UMW senior Shin Fujiyama (right), and his sister, Cosmo Fujiyama, a student at William & Mary, address walkathon participants. Fujiyama organized the event to save an orphanage in Honduras. Courtesy of BRIAN STRIDER

More than a dozen members of Students Helping Honduras are continuing their mission in the country.

By NATASHA ALTAMIRANO

Date published: 5/9/2006

Spring semester has ended at the University of Mary Washington, but some students aren't taking a break just yet.

About 15 students flew to El Progresso, Honduras, on Sunday to continue mission work in the poor village of Siete de Abril and at the Copprome orphanage .

The students are members of Students Helping Honduras, a nonprofit organization started by UMW senior Shin Fujiyama.

The group has raised more than $120,000 for Copprome, including about $53,000 from its walkathon last month and a $66,000 grant from Doris Buffett's Sunshine Lady Foundation, said the Rev. Bob Azzarito, campus minister for the Campus Christian Community.

The CCC went on a mission trip to El Progresso in January and has been an active supporter of Students Helping Honduras.

Even though the group has returned to Honduras, fundraising hasn't stopped.

"Money continues to come in for Copprome," Azzarito said. "People who know about the need are continuing to give toward the orphanage."

The money will pay off the orphanage's land debts and fund an expansion project.

Over the next two weeks, Fujiyama and other students will work with children at Copprome and begin planning various projects for which the money was raised, Azzarito said.

The UMW students also will deliver items collected by students at the Gladys H. Oberle School, an alternative school for middle and high school students.

Members of the school's Interact Club, a service group sponsored by the Stafford Rotary Club, bought toiletries and other items to send to Copprome, said Joan McLaughlin, president of Employment Resources Inc., which runs the school.

The Oberle students filled about 70 bags with shampoo, soap, razors, combs and toys, McLaughlin said.

"The students like to help kids who also are in need--it helps them to gain perspective," she said.

The CCC still is collecting furniture, mattresses, clothing and other items to fill a semi-truck-sized container to send to El Progresso, Azzarito said.

The group especially needs desks, chairs and other classroom furniture, he said.

The campus ministry has scheduled another mission trip to El Progresso next January, Azzarito said.

For information, call the CCC at 540/373-9255.

To reach NATASHA ALTAMIRANO:540/368-5036
Email: naltamirano@freelancestar.com

Date published: 5/9/2006