GVI Club Gathers Supplies for Firefighters in La Tigra

Emiko Tamashiro with Ms. Wynn 

Since March 18, a wildfire has been moving throughout La Tigra National Park. The Honduran Air Force and firefighters have been working to contain the spread and put out the fires. According to El Heraldo, the amount of damage to what many call “the lungs of the capital” still cannot be determined. 

The Eagle Chronicles' Emiko Tamashiro conducted a brief interview with Ms. Nehme, the faculty advisor of AST’s Global Vision International club, which is having a fundraiser to support the firefighters. Here’s what she had to say. 

Tamashiro: How is the GVI club helping the firefighters?

Ms. Nehme: GVI is helping the firefighters by collecting non-perishable goods. Our firefighters have been working non-stop putting out the fire and they need water and food for their workers and volunteers.

Tamashiro: What does GVI stand for? 

Ms. Nehme: GVI stands for Global Vision International, and it is a club whose mission is to build a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference. GVI’s projects have objectives geared towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In the past we have done activities such as: gone on hikes to do trash pick ups and connect with nature and learn about our forests; released turtles in the south and learned about how to protect the mangrove ecosystem; raised funds to serve the community around La Tigra; and served the community by organizing blood drives along with the Red Cross. 

Tamashiro: How can we help?

Ms. Nehme: Everyone is welcome to donate water, Gatorade, juice, granola bars, energy bars, or other non-perishable items. There are boxes outside each division office (Pre-School, Elementary School, Middle School, and High School) for students to drop off their donations. We will be collecting all items at 11:00 am on Friday March 22, so make your donations before then! 

We can also continue to raise awareness of the importance of our forests and educate the community on why and how to protect them. You can also reach out to other organizations that are collecting funds and/or goods. There are several veterinary clinics that are volunteering their services for animals that have suffered due to the fires. Help is needed all around and you can find an organization that lines up with your goals to help out or volunteer with. I am sure in the aftermath there will be calls to reforest the area and students could also volunteer to plant more trees and to continue promoting their growth by taking care of them. Education is truly key when it comes to preventing an event such as this from happening in the future.