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Honduras United, by Francisco Paz

Two Cities, Same Dream: Scholarship Students in Honduras Come Together

Here in Honduras, the International Samaritan family isn’t limited to a single city. Scholarship students and families in two cities are united by the same dreams, goals, and values, but separated by a four-hour drive through winding mountains and hills. Recently, the students and team in Tegucigalpa welcomed our brothers and sisters from San Pedro Sula.

None of the students who live next to the El Ocotillo dumpsite in San Pedro Sula had ever been to Tegucigalpa, our capital city in Honduras, and for many of them, this was their first time leaving San Pedro Sula.

Meeting other students with such similar stories and dreams was a true celebration of camaraderie. We saw smiles and moments that will be forever etched in the hearts of our scholarship recipients.

A highlight of the trip was a special soccer tournament: the Brotherhood Cup.

soccer teams

Scholarship students and team members from San Pedro Sula (left) and Tegucigalpa (right) face off in the Brotherhood Cup.

The Moment That Defined the Brotherhood Cup

From the first whistle, the effort, teamwork, and enthusiasm of the players filled the field. Although the result on the field favored the home team for both the men’s and women’s games, the entire Team Tegucigalpa—players and staff—made a unanimous, heartfelt decision: to award the first-place trophy to the boys and girls of San Pedro Sula.

As the day drew to a close, the greatest satisfaction wasn’t in who won, but in seeing the bright and genuine smiles of the scholarship recipients from both cities. Seeing young people from Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula sharing a table, laughing, and embracing with true brotherhood reaffirms the essence of what we build day by day.

Beyond the Field: Exploring Tegucigalpa Together

This trip brought unforgettable and well-deserved moments off the field too. We shared a visit to the iconic El Picacho Park, where students enjoyed the cool weather and panoramic views of the city.

Team from San Pedro Sula, Honduras

The group from San Pedro Sula on a walking path at El Picacho Park.

A special rest for the students from San Pedro Sula followed: they stayed at a beautiful hotel in the capital, where they made the most of the pool, the delicious food, and especially the gym.

Team from San Pedro Sula, Honduras

For most of our scholarship students, having access to a gym like the one at the hotel was completely new. Our students made the most of the hotel accommodations.

“The Best Trip of My Life”

The next day, before boarding the bus back to San Pedro Sula, several of the students approached us, their eyes filled with excitement, to tell us what an incredible time they had. With words full of joy and gratitude, Ramiro, one of our scholarship recipients from San Pedro Sula, told me, from the bottom of his heart, that this had been “the best trip of his life” and that he hoped to return soon.

My wish is that our scholarship recipients not only grow academically, but also have more experiences like this.

Thanks to generous donations, sports and arts programs are being started in every community we serve, enriching the lives of our students and their families.

Francisco Paz, Program Coordinator, Honduras

Francisco loves the countryside and caring for animals. Before joining the International Samaritan team in Honduras, he worked in the fields in a small town where he was born and raised. In his hometown, he directed youth groups and soccer teams. Francisco is very dedicated to his work and concerned about the well-being of those who need it most, especially students in the scholarship program.

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