Hats for Honduras

Henry in West Palm Beach

by Scott Schumacher

Welcome to Hats for Honduras, a small fundraising project for me, Scott Schumacher.

When I lived at the Loaves andFishes Catholic Worker Community in Duluth, Minnesota, I helped to assist a man from Honduras named Henry. Henry was involved in a near fatal car accident, required numerous surgeries, numerous doctor visits, had to learn to walk again, etc. On top of this, when he came to live at Loaves and Fishes, he knew almost NO English. We housed him, took him to his doctor appointments, found an English as a second language program for him, fed him, and befriended him. For me especially, my Spanish language skills grew 20-fold. Henry became a wonderful friend, and a part of our “family” in our community.

Through interacting with Henry on a daily basis, many of us were deeply changed as we began to understand firsthand, the obstacles and difficulties that immigrants face almost daily in the United States.  But, we found so many more similarities than differences when we became friends.  His struggles also became our struggles.  However, most of all, there was a lot of joy and happiness shared as we ate meals together, took bicycle rides along Lake Superior, and shared our stories together.

My partner escorted Henry on a greyhound bus all the way from Duluth, MN to West Palm Beach, FL in March of 2009 – to assist him in reuniting with his sister, then getting him on a flight back home.

One of our friends, Kristina, had knitted a hat for him that winter, which he cherished, and carried with him everywhere. We have a photo of Henry wearing Kristina’s hat in Florida, complete with palm trees in the background. We miss him terribly.

In the spirit of friendship, Henry has invited us to visit him in his home community near Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and his mother and friends have room to host us whenever we choose.

This is where the idea comes in. I will be creating hand-made hats as a fundraiser to raise money to visit Henry in Honduras someday. I’d love to also bring lots of yarn and looms to Henry’s village, and perhaps donate alot the extra money to his continuing medical bills and to his family.

Many challenges have come into play however, that have forced the project to change somewhat. What started out as a joint effort of four people, has reduced to just one (me). Also, my partner and I are no longer connected in any way to the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker and have moved out of the house we were living in, due to a lot of unresolved interpersonal conflicts. (It was time for us to move on, and we did..)

I guess with a little strife comes opportunity, perhaps. With the turmoil happening in Honduras surrounding the peoples’ wishes for more input into their constitution, if I receive more than my goal, I’d love to donate extra money to an organization which supports the cause of the People of Honduras – not simply a ruling class or militarily forced regime.

For all who donate, I will be sending you “hats for honduras” – handmade hats, in the spirit of friendship for Henry, and to find ways to connect across borders, since Henry inspired us – and me so much!

I hope to raise at least $2500 to cover my travel and expenses for a week or more in Honduras – visiting Henry, his family, and also getting to know the people of this country.  For everyone who donates $20, they will receive a handmade hat as my thanks. 

I thank you from the bottom of our heart for your support!

Scott Schumacher