With Karen and George working together, Bless the Children Honduras began by shipping 40 ft. sea containers of medical equipment and supplies, shoes, clothing and other needful material aid to the hospital in El Progreso, Honduras.  George flew back and forth to Honduras on military air hops overseeing the distribution of the aid.

After thirty years in the United States and after much planning, George and Betty Mealer left Richmond in October, 1998 to start their retirement in Honduras.  Within three days of their return to Honduras, Hurricane Mitch struck the country, killing hundreds and leaving countless others homeless.  A boat Bless the Children shipped to Honduras for George to teach poor children to fish had its maiden voyage as a rescue vehicle in the muddy rivers running through the streets of El Progreso - over 1000 lives were saved. 

Prior to Hurricane Mitch, Honduras was a very poor country.  In the aftermath the country was devastated.  Homes, bridges, crops, the infrastructure and especially any security for the poor were destroyed. Thus began Bless the Children’s programs on the ground in Honduras to help restore hope to the poor people of El Progreso and communities throughout the north of the country led by George and Betty Mealer.  By means of a strong working team comprised of the Mealers, Karen and countless volunteers in Honduras and the US much has been accomplished to help the poor.

Many humanitarian programs have been established over time including Pro Niño, a center for children abandoned in the streets.  Bless the Children helped the Mealer’s establish Pro Niño through material aid shipments, later with funding and most recently with building a new road at the La Montaña center.

By assisting the poor in health, education, and nutrition and supporting them with shipments of material aid from the USA, over twenty ongoing programs have been established to assist devastated areas throughout the north of Honduras.

Your help is needed to continue this vital work to help communities
uplift themselves from the depths of poverty.