Matthew 5:4-5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

WHO WE ARE

ProNiño USA (or simply ProNiño) is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of street children. Founded in 2000, ProNiño USA has focused its attention on the needs of street children in Northern Honduras. Through our partnership with ProNiño Honduras, ...

PRONIÑO HONDURAS

The charitable organization working to save the street children of Northern Honduras.

... we have been able to establish a three-phase rehabilitation center in El Progreso Honduras. Shunned by society and turned down by traditional orphanages, these children now have somewhere to turn – a place to call home. Together we are providing these children a Better Today and a Brighter Tomorrow. 
   

 
Matthew 5:6-7. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

 

Matthew 5:8-9. Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.   Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 

OUR BEGINNINGS: A History

Heading Home To Honduras 

George and Betty Mealer were heading home to retire – or a least that is what they thought. These two Honduran born, American citizens had spent several years traveling to and from Honduras to building their retirement home and make other preparations. During those times in Honduras they became increasingly aware of the plight of El Progreso’s street children. They were deeply troubled by what they saw – young children living on the streets without love, without food or shelter - without hope. They were also troubled to realize that these children were largely overlooked by society. The vision to do something – to offer help and hope to these children was growing in the hearts of the Mealers. 

Hit by the Hurricaine

October 1998 – the Mealers arrive in Honduras – to “retire”. Five days latter, Hurricaine Mitch struck – killing thousands and leaving many more homeless. The Mealers immediately threw themselves into relief efforts. A group of health professionals and relief workers from Virginia joined forces with the Mealers to bring aid to the victims of Hurricaine Mitch. Our focus was providing medical and humanitarian relief – yet there was a growing awareness of another more insidious crisis – the plight of the street children. Between patients at clinic, or on a trip to deliver food to a village – George and Betty began to share their concern for the street children. Our hearts were opening to the desperate realities of street children. The vision was spreading. 

From Vision to Reality

The Mealers began meeting with community leaders in Honduras – social workers, teachers, juvenile justice authorities, attorneys, social workers, psychologist and other community leaders. They built a consensus for action - something would be done to relieve the suffering of the street children in their own community. ProNiño Honduras was formed in 1999 with the goal of developing a rehabilitation center for the street children of El Progreso, Honduras. 

Meanwhile in the United States … We Could Not Forget the Children

We finished our relief efforts and headed home to the comforts of the United States. Although our short term mission was complete, we knew our work was not done. We had come to know the cast off street children as we fed and cared for them. We heard their stories of neglect, abuse and homelessness. We simply could not forget those children – and we were not the only ones. Patty Covington (George and Betty’s daughter) and her husband Tim were also hearing a call to action. As they heard the stories and saw with their own eyes what the children endure – they knew they could not turn a blind eye. We joined efforts and ProNiño USA was born with the determination to bring the street children a better life today - and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Needless to say, the Mealers “retirement” is on permanent hold and a “short-term” mission trip has turned into a life long commitment. ProNiño USA has partnered with ProNiño Honduras in our mission to help street children. Thanks to the generous contributions from our volunteers and donors, we now have been privileged to offer the street children of Northern Honduras a place to call home. 

Matthew 5:10-11. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake.

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