cansadas, con hambre, y con muchas ganas de beberse otra para volver a sentir energías. Estas bebidas se han comprobado que causan enfermedades del corazón, diabetes, y hasta infartos. Deben alejarse de estas.

Si realmente necesitan energías, opten por una taza de café negro con un poco de canela en polvo. Sabe muy rico y es muy saludable. Si necesitan endulzar su café, no usen cremora. Solamente agreguen media cucharadita de miel de abeja o el endulzante bajo en calorías llamado “Stevia”. No utilicen marcas como Splenda, Sweet ‘n’ Lo, Equal, etc. ya que estas están ligadas con ciertos cánceres.

Otra manera aún más saludable para darle al cuerpo y mente energía durante el día es comiendo una manzana. Está científicamente comprobado que una manzana da más energías que el café, ya que contiene una buena mezcla de fructosa (azúcar natural de la fruta), fibra y vitaminas que le dan al cuerpo lo necesario para empezar el día con mucho ánimo.

Otra de las cosas que se mencionaron es que el desayuno es el alimento más importante del día ya que es el responsable de darle al cuerpo la energía apropiada para comenzar el día. El desayuno debe consistir de un balance de proteínas, carbohidratos complejos y grasas saludables.

Un ejemplo de un buen desayuno completo puede ser:

• Una taza de avena hervida con agua. Agregar frutas y canela.
• 2 claras de huevo con vegetales, como espinaca, brócoli, cebolla, ajo, apio, etc.

Otro de los tips claves que se mencionaron es el de siempre leer los ingredientes de cada producto antes de ingerir. Si hay ingredientes que no se pueden ni mencionar, mejor no ingerirlo. También, si uno de los primeros 3-4 ingredientes es azúcar, es mejor no tomarlo/comerlo. Otro de los ingredientes que se deben de evitar es el llamado “high fructose corn syrup”. Si leen esto en algún producto, se aconseja que se vuelva a poner en su lugar.

La forma correcta de vivir una vida saludable es alimentarse bien, NO dejar de comer.

A continuación, se les comparte una lista de comidas ideales para SNACKS o MERIENDAS:

• Una manzana en pedacitos con ½ taza de cuajada, le agrega 1 cucharada de canela en polvo. Luego se pone en el microondas por 30 segundos. Y voila! Tienes la perfecta merienda para después del ejercicio, o cuando tengas ganas de algo dulce, pero saludable a la vez. No me crees que es deliciosa? Te reto a probarla! J
• Almendras enteras, sin sal. Una porción serían 16-20 almendras.
• Apio con crema de almendras.
• Apio con Hummus.
• Ensalada de frutas.

Quiéres hacer un Hummus más saludable?

• Intenta usar crema de almendras en lugar de la crema de ajonjolí al prepararlo.

Te encanta comer sándwiches con crema de maní y jalea?

•  Intenta utilizar crema de almendras y prepara tu propia jalea! Puedes licuar fresas, moras, frambuesas, o la fruta que quieras, agregarle ½ cucharada de jugo de limón, y un paquete de Stevia para endulzar. Luego ponerlo en el pan 100% integral junto con la crema de almendras.
• La crema de almendras no contiene ningún otro ingrediente más que la almendra. La crema de maní contiene aceites, sodio, y azúcar agregada. Con esta información, ahora pueden escoger la mejor opción! J

Sabes que la actividad física es clave para vivir una vida saludable?  Ha sido comprobado que 30 minutos al día ayudan a evitar enfermedades cardíacas.

NO tienes que ir al gimnasio para ejercitarte. Puedes salir a correr, jugar deportes, subir gradas, bailar, jugar, hacer sentadillas, etc.

La clave es moverte. Cuando movemos nuestros cuerpos, se evitan los problemas de circulación, cardíacos, enfermedades como la diabetes, ciertos cánceres, obesidad, etc.

Y la última clave SUPER IMPORTANTE es:

TOMA AGUA! Nuestros cuerpos están constituidos de 80% agua. Esto significa que debemos suplirlo con la cantidad de agua necesaria para el correcto funcionamiento de todos nuestros órganos vitales. El mejor consejo es evitar tomar gaseosas, jugos y tés artificiales y tomar SOLAMENTE agua.

Sabías que…

El 90% de los dolores de cabeza son a causa de deshidratación del cuerpo? La próxima vez que tengas un dolor de cabeza, te sugiero tomarte un vaso grande de agua y esperar 20 minutos antes de tomarte una pastilla. Recuerda, la pastilla solo esconde los síntomas. El agua puede ayudar a tratarlo y mejorarlo.

Compra tabletas de VITAMINA C Y VITAMINA B12. Estas vitaminas a veces no se ingieren suficiente en nuestros alimentos. Por eso, es sugerido tomarlas aparte, para darle sustento al cuerpo.

