Leading by Example: An El Hogar Graduate

October 10, 2025

Brenda is studying social work at the public university, with just one year standing between her and graduating with her degree; she will be the first in her family to do so.  Brenda carries herself with grace. She is quiet, kind and deeply responsible. Since graduating from El Hogar in 2021, she has never lost her sense of belonging here. For her, it was more than a school.  It was her home, her second family, and a place that continues to shape who she is becoming.

Brenda (left) when she was in 6th grade at El Hogar.

Brenda and her sisters share a deep bond. They are loyal to each other, solid in their support, and rarely find themselves in conflict. Each has her own circle of friends and interests, but they carry the assurance that they can always count on one another. The two older sisters have long looked out for the youngest, stepping in with guidance or protection when needed.  They are not demonstrative with their affection. Instead, it shows up in small, unique gestures that express to each other how much they are loved. When Brenda was on the cusp of graduating from El Hogar, Claudia, the Program Director in Honduras, informed her and her two sisters that they had found their youngest sister. Brenda knew of their youngest sister but had never met her.  She was living in another residential centre almost two hours away.  Perhaps short in physical distance but separated in ways that were harder to measure.  Claudia and the social worker were able to petition for her to come to El Hogar and Brenda was thrilled that all four of them were together for the first time.

Brenda (second from left) united with her three sisters at Yamileth’s graduation.

During her time at El Hogar, Brenda was a natural leader.  One of her favourite experiences was working alongside the counselors to organize celebrations for special days like Mother’s Day and birthdays.  She loved learning how to create decorations and today she is often the one in her group of friends who takes charge of decorating for their gatherings, bringing the same joy and creativity she once shared at El Hogar.

Brenda has always been interested in psychology, but when she was accepted into the social work program at university, she hesitated.  It wasn’t what she imagined for herself, but as she advanced and began taking more specialized courses, she realized how meaningful the profession could be.  Along the way, she sought guidance from El Hogar’s own social worker and has drawn on her own personal experiences.  Brenda’s empathy feels both natural and shaped by her years at El Hogar. It is what fuels her desire to walk alongside vulnerable populations and offer support where it is most needed.

Brenda working with children in a rural school during her social service at university.

When Brenda was studying electricity at El Hogar, she knew it wasn’t what she wanted to pursue.  The technical skills didn’t come naturally to her, and she found the course content difficult, but she pushed through.  The knowledge and skills have been practical in her own life, allowing her to handle small repairs in her house without having to hire anyone.  For her, her electricity skills are a reminder that everything she learned at El Hogar has value, even the parts she chose not to pursue as a career

Brenda (right) testing her work in the electricity workshop when she was in 12th grade at El Hogar.

Brenda is proud of being part of El Hogar. She often comes back to visit, even beyond the chance to see her sisters. For her, it is a place that shaped her life and one she continues to carry with her. She comes for dental appointments, she has met with the director when one of her sisters needed support, and she continues to be present in ways both small and steady. She has even introduced her peers from university to El Hogar, opening the door for them to see the community that raised her. She hopes to bring classmates and colleagues to take part in projects here as a way of sharing both her roots and her commitment to service.

Brenda presenting the outcomes of a community project during her social service at university.

Brenda carries a thoughtful perspective on her time at El Hogar.  She is honest in saying that it could not provide everything.  There were gaps, things that she wished she had learned or experienced to prepare more fully for life beyond its safe walls.  Now, she feels a responsibility and desire to help fill those gaps for her sisters. She is deeply grateful for the support she received here and sees El Hogar as a beacon of hope, a place that allows so many Honduran children to dream of futures they would not otherwise imagine.

Looking ahead, Brenda speaks with confidence and determination. She knows she will be a professional. She plans to work with organizations that serve vulnerable people, and one day she dreams of creating her own. For now, she is focused on finishing her degree, but her vision is bigger than herself. She is committed to achieving her dreams and, in doing so, becoming a steady example for her sisters, a light that will continue to guide them forward.

Brenda (right) doing a community project during her social service at university.