LEDGE in Honduras

 

Real LEDGE (Leading Economic Development through Global Entrepreneurship) is an organization based in Athens, GA.  They work to advance and promote social and business entrepreneurship.  LEDGE has a team based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras that is working with local schools in 8 different departments (States in US terms) to train teachers and students about entrepreneurship.

John Shipes, a member of our club, spent May 26-30 in Campamento, Honduras at Liceo (High school) Fray Ivan Rohloff as Real Ledge Honduras’s first international volunteer.  John approached this effort a little differently, volunteering to implement the exercises used in the classes prior to attending training with Real Ledge.  One other challenge is that he speaks “no mucho” espanol.  However, not being deterred by these challenges, the “experiment” at Liceo Fray Ivan Rohloff was a success. 

 

Clemence Kopeikin, Director with Real LEDGE Honduras, had this to say.  “I am pleased to say our first international volunteer was a success.  John’s visit at the school significantly helped reinforce our entrepreneurship program.  We are very thankful that he was able to spend one-on-one time with the teachers, participating in teaching assistance in several classes, and mentorship to the students.”  Jorge Ramirez, administrator and teacher also added, “It allowed us to have a powerful, multicultural experience that the kids were truly amazed by.  You helped them think about why they need to learn English and why they need to be more proactive in their lives.”

 

One true measure of the experience was seen on the last afternoon.  In the am, John and Jorge spent time with 7^th and 8^th grade students going through a “punto equilibrium” (break-even point) exercise.  That afternoon, at a parents meeting, three of the students presented the exercise to parents.  The parents were so excited about the exercise, they split into three groups, did the exercise and then presented to the other groups.

 

John is very excited about the possibilities entrepreneurship presents both on a local and global level.  We look forward to more adventures in entrepreneurism from John and Real LEDGE Honduras.  This was a wonderful opportunity and we would like to thank the Real LEDGE team and the team at Liceo Fray Ivan Rohloff for their support.