The generosity of Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas co-workers is making a direct and positive impact on the children at an orphanage in Honduras. Hundreds of much-needed items are now in the possession of the children at the Sisters of Mercy Casa Corazón de la Misericordia Orphanage. It is a home for children with HIV/AIDS, who have been orphaned or abandoned, or whose parents no longer care for them for economic or health reasons.

Several hundred-pound boxes were picked up on Aug. 14 from Rogers, and taken by cargo ship to the Honduras orphanage. The shipment arrived in mid-September and one of the Sisters at the orphanage shared an update with Soraya Humphries, a Mercy Associate and long-time Mercy co-worker, who was instrumental in making this project possible.

“They all received their bag of clothes from you,” said Sr. Masbely del Cid. “We classified the clothes and shoes according to the measurements of each boy and girl in the home and the multiplication took place in abundance. It was a party for them [the children]. It seemed like Christmas, they were very happy and today they all put on new clothes. Thank you very much for making these unforgettable moments possible.”

Team Mercy Outreach NWA and Mercy Associates of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas organized the drive in which they collected sheet sets, clothing, shoes, diapers, baby wipes, towels, toys and some simple medical supplies to name a few. James Crews, local area facilitator for the Mercy Associates of the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy NWA lab support technicians supervisor also played an important role in the effort and is thankful for the opportunity to assist the Sisters of Mercy in their effort.

“It speaks to the power of a mission driven by Christ to address need wherever it is,” shared James.