Page 10 - Our Little Roses FMS 2020 Annual Report

HURRICANES
ETA & IOTA

Our Little Roses is located in the Sula
Valley, which is prone to major flooding.
With back-to-back hurricanes on the way we
took precautions in case we were inundated with
significant amounts of water. Hundreds of sand bags
were placed around the campus and we prepared to move to the
second floor.

The little girls were the ones who were most eager and excited about
moving their belongings upstairs to the school. They laid out their
mattresses on the floor and packed all kinds of canned goods and
snacks just in case they got hungry. They ran up and down the school
stairs carrying their suitcases and chattering about how much fun it
was going to be. Luckily the Home was not affected.

Reality set in when we found that six of our staff did not have time to
get out before the flood waters inundated their homes leaving some of
them completely under water. Here are just a couple of stories from
staff:

Miriam, who has worked for Our Little Roses for years as a cook, just
moved into her dream house that she had been saving for for years.
Her sons helped her buy new furniture and even curtains. Her daughter
bought her a brand-new smart TV. Miriam told me,” It was horrible
having to leave my house, the waters were rising and engulfing all of
my belongings. The waters were up to my waist and I didn’t know if I
could make it out alive.” Thankfully, she did make it out, but she lost
everything.

Doña Eliza who works in housekeeping at the school, (HFBS), cried as
she left her house behind with everything that she owned. When she
went back a week later, the house was still flooded but she had to
laugh as she told me that her refrigerator somehow was hanging from
her clothesline in the backyard.

Five Our Little Roses graduates were also impacted, suffering
devastating losses. The following are two of their stories:

pg. 10