• La Vitamina C es muy necesaria ya que ayuda a fortalecer el sistema inmunológico, apoya la oxigenación de la sangre, acelera el metabolismo y la movilización de grasas en el cuerpo, apoya la reparación de los músculos en personas que hacen mucho ejercicio, etc.
• La Vitamina B12 es muy importante y en especial para las personas que no comen mucha carne roja. Esta vitamina ayuda a mantener el cerebro sano. A veces los dolores de cabeza son causados por falta de vitamina B12 en el cuerpo.

Así que a tomar Vitamina C y B12 se ha dicho! J

Toma mucha agua, aliméntate correctamente y haz ejercicio y verás que te irás sintiendo mucho mejor día a día. Tu ánimo y autoestima estarán muy altos y te sentirás y verás espectacular.

Cualquier pregunta que tengas, no dudes en escribirme a: vanefaraj@gmail.com

Vanessa Faraj, Ejecutiva de Reclutamiento y Mercadeo de KM2 Solutions, es Licenciada en Mercadotecnia y tiene certificación en nutrición y entrenamiento personal. Algunos de sus pasatiempos son ir al gimnasio, jugar futbol/volleyball/tennis/basketball, cocinar, leer, ver películas, aprender algo nuevo cada día, ayudar a los demás, entrenar a sus amistades en el gimnasio, y mucho más!

From “Comida Chatarra” to “Comida Sana”: A Health and Fitness Talk at OYE

What drink would you choose?

Last Saturday, OYE scholars delved into a topic that often goes unspoken: health and fitness. Guest speakers Vanessa Faraj, from KM2 Solutions, and Jose Ochoa Pagoaga, former president of the local municipal gym in El Progreso, challenged OYE scholars to recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

The seminar began with Vanessa (above) giving a general overview of what healthy eating entails: consuming fruits regularly, avoiding sugar drinks, etc. To engage the students, Vanessa asked two scholars to choose their favorite snack, and then talked about which one is the healthier choice.

OYE kids share what they eat for breakfast.

Complementing Vanessa’s focus on healthy eating, Jose encouraged OYE scholars to be as active as possible, and noted the importance of regular exercise. Likewise, he talked about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle at a young age. Jose, who has lost 70 pounds in one year, is a true example of what leading a healthy lifestyle can do.

While many people may think that Coke gives more energy than water, and that an oatmeal cookie is much healthier than a chocolate one, our OYE scholars have now dispelled those myths. Muchas gracias a Vanessa and Jose for their time and knowledge on this topic; they’ve led our OYE scholars another step closer to developing themselves as an entire (and healthy) person! 

Jose Ochoa offers health advice.

Other useful health tips:

• Baleadas...a staple Honduran food...are 60% fat! Definitely not a healthy choice.
• Opt for grilled chicken rather than fried chicken to get a healthy protein.
• Avoid buying packaged cereals for breakfasts. Instead, so with a healthier, sugar-free option like oatmeal. Prepare with water instead of milk and add fruits (bananas, berries) and nuts.
• Don't believe packages when they say "All Natural" or "Sugar Free"...they might still be unhealthy.
• Look at the ingredients before buying. If you can't pronounce one of the ingredients of a certain food...that means you are eating chemicals. Don't eat it!
• Eating breakfast in the morning is proven to be important. Don't skip! Instead of fasting, eat healthy.
• Eat more fibers for healthy carbs and to promote digestion (celery, apples, spinach, cabbage, etc.)
• White meats (chicken and fish) are much better for the body than red meats
• Avoid packaged foods, sodas, and juice soft drinks...they are full of sugar.
• If one of the first three ingredients of a product is sugar...AVOID IT!

Many thanks to Jose and Vanessa for their time and knowledge!

KM2 Solutions Donates 3 New Computers to OYE!

Vanessa Faraj, James Moran, Walter Molinari, Marisol Fuentes and Michael Solis

Many thanks to KM2 Solutions and LUFERGO for donating 3 brand new computers to OYE. The computers now form part of OYE's Salón Creativo, or Creative Room, where youth can use them for a study space, homework, writing, or their projects in art, radio, journalism, and sports at OYE.

Special thanks go to James Moran, Walter Molinari, and Vanessa Faraj from KM2 Solutions for their tireless efforts in supporting OYE. Over 70 people from KM2's staff have already decided to donate a small portion of their monthly salary to OYE, which will benefit OYE's scholarship program. And now KM2 is thinking about how their employees can provide emotional support to OYE, aiding us with capacity building on the ground and with specialized training sessions for youth in San Pedro Sula.

Mil gracias a todos de KM2 Solutions. Your efforts are producing truly positive change at OYE, and we are forever grateful.