This month, our Vice President of Operations and Director of Community Relations, Adrianne Wells, reflects on a week she spent last month in Honduras, as part of Buzz Marketing Group’s continuing mission to give back and support organizations such as Friends of the Orphans. Check out what she thought of her first experience in Honduras.

So, this was your first trip to Honduras. What were you expecting?

Honduras was beautiful, and I really didn't expect that. When you think of third world countries, and envision what you have been taught and seen on television, you don't think that third world countries are peaceful and beautiful. The ranch, where the children live, was so calm and peaceful. I was expecting to see horrible conditions just because of the negative stereotypes associated with orphanages and third world countries.

How long have you been involved with Friends of the Orphans, and in what capacity? How did you originally get involved?

I've been involved with Friends vicariously through my sister for a few years now. Last year, we met with the Executive Director of the Virginia office to talk about different ways that Buzz Marketing Group could get involved. At that time, I officially became involved. Since then, I've helped develop ads for the Buzz Report and right now, I am working to develop some marketing materials, so we can reach out to some of our clients and partners in order to garner support for Friends and their mission.

Earlier this year, I also became a godparent to a little girl named Helen, who is six years old, so my affiliation with the organization grew to a different level.

Describe the experience of meeting your godchild for the first time?

I met Helen as we were going into mass on Saturday afternoon. It was exciting to see her in person! My initial reaction was that she seemed much smaller in person. She was also very shy, at first. We sat together during mass and I gave her some presents I bought for her (a Barbie, conditioner and a jump rope). She could barely contain herself during the service because she wanted to play with her toys. I found Helen to be such a joy and a pleasure to be around. She was very happy and excited about the celebration, and she was very happy to meet me for the first time.

Would you please explain what the board meeting was about? Why was it so important? What was done during the meeting? What were the results?

The board meeting is an annual meeting. Each year, the board members of Friends, staff members and other individuals who have connections with the organization get together, but the location is different each year. This year was the 20th anniversary celebration of the Honduran orphanage, so it was appropriate to have it in Honduras. So, along with the meeting, there was a celebration that took place during the weekend. There was a special dinner on Saturday and some of the godparents who attended the meeting were able to spend time with their godchildren. The children also performed special dances for us.

During the meetings, there was a discussion of budgets, recent events within each of the nine orphanages and recent changes within staff and board members over the past year. There was also time for everyone to mingle and brainstorm about new marketing ideas and programs that needed to be implemented in the Honduran orphanage as well as time to consider programs that might benefit the orphanage.

There were two important benefits that made the board meeting worthwhile for me: (1) everyone gained a better understanding of the organization’s financial status and (2) we were able to get to know staff members and board members from around the world. Most importantly, everyone was able to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of the Honduran orphanage during the past 20 years.

Are there any preconceived notions you had before the trip that were completely shattered? If so, what?

Before going on this trip, I had never visited an orphanage before. Based on what I'd seen on television (Feed the Children), I thought that I was going to see horrendous conditions when I went to the orphanage for the first time. I know that Feed the Children commercials should not be used in comparison to any type of orphanage or program that raises money to help children in need, but it's hard not to think of that when you think of an orphanage. The orphanage was beautiful, well-kept, serene and so full of life. The children were the happiest children I had ever seen in my life — even though their lives were so simple. Most of the children had lives that were complicated and full of violence before they arrived at the orphanage. I wish that I could take every dramatic commercial produced by Feed the Children and replace them with commercials for Friends, because I feel that more people would be willing to donate if they saw how Friends has impacted the lives of the children.

What was the highlight of your trip?

The highlight of my trip occurred when Tina and I were looking for kids to come and sit with us at our table during the dinner because we had a few empty spaces. I found a girl named Ashley, 7, who I met earlier that day during mass and I invited her to come and have dinner with Helen and me. This was the highlight of my trip because she was so excited to eat the "fancy" dinner with us and even more excited that I wanted to be her godmother. I loved being able to watch Helen and Ashley interact with the other children at the table and enjoy time with one another at an exciting event.

If you could tell people one thing about Friends of the Orphans, what would it be?

The work that Friends is doing speaks for itself. The children who are essentially "products" of Friends, demonstrate the success of the organization and how the word “orphanage” does not have to have a negative connotation.

For more information about Friends of the Orphans, please contact Adrianne Wells at Adrianne@buzzmg.com.