When I first decided to raise my hand to volunteer at the Honduran English Language Teachers Association, I had no idea what amazing times were awaiting me. I write this entry in the first person because I am overflowing with gratitude, first to God for His immense blessing and grace during our 4th international event and for the amazing group of persons I am blessed to be a part of.
Left to right from the screen is our resident chef, Mr. Wilmer, our treasurer Ms. Juana, our president elect Ms, Suzanne, our Knight in Shining Armour, Mr. Juan, our inspiration, Ms. Grazzia, board members; Ms. Sayda, Ms. Carolina & Mr. Juan Jose others were busy prepping the evening.
I believe what unites us is our love for Honduras- a beautiful country that has been ravaged over the years by corruption and a history of violence, yet amidst all the turmoil there is beauty and joy in the hearts and minds of our students who eagerly seek learning that will help them shape the quality of their lives. We the teachers on Team HELTA work to serve them! We work and pray for open doors where people who are untrusting and unwilling turn around and say Yes!
The images you see below are a testament to a faith that can move mountains because we at HELTA live in different cities, have demanding jobs & families in addition to our committments to different social projects – yet by the grace of God and the digital technology at our finger tips we were able to open the doors of Honduras to 45 International presenters from all over Latin America and the Caribbean Basin, in addition to a community of over 475 attendees over two days of intensive ESL workshops and plenaries.
In the photo above we have our international delegates from: L to R on the screen: Nicaragua Tesol, Colombia Tesol, Panama Tesol, Dominican Republic Tesol, Venezuela Tesol, Costa Rica Tesol, Peru TESOL, Bolivia Tesol, El Salvador Tesol (in the back), Grazzia Mendoza our first president,next to her Mexico Tesol, Aham Eduction from the USA in the back, surrounded by members from Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua TESOL, Honduras and Puerto Rico Tesol next to our beloved Karen Vasquez our North Regional Coordinator.
We are very grateful to the US embassy for their unwavering support for a better Honduras by helping us motivate and inspire our teachers with scholarships to attend the event. In the photo below we have the US embassy representative Eric Turner and PAS Carmen Urcuyo and RELO office rep Frances Westbrook and English Language Fellow in El Salvador Kati Casto.
Always supportive, US embassy Cameron Thomas- Shah, invigorating our teachers with the vision of collaboration in the region at our first ever TESOL Academy presenter´s dinner.
Empowering Communities through Collaboration was our theme at the conference and boy oh boy did we see that manifest in the tremendous Logistical support from our Host Centre UNITEC, main campus in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. I say congratulations to Ms. Carolina Euceda, Mr. Juan Jose Reyes and their team of ushers for a marvellously executed conference.
Our presenters were able to share their expertise with eager yearning minds and we hope to see as much enthusisam or even more in our next event in Choluteca 2019.
Puerto Rico, Mexico and Honduras sharing together in the spirit of Empowering Communities through Collaboration.
Our international and local presenters having fun in the sun! 
Where heart and mind meet- Education that transforms formalities into bonds of friendship. Two honorary Helta friends Dr. Pat Dyer and Aham Edu CEO, Knellee Bisram, our Mindfulness expert.
Our wonderful up and coming student teachers Mely Manzanares full of energy to step into transformational education, getting ready for the next generation of HELTA volunteers.
When we teach love, we harvest love in return! Leadership by example from our dear Grazzia Maria Mendoza, always giving, always serving.
Honduras awaits CHOLUTECA 2019 here we come!
Building Better Biliterates with CBC CODEBREAKER! 