My job at ALF is allowing me to put into practice everything I’ve learned from my previous work experiences. God has been preparing me to come back to Roatan to serve by being part of an organization that provides opportunities for islanders to flourish.
I’m fortunate to have come from a family that values education and hard work, a quote from my maternal grandmother has been fundamental to make me who I am today: “Always strive to be the best, and if you aren’t the best, always make sure you’re among the best”.
After living in a city of mainland Honduras most of my adult life, moving back to Roatan has helped me to see how fortunate I was growing up many years ago on the island, having access to family-owned housing, English education almost from birth as well as many positive influences throughout my life. Four women in particular were fundamental in making me the person I am today: my great grandmother Dell Collins Abbott (she learned to read in her sixties by reading her Bible); my grandmother Murlin Elvina Abbott (she only went to one year of formal schooling but was an avid reader); my mother Martha Johnson (who after raising three children went back to school, completed secretarial training as well as obtained her high school degree); and my Aunt Roselin Johnson Dilbert (who was also my English teacher from the age of three).
The guiding principles at ALF and our positive work culture make working in the organization a joy. The trusting environment generated by the founders, the board of directors and the executive leadership is unparalleled in my experience.
COVID-19 has brought another element to the workplace and greater depth to relationships between our staff and leadership. Encouragement is always given by organization’s leadership to focus on the wellbeing of our staff, which translates into greater engagement and commitment to excellence. Even though the office has not been opened to the public, a lot of behind-the-scenes work is going on in preparation for when office reopens for us to be better at what we do.
We also have continued our efforts to reach out to the community through our Bilingual Literacy Program in the communities of Sandy Bay and Brick Bay. Our Luci Light programs with small distribution helps vulnerable communities and groups in both municipalities of Roatan and Santos Guardiola in households with no access to electricity, as well as the fishermen’s association and water taxi association to support their efforts of making a living to provide for their families during this difficult period we’re all going through.
After experiencing professional success due to having a bilingual education, and hearing of statistics from back in the seventies of 100% literacy rate in the island, my personal dream is to see our Bilingual Literacy Program expanding to every community on the island and eventually eliminate illiteracy among children throughout Roatan and the Bay Islands.