Recently, Gina Reuter from the Tiffin Rotary Club traveled to San Pedro Sula, Honduras on a seven day international mission trip. Gina was part of a team of 11 Rotarians from the Tiffin, Bryan, Swanton, Bellevue and Elyria Sunrise Rotary Clubs who traveled to San Pedro Sula to make a difference in the lives of girls in a local orphanage. Gina shares her experience in these words:
“After the initial shock of being immersed in the city with the highest per capita murder rate in the world wore off, and getting used to seeing the heavily armed guards everywhere, it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life.
We spent the week at La Casa de la Nina, a girls’ orphanage in the city. They called it an “orphanage”, but it was more of a home for girls whose parents had either abandoned them or were otherwise unable to care for them.
During our stay we made building repairs, painted, and did lots (and lots!) of clean-up work at the facility. In addition, we were able to provide each of the 14 girls with new shoes, new school uniforms and undergarments, and replenished the pantry with basic food staples. We were also able to provide them with three new computers. I think the best part though, was the interaction we were able to have with these girls throughout the week. They wanted to help us with every task and soaked up every bit of our attention. In a short time we accomplished so much, and formed a bond with them that I know none of us will ever forget. Leaving them was an emotional time for all of us.”
The trip also provided Gina, a member of the Tiffin Rotary Club since 2012, an opportunity to see how Rotarians are viewed in other parts of the world.
“The Rotarians in San Pedro Sula provided a wonderful example to me of what it means to be a Rotarian. It began immediately at the airport where nearly a dozen Rotarians were on hand to greet us and welcome us to their city. It wasn’t long before I realized what a special group this was. For the entire week they spent their personal time and resources to transport us wherever we needed to go, and made sure we were safe at all times. They invited us into their homes and treated us to great food and fellowship. No matter what we needed, that need was met with a true sense of generosity.
It also became obvious that they were highly respected members of the community, and that being a Rotarian was considered to be a great honor. They put their words into actions and I could tell they were really making a difference in their community. Getting to know them made me proud to be a Rotarian.”
A trip like this, although only seven days long, can impact a lifetime.
“It truly was an amazing experience and I learned that even though our lives here are so different, they are still the same in so many ways. We’re all human, you know? We laugh at the same things and cry about the same things, in any language. I hope to be able to look at life from another perspective from now on, with a sense of simplicity and gratitude. I encourage any Rotarian who has a similar opportunity to take it – you won’t be sorry!”
Thank you, Gina, for sharing your story. To learn more about International Service in District 6600, contact Jeremy Watson.