Tomorrow marks 18 years since Suyapa began faithfully serving families living around the Tegucigalpa city dump — a milestone that reflects both her deep faith and unwavering compassion.
If you’ve ever met our kindergarten teacher, Suyapa, you’ve seen the spark in her eyes and the deep love she carries for every child in her care. What you may not know is the powerful story behind that love — a story of loss, resilience, and faith.
Like many families we now serve, Suyapa lived through one of Honduras’s darkest moments: Hurricane Mitch. When the storm stalled over Tegucigalpa in 1998, it unleashed unimaginable destruction. Entire neighborhoods were swept away in the rising floodwaters with little to no warning.
Suyapa, her family, and neighbors had to flee in the middle of the night — with nothing but the clothes they were sleeping in. Their homes, community, and way of life were gone in an instant.
But God wasn’t finished writing her story.
Together, survivors from her neighborhood banded together and eventually helped form a new community: Villa Linda Miller, named after the young missionary, Michael Miller and his family, who followed God’s call to help them rebuild. Today, that neighborhood remains tightly knit — bound together by a shared history of tragedy, survival, and grace.
Not everyone who survived the storm found that same safety. Many displaced families ended up near the city dump — where they built makeshift homes amid the garbage. Parents and children began collecting trash to survive. And over time, generations of children grew up in conditions no child should ever face.
These are the children ROHI now serves. And these are the children Suyapa teaches.
Suyapa could have chosen to move on, to shield herself from the pain. Instead, she opened her heart wider.
Today, she pours that same love and gratitude into every child she teaches. She sees them not just as students — but as her own. She prays over them. She prays with their mothers. She watches for signs of struggle and steps in long before problems grow.
Her classroom is full of color, creativity, and joy. Whether it’s helping the kids make handmade gifts for their parents or sharing a quiet moment of encouragement, Suyapa is always giving.
Her no-nonsense strength, radiant smile, and unwavering compassion have made her a favorite among students, staff, and even ROHI donors who’ve had the privilege of meeting her.
Life has not been easy for Suyapa. She’s faced new heartbreaks and personal trials over the years. But rather than harden her heart, she’s allowed each sorrow to soften her — to better understand the pain of the families she serves.
That’s the kind of love that changes lives. That’s the ROHI story.
Thank you for being part of it.
You Make This Possible
Because of your generosity, Suyapa can continue to reflect the love of God into the lives of vulnerable children. ROHI exists because people like you believe in transformation, healing, and hope.
Thank you for giving. Thank you for believing.
Together, we are rewriting stories — one child, one teacher, one day at a time.