Dear Friends,
Across the world, the poor have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 94,500 Hondurans have tested positive for the disease. In the last month, Olancho became the region with the fastest growing rate of cases and tragically, the fatality rate in the state is over 12%. Access to care is limited, even more so for those who live in outlying communities. The needs of the community continue to grow and evolve.
Olancho Aid has been able to help fund the response to the virus because of people like you. The late Padre Donahue often reminded us that God always hears the cry of the poor. When he began building schools in Olancho, Padre had little more than a belief that others would be inspired by his mission if they could just walk with him and with the people he was serving. He was right. Since our first school was established in 1996, an international network of human connection has developed. In the last few months, it has become evident that these relationships are not between supporters and beneficiaries, but an extended family that transcends borders and time. It is because of these connections that the Olancho Aid Foundation is still in operation and able to carry on his mission.
As the pandemic and the resulting lockdown has continued, donations to Coronavirus Relief Fund and the Father Richard Donahue Legacy Fund allowed us to fulfill our ongoing educational mission, and to provide service to water projects while expanding services to provide food and medical support to families. Most recently, we have also been able to help fund a triage center that will serve more than 600 patients in Juticalpa over the next month.
We would like to acknowledge extraordinary support for coronavirus relief and the legacy fund provided by the following individuals and entities:
Catholic Church of St James the Younger (Conway, SC)
Jane and Donald Dufault
Andrea and Gary Ferry
First Parish Church (Duxbury, MA)
Adrienne and Steve Hayes
Holy Family Church (Rockland, MA)
Holy Family Mission Team (Rockland, MA)
Honduras Mission New Hampshire (Nashua, NH)
John and Susan Dewan Foundation (Chicago, IL)
Lisa and Willie LeBouef
Susan Nedza, MD and Oswaldo Lastres, MD
Kristi and Rob Privette, DVM
Ruckstuhl Foundation (Baton Rouge, LA)
Saint John the Baptist Mission Team (Westport, MA)
Saint Michael Church Mission Team (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Saint Philip Catholic Church (Franklin, TN)
St. John the Evangelist Mission Team (Prairieville, LA)
St. Raphael Parish (Medford, MA)
Ville Platte Christian Mission (Washington, LA)
Mark Wessel
Anonymous (4)
Because of you, we have been able to respond to the cries of the poor these past few months. Over the next few months our focus will be on supporting ongoing services at Nazareth, Instituto Oscar Cardenal Rodriguez, and the water projects, as the Diocese of Juticalpa assumed management and financial responsibility for the Santa Clara bilingual elementary and high schools this past August. As we enter the next phase in the history of Olancho Aid Foundation, we are grateful for friends like you who will accompany us on the journey as we reaffirm our commitment to the vision bequeathed to us by Padre Donahue.
In Gratitude,
The Olancho Aid Foundation Board of Directors
Susan Nedza, MD, President Michael Freesmeier Jackie Lass Lisa LeBouef
Kerry Lindstrom Meagan Tenety Rob Privette, DVM