On the edge of the third world, beyond the white beaches, resorts and restaurants on the Bay Islands, many need help. Meet a couple that dedicated many years to creating confidence by clothing the young and forgotten!
The sun shines on blue buildings under large trees at Diamond Rock School on a Saturday in early February. The school, some minutes drive east of the village of Oak Ridge is packed with expectant children, waiting for what is to come. A car gets unloaded with items that are going to create confidence among the students. Four tables are stacked with backpacks and shoes and surrounded by around 100 children and quite a few mothers and siblings. “Clothing God’s Children”, an organization created by Silvio and Zelia Castillo, and based in Porter, Texas, has shipped the items down from the United States. For 17 years, the couple has been traveling in Central and South America, bringing confidence to people who need it by providing them with new clothes. Silvio tells us that God placed a burning desire in his heart in 2008 on a trip to Guatemala with his daughter. The organization solely depends on donations.
One by one the children sit down and Silvio and Zelia fit them with footwear. John and Tracy Pilacelli are facilitating the organization’s visit to Roatan, and besides transporting them, they give support on-site. John is handing out backpacks on request, with motifs from the video game Minecraft and Marvel, along with a lollipop from his big arsenal. The principal, Bertha Andino organizes the children and ensures everyone gets included.
It is expected that 130 children will show up at the school start this year, which facilitates students from first to ninth grade. It covers the communities of Diamond Rock and Camp Bay.
-They feel forgotten, and we aim to identify such places to help restore their sense of worth., says Zelia.
John follows up:
-There is a lot of charitable attention given to the west side of the island, but almost no one comes to the rural east. This is because it is less accessible here
The island’s eastern side is the least developed, but it is gradually changing as investors build housing, attracting expats.
The day before, the couple handed out 60 pairs of shoes to the church Iglesia Evangelical Restaurando Familias in Colonia Brass Hill.
A couple of hours later, proud children left the area with their new gear and raised confidence!
Do you want to help, or do you want to know more about their operations?
Here is a reel from the handout:
The article is edited by: Lauran Timlin