Honduras, Central America
Father
Emil began his work in Honduras in 1970. He was
initially supported solely by members of Trinity
Guadalupe parish in Milwaukee, where he had been
assistant pastor. From this small beginning of
faithful supporters, Mission Honduras has grown to
include supporters all over the world. Many have
served as volunteers in Father Emil’s mission, many
more have responded to his personal plea for
financial support when he has spoken in churches,
homes and meetings.
But what inspired Father Emil to dedicate his life to the poor of Honduras? As you may know, Honduras is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, second only to Haiti. When Fr. Emil first came to Olancho, Honduras in March of 1970, he served as a parish priest for the counties of Gualaco and San Esteban. At the time, and to a great extent even to this day, Olancho was the outback of Honduras. There were no roads. The school in the area only went to the sixth grade. In all of Honduras, ninety percent of the population does not continue beyond the sixth grade. The nearest high school was two days away by horse. Only the rich could afford to attend school. The living conditions in the area were primitive. There was no electricity. There were no phones. There was not even enough food for the people.
Fr. Emil has been serving Christ's poor in Honduras for 37 years by providing a God-centered education to children who have grown up to be family and civic leaders in their communities. Still, there is much more to be done in Honduras and around the world. APUFRAM currently operates in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Liberia. The non-profit organization consists of elementary and high schools, orphanages, boystowns and girlstowns, a trade school, university housing, and a shelter for abandoned mothers and children. APUFRAM has educated thousands of young people who are now helping their communities in various fields such as agriculture, business, engineering, medicine and teaching.
But what inspired Father Emil to dedicate his life to the poor of Honduras? As you may know, Honduras is the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, second only to Haiti. When Fr. Emil first came to Olancho, Honduras in March of 1970, he served as a parish priest for the counties of Gualaco and San Esteban. At the time, and to a great extent even to this day, Olancho was the outback of Honduras. There were no roads. The school in the area only went to the sixth grade. In all of Honduras, ninety percent of the population does not continue beyond the sixth grade. The nearest high school was two days away by horse. Only the rich could afford to attend school. The living conditions in the area were primitive. There was no electricity. There were no phones. There was not even enough food for the people.
Fr. Emil has been serving Christ's poor in Honduras for 37 years by providing a God-centered education to children who have grown up to be family and civic leaders in their communities. Still, there is much more to be done in Honduras and around the world. APUFRAM currently operates in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Liberia. The non-profit organization consists of elementary and high schools, orphanages, boystowns and girlstowns, a trade school, university housing, and a shelter for abandoned mothers and children. APUFRAM has educated thousands of young people who are now helping their communities in various fields such as agriculture, business, engineering, medicine and teaching.
