About Us
Who We Are
Osman Hope is an ecumenical Christian-based organization that serves children through partnerships with churches, local governments, private agencies, and individuals. Designed to help economically disadvantaged children throughout Honduras and Central America, our shelters are currently located in San Pedro Sula and Santa Cruz de Yojoa, Cortes, Honduras.
Current Goals of Osman Hope
- To fill our in San Pedro Sula and Santa Cruz de Yojoa to a capacity of 75 children.
- To prepare a third Osman Hope shelter for daily occupancy.
- To begin a scholarship program so the children can continue their education past the 6th grade.
- To maintain and expand collaborations with other non-profits, churches, agencies, families and governmental agencies in the interest of serving the children of Honduras.
The Story of Osman Hope
In March of 2000, a group of volunteers from the United States began taking homebuilding trips with Habitat for Humanity International to Honduras. During their initial trips, this group had the opportunity to meet a young man named Osman. Then 14 years old, to help support his family Osman lived alone far from his home in an unsanitary room, worked long hours selling beans and rice, and no longer attended school. Upon discovering that Osman's experience was not unique, Osman Hope was founded to offer opportunities to Honduran children who find themselves in situations like Osman's.
Osman's story accurately represents what life can be like for a young person in a developing, or third world country. Honduras faces many challenges, especially considering that 4.7 million of 7 million total inhabitants live in poverty, and that almost half of the population survives on less than $1 US daily. Social problems facing children include drug, alcohol, and glue addiction, forced child labor, prostitution, and trafficking for sexual exploitation and labor. Children's rights organizations and the Honduran government have estimated that 20,000 children live in the streets daily.
Like Osman, it is not uncommon for children to leave school and begin work at a young age to help support their families. Child labor laws exist but are loosely enforced, and most children who work do so to support their families in the agriculture, commerce, or maquiladora sectors. Compulsory education ends at the age of 13, and a 2004 survey showed that the women and men average only 5.6 years and 5.3 years of formal education, respectively.
These realities are why Osman Hope exists. Once sponsored, a child will be welcome to attend one of our shelters during the week where they will receive care such as healthy meals, hygiene, rest, recreation, tutoring, and spiritual education respectful to their culture. Still run by a volunteer administration, Osman Hope now employs 9 persons in two shelters and has maintained lasting collaborations with individuals, non-profit agencies, families, churches, and government entities in the United States and Honduras.
Data Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Honduras Country Report on Human Rights Practices released 2005.
