New Hope Family Helps Bring Clean Water to City in Honduras
A New Hope family is helping transform lives more than 2,000 miles away, in Central America.
Lisa Fernelius and her daughters first visited Yoro, Honduras with Cornerstone Church in Crystal. That one visit changed their lives.
“I fell in love with people and community there,” said Lisa. “That’s what started us on this journey of going to Honduras.”
Each trip to Yoro meant helping the impoverished community through funds of selling t-shirts.
“With the earnings of just the t-shirts we were able to put in electricity and plumbing into the school. We were able to provide school supplies and uniforms for the kids,” explained Lisa.
Last November, two hurricanes devastated Central America. It destroyed sewage and sanitation systems. Families and children had to rely on polluted rivers for water. Many faced water-related illnesses and diseases.
“None of us would even think twice about, probably even stepping in it, nonetheless drinking it,” Lisa said.
Hurricane aftermath in Yoro, Hondurus (Courtesy: Lisa Fernelius).
An urgent matter called for an urgent need. Local residents in the northwest metro raised funds to deliver 200 water filters. The funds came from the selling of t-shirts you can find on the People Not For Sale website.
Lisa said each filter cost $35 and if taken care correctly, it can last a family up to 10 years.
Presentation on how to use water filter in Hondurus (Courtesy: Lisa Fernelius).
The Fernelius family plans to return to Honduras in June in hopes of delivering at least 400 water filters.
16-year-old Grace Fernelius said the journey transformed her own life.
“Just how grateful they were for clean water, it’s crazy how we take it for granted,” said Grace. “I was was here to help them and they were really the ones helping me in the end.”
