Dear Friends,
At the Daycare Christmas party a few days ago, Alejandra stood in front of a room full of children, teachers, parents and even Santa Claus. Her posture was straight and she waited ‘till all were quiet. Her voice was full of emotion. She spoke without notes as she thanked each teacher, Linda, Bill and myself, handing each one of us a card she had made. None knew of this nor had directed her to make this offer of appreciation from the children. At this moment as we heard the little ones clap their hands after she handed out each card we knew we all had made a huge difference in these children’s lives.
Today I want to thank those who without this fundraising newsletter have already contributed to the Roatan Daycare Center. I also want to urge those who are able to donate to do so. These are children who would otherwise “fall through the cracks.” They have become the stars of their class when they go on to public school!
Our children are the future of the island and these early years mean everything. For Honduran children of parents in need, your help is a gift for their whole lives.
We operate under the corporate umbrella of Island Friends Roatan Inc. (Non-profit EIN #20-8533416)
For a quick and easy way to donate, click below:
Donate Now to Roatan Daycare Center via Island Friends.
For a tax deductable donation by Check: Make payable to Island Friends Roatan Inc.
Please send to Judith Allred; 7110 Poniente Lane, San Antonio, TX, 78209.
Please visit our Websites:
Roatan Daycare Center
Island Friends Roatan
Roatan Daycare on Facebook
Warmest Regards, Mari, Chanel, Paola, Romelia, Lourdes, Sophia , Oneal
Judith Allred – Director
Linda Hin – Associate Director
Bertha Montoya and Russ Summerell – Accountants
Bennett is a five year old boy living in Canada. He asked to have his friends coming to his birthday party to bring him presents that children in an Honduran Daycare Center would like. His mother had shown him photos of these young kids on their website, www.roatan-daycare.com. His excitement and happiness from doing this has inspired the Center to pass this spirit on. These children at the Roatan Daycare Center who come from parents in need will now give as they have been given. Volunteers will make wooden cars, the daycare kids will paint them and sell them instead of keeping them, to help pay for their non-profit home-away-from-home. They’ll be a “Made-on-Roatan” gift for visiting parents and grandparents to take home to their little ones. The daycare children will learn that they too can be ‘givers.’ 
If you were to visit the Roatan Daycare Center I think you would be amazed. You would see the arts and craft manipulative work displayed on the walls, the daily lessons in such a variety of subjects including English, and the ease of the little ones to reach for a book to “read.” The behavior changes from “street” attitudes to cooperation, team work and love of learning are evident.
Some time ago at a chance meeting I was introduced to a saintly (I now believe) couple who have a company that sells Daycare furnishings. Lo and behold, they also donate. So the Roatan Daycare Center has been the receiver of a container of their things…a gift of huge proportion and one that will always be remembered and appreciated. 
Our small center building in Coxen Hole, Roatan has been improved about as much as it could be but our furniture has been make-shift, some deteriorating or broken. Because of the company, 
Imagine the joy of the staff who work every day with these new items. It is like Christmas to them and the children too. How can a contributor like this be thanked adequately…they can’t. It has to be a case of that good that they do coming back to them in different ways, and if what is said is correct, it will come back tenfold.
We also were given enough chairs to be able to donate them to others beside the Daycare. Already, some items have been given to PIER, the educational project, and are already in use to their delight. We are so fortunate and celebrate the human kindness that is apparent in Mr. Lee Siegel and his wife, who are our heroes for doing this for us. I would wish that all those who are working to educate young ones would have the same kind of chance luck that will be of help for those children in their care.
Until just a few years ago, Daycare services that contributed to the growth and development of young bodies and minds didn’t exist on Roatan. Parents had to forgo employment opportunities, or in many cases, take their kids to work with them, or even delegate care of very young children to only slightly older siblings. Sometimes a family member or neighbour would help out, but, through no fault of their own—rarely could offer educational, personal hygiene, and nutritional meal elements.
With great pleasure I now get to witness children of Roatan creating masterpieces with: art paper, every colour of the rainbow pencils & paints—and a whole lot of imagination! I’ve watched them listen intently; mesmerized by the story one of their teacher brought to life for them. I’ve seen their eyes shine with great pride when they correctly pronounce a word in their English (as a second language) Class, and during snack time, I am greeted by a row of happy faces, enjoying a fresh, nutritious treat.
