From Sorrow to Happiness: The Children's Home in Honduras

How would you feel about these pictures if you were not told about their true stories?

You probably think that these girls are attending some sort of school camp, having fun and enjoying each other’s company and the teachers’. You may admire their big eyes and big smiles.

But if you learned about what these girls have gone through before coming to this Children’s Home, you would treasure all the seemingly mundane things in these pictures… Like the fact that they can now dress in uniforms to go to school. And that they have a bed to sleep on and do not need to worry about their next meal. Perhaps, you may even want to visit them now, to hold their hands and give them a hug. You will also appreciate how their home parents care for them so unconditionally.

Their happiness is the result of a lot of love and sacrifices. I hope that you can have a chance to go to Honduras to visit and talk to them one day.

 

¿Cómo te harían sentir estas fotos si nadie te contara las historias verdaderas detrás de ellas?

 Tal vez piensas que estas jóvenes están participando en un campamento escolar, divirtiéndose y disfrutando de la compañía de sus compañeras y maestras.  Tal vez admiras sus ojos grandes y sus bellas sonrisas.

 Pero, ¿qué tal si supieras lo que estas jóvenes han tenido que sufrir antes de llegar a este Hogar?  Apreciarías todas las cosas aparentemente ordinarias en estas fotos…Como el hecho que pueden vestirse en uniformes para ir a la escuela.  Y que tienen una cama en donde dormir y que no tienen que preocuparse por su próxima comida. Tal vez hasta querrás visitarlas ahora, para tomar sus manos y darles un abrazo.  Apreciarías cómo los papás de este Hogar las cuidan y las quieren incondicionalmente. 

Su felicidad es el resultado de mucho amor y muchos sacrificios.  Espero que un día tengas la oportunidad de ir a Honduras a visitarlas y hablar con ellas.

 

若不告訴你這輯照片的背景故事,你會怎樣的感覺?

或許你會以為,這群活潑美麗的孩子,參加學校夏日營,一起活動,一起玩攤位遊戲,一起上課,一起做作業,與師長關係良好……你會歡喜她們的大眼睛和燦爛的笑容。

然而若你知道她們每個進入兒童之家前的遭遇,看她們以前的照片,你會更珍貴她們可以穿上校服,打扮整齊上學去;你或會想多送幾個毛公仔放在她們的床上,甚至上前拉她們的手、親她們的面。你也會敬佩「爸爸」和「媽媽」對他們的愛顧及陪伴。

幸福不是必然,希望你有機會去中美洲洪都拉斯,探望信望愛兒童之家,親自與她們說話。

 

Words & Photos: Violin Chan
English Translation: Joe Lee
Spanish Translation: Katy Lee Law

Ready for school!

Ready for school!

The 'papa' of the children's home leading a big group game.

The 'papa' of the children's home leading a big group game.

The girl on the right loves making funny faces.

The girl on the right loves making funny faces.

Colourful culture and colourful people.

Colourful culture and colourful people.

The 'mama' of the children's home.

The 'mama' of the children's home.

Each girl has a nice comfy bed and a personalized wall space.

Each girl has a nice comfy bed and a personalized wall space.

Rushing to finish homework at the end of a long holiday.

Rushing to finish homework at the end of a long holiday.

She's happy to be in the Children's Home!

She's happy to be in the Children's Home!

They want you to go visit them one day!

They want you to go visit them one day!