Ana

One of the many stories yet to come from my trip to Honduras is about Ana. This story sits close to my heart.

Ana is a quiet, smart, beautiful young lady. She has been at the Hogar for about a year. Her story is one that brought tears to my eyes when I heard it, and they rise again each time I share her amazing words.

Ana was abandoned by her parents near the El Salvador border more than 3 years ago. Her five older brothers and sisters (some half brothers and sisters) went to live with their grandparents. When I asked her why she didn't stay there she said "they treated me badly, they were mean to me... so I left". Ana lived on the streets until the government found her and placed her in an orphanage in Tegucigalpa, Honduras (the capital). She lived there for two years before she ended up at the Hogar.

I asked her if she liked the Hogar and how long she planned to stay? She told me (through Sarah who was interpreting) that she was happy and she wanted to stay until she was 26. I asked her what she wanted to then? She told us that she wanted to move to Miami, FL and go to college to be a social worker. When she is done with college she wants to go to Africa and help people less fortunate than her. :) This moment was one that I will never forget. It was at this point in the trip that I was able to put words to the emotions and thoughts that had been running wild all week.

Life is all about perspective.

We see things through our priviliged American eyes. Ana sees life through her Honduran eyes. Neither is wrong, they are just different. To us, Ana is a girl who needs help, someone we would say has nothing. But in her eyes she has plenty, so much that she wants to give to those that have less than her.

After we had shared bits and pieces of our lives with each other, I asked Sarah to see if she wanted me to be her "Madrina"? (Madrina means Godmother.) She told Sarah "I do not want a "Madrina", I want a Mother." I have never felt the love of a Mother, so when I write to her (meaning me, Miss Beeman) I will write to my Mama. I had tears in my eyes.

I know from here on Ana will be a special person in my life, I hope that I can provide her with the love and support that she so earnestly wants.

~Miss Beeman~