Congratulations to Jenifer, Heidi and Larissa for Graduating!

This December, Jenifer Gabriela, Heidi and Larissa graduated from the sixth grade from a private, Christian school in Tegucigalpa. We are so proud of them for overcoming many obstacles to excel in their education. Each girl has grown up in difficult circumstances, so this is quite an accomplishment that we are excited to celebrate. Here's a video of their special day!

Jenifer Gabriela's Story

Yenifer’s mother died of AIDS and her father left her to live with another family. Yenifer did not get along with her stepmother and her father would not help her or take responsibility for her so she lived with her 70-year-old grandmother. This grandmother took care of four other children on about $2 a day. Yenifer was abused by her father and did not get the proper nutrition before coming to the orphanage. The house parents say although she has a hard time focusing, she is a good girl and is always happy at home. She’s had a better relationship with her dad since moving to the orphanage. We are so proud of her graduation!

Heidi's story

Heidi grew up with her mother and grandmother in a city south of Tegucigalpa. When she was six, they moved to another town with her stepfather. He drank a lot and would beat her mom. He rarely provided food for them and one night when he was drunk, he kicked Heidi and her mom out of the house. They went back to live with the grandmother and then found out the stepfather had an accident and was paralyzed. Heidi’s mother was hospitalized shortly thereafter and died of AIDS. Her grandmother could not care for Heidi anymore because she was very old and could not see well so her aunt brought her to Villa Nueva in Tegucigalpa. Her two cousins work as well as her aunt so Heidi was often left by herself in the house. She supposedly has three brothers and sisters but has never met them. She moved into the orphanage a few months after the rest of the children. She is doing well in school and is a hard worker. Congratulations Heidi!

Larissa's story

Larissa was diagnosed with a skin disease called Dermatomyositis when she was two years old. It is an inflammatory disease associated with muscle injuries in erythematous skin (red), giving her skin a purple red color. The cause of the disease is unknown and while it can be stabilized through treatments, it cannot be cured. Larissa’s father abandoned her when she was seven and she lived with her mother and grandmother. The POI Staff wanted her at the orphanage from the beginning but her mother would not allow her to move, though she could not take care of her properly. On June 21, 2010, her mother finally agreed to let her move under the condition that POI help her get a new house. Larissa is very reserved and quiet but is happy at the orphanage. She is currently in remission and is able to walk on her own and play with the other children. She has such a sweet spirit about her, even through her many battles with the disease. We didn't know she how long she could continue fighting it, so this graduation is such a special time in her life. We praise the Lord that Larissa is alive and well and looking forward to starting the 7th grade!