Wednesday, January 20, 1999
'Need you to help' in Honduras
Priest on a mission for money, volunteers
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DELHI TOWNSHIP — The Rev. Emil Cook has seen “near-miracles” happen inside concrete-block dormitories in steamy Honduras.
“By helping one person, you help 15 people,” said that country's Roman Catholic director of Franciscan Schools and Orphanages for about 30 years.
Speaking Tuesday at the College of Mount St. Joseph, he said his group will erect three buildings as a result of the hurricane.
While Honduras still suffers from Hurricane Mitch's destructive path, the young people at Father Cook's complex are improving their lives through education.
“The hurricane was the worst thing to happen in Honduras ever,” said Father Cook, who has led Mission Honduras in Olancho province for about 30 years. “It destroyed 75 bridges and the road system. Today, 20,000 to 30,000 people are still in shelters.”
But Father Cook said all is not bleak. His mission was not heavily damaged, and its young people were not injured.
The mission houses about 100 girls — soon to be 150 — and more than 80 boys. The mission, which operates high schools and grade schools, also has a home for abandoned mothers.
“They have the option of going to high school or trade school,” he said of the children. “Education is the key. We don't want people to leave the country after they are educated. We want the talent to stay there.”
Mission Honduras was covered by 2-3 feet of sand and debris, he said, but slowly its volunteers and staff members are cleaning the compound.
Greater Cincinnati has responded to Honduras' trouble by donating $30,000 to non-profit Shoulder to Shoulder Inc. In addition, Chiquita Brands International Inc. pledged $20,000 to the group for medical work in Honduras, where Chiquita lost most of its banana crop.
“It is going to be a difficult time for Honduras,” Father Cook said. “Most of the crops were destroyed and 45,000 head of cattle killed. Banana workers will be out of jobs. In the second-poorest country in the hemisphere, most people don't know what insurance is, and those who do have it were not covered for floods.”
Fortunately, 450 Americans came to Mission Honduras last year to work as volunteers.
“We need not only money, we need you to help,” he said. “What happens inside you is a near-miracle. The experience changes you. We've had people come back five times.
“We have challenges. It's more than just coming down there and putting up a house or digging a ditch. You meet the kids and laugh. You pray. Visitors realize that this is crazy. They come back better people. You realize that the U.S. is not the real world.”
John Trokan, chairman of the college's religious studies department, said Father Cook's visit is a response to study trips to Honduras made by Mount St. Joseph student groups. He said the school wants to help any way it can.
“Go to Disney World and you'll be happy for a week,” Father Cook told a small group of staff and students. “See us and you'll be happy for life.”
HOW TO HELP
Sponsoring an orphan at Mission Honduras costs about $30 a month, and $10-$15 for other students. To learn more, contact the College of Mount St. Joseph's Department of Religious Studies at 244-4200.
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