Who would think a group of desks in a classroom could stir so much pride and satisfaction in one person? For fourth-year College student Joe Pohlkamp, executive member of the University's Students Helping Honduras's chapter, these emotions rose from having seen these same desks be prepared for shipping from Virginia to Honduras a few years before.
"I saw those desks being used in a school in Siete de Abril [Honduras]," Pohlkamp said. "Seeing the desks was the icing on the cake in knowing what your work comes to."
Originally founded in 2005 by brother and sister Shin and Cosmo Fujiyama at the University of Mary Washington and the College of William & Mary, Students Helping Honduras has since grown to include three more chapters at Georgetown University, Virginia Tech and at the University of Virginia.
Ever since their initial experience in Honduras in 2004, Shin and Cosmo Fujiyama felt that there was more they could do to help. According to the SHH Web site, the duo promised each other and the Honduran children that they would return with something more.
"Six months later, SHH was founded and a movement emerged," the Web site states. Since Cosmo Fujiyama graduated from William & Mary in the spring, she has moved to Honduras with Shin Fujiyama, where she will spend the next two years.
The University's SHH chapter formed in March and has since grown significantly. Other leaders include second-year Darden student Alex Escobar, fourth-year Commerce student Laurie Paguio and second-year College students Kim Nguyen and Chris Luk.
Pohlkamp said, despite his position as an executive member of the chapter, all members contribute equally to the success of SHH.
"We all have an equal amount of responsibility and do an equal amount of work," he said. "We have positions within our organization but we all do so much work together and that is why we do so well."
This sense of teamwork is a key factor of SHH.
Though it is a fairly new organization at the University, SHH-USA, the umbrella group, has already accomplished a number of tasks as a non-profit organization. Last year, it raised a total of $300,000 to build 72 houses in Siete de Abril. Half of the houses were built this summer.
Programs and events such as bake sales, letter-writing campaigns and an annual Walk-a-Thon at Mary Washington are SHH's primary methods of fundraising. The SHH-U.Va. chapter is hoping to begin its own annual event that would take place in the spring.
So why Honduras? Pohlkamp, Paguio and Escobar emphasize that it is all about connections. In Honduras, SHH carries out most of its projects in El Progreso, a city in northwest Honduras, with a majority of their connection and work being done in Copprome, ProNiño and Siete de Abril.
"El Progreso is Honduras's fourth-biggest city, yet it seems untouched by foreign aid," Paguio said. "The thing is that it is a small enough place to make a difference."
The members, especially those who have visited Honduras, spend much of their time in there with children.
"It's impossible to go there and not have the people change your life," Pohlkamp said. "We provide them with sustenance and a way to live, but they are the ones who really change our lives. I have yet to see a person that goes there and comes back unaffected.
"The motivation for the organization is the kids," he added. "You'll get to know them and they'll change you."
One of the children expressed a wish for houses to be built for her whole town in Siete de Abril. This is how the 72 houses came about.
"We are trying to help Hondurans find specific solutions for their realities," Paguio explained. "There is a large community input in letting us know what they need help with."
Most of the school year is spent raising money, and breaks are spent in Honduras. The last trip for the U.Va. chapter took place this past summer with other members from the William & Mary and Mary Washington chapters, during which time they worked on building the houses.
The organization prides itself on being a part of every part of the process.
"The money doesn't go to corporations that don't show you the end result," Luk said. "All the money goes to Honduras."
This process, in SHH members' eyes, is what makes their organization stand out.
The next SHH trip to Honduras will take place this winter, the purpose of which is to continue building the other half of the houses in Siete de Abril. Many of the current houses are made of tin and cardboard. With recurring disasters such as the recent Hurricane Felix and Hurricane Mitch that took place 10 years ago, strong durable houses are necessary.
As for this semester's goals, according to Paguio, SHH hope to build more awareness of the organization on Grounds, including through participation in this year's Culturefest.
Another of SHH's goal is to bridge the gap among different organizations on Grounds.
The organization's numbers are growing, which is seen in the number of students planning to travel to Honduras. Originally, five students were involved in this winter's trip. The number grew to seven, 15 and finally 20 participants.
"This shows how everyone has realized the potential of this U.Va. chapter and the speed in which it has grown," Escobar said.
With loyal members and an enthusiastic presence at this year's Activities Fair, SHH is likely to keep growing at a fast pace.And while their trips to Honduras include time for fun activities, members say their mission is the first priority.
"We do have a ton of fun," Pohlkamp said. "We go on banana boats on the Caribbean Sea, and we go to parties and clubs but we have a goal and we do it."
Such dedication to their work and goals led to the organization's motto, termed by Cosmo Fujiyama: "Students Helping Honduras: We just did it!"
Though some organizations suffer when the original founders graduate, SHH does not expect to encounter this problem. With many of those in leadership roles graduating in the spring, Nguyen and Luk will step up and take control of the University's chapter of SHH. Meanwhile, members new and old talk about the children they befriended and the experiences they have had and will continue to have in Honduras.
"We build relationships," Pohlkamp said. "We open our minds. We know the kids. We don't wave at them and take some nice Facebook pictures and leave. We are bridging the gap between U.S. students and the world."
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