“HETO began because I was unhappy.  I suppose most things happen because you feel unsettled with your current situation, otherwise why would you want anything different?  In 2003, I was in my second year of teaching at an Indianapolis Catholic elementary school and made

my first trip to Honduras in October of that year.  I went with several other teachers from local Catholic schools and for most of us, it was our first time to a Central American and third world country.  From the moment my friend Buffy came back the year before and told me about the people, schools, natural surroundings, and her overall experience in Honduras, I felt drawn and compelled to go.  I remember stepping off the steps of the plane (at that time the airport had not been updated much and there was no terminal, just a door from the tarmac into the airport) and immediately felt a sense of peace and calm.  It was as if God were standing next to me saying, “Ya see, I told you I was going to bring you somewhere amazing and perfect for you.  Enjoy!”  I did enjoy. I more than enjoyed it. I relished the days and nights I could be away from the worries of home, students, friends and life in general.  Also, I knew that the work we were doing was right, good, and most importantly needed!

What was our work?  We were teachers.  Our goal was to educate, to assist others in the learning process.  Our group went to teach lessons to the local children and provide material and professional support to the Honduran educators.  I felt such satisfaction in knowing that we were truly making a difference for them, knowing that when we left the school, the change could continue.  “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime”, never rang so true.

I decided, upon returning to Indianapolis, that teaching in a classroom each day was not my mission in life, rather it was to continue to the work that was started by others.  In July of 2004, I sat down at the computer, wrote down my ideas and came up with the name Heart in Education Teacher Outreach. 

I was lucky enough to find a fiscal sponsor, a registered non-profit who would let me work under their tax-exempt status until HETO received its own.  For three years, HETO was under the umbrella of Friends of Honduran Children, Inc.  Finally, in 2007 with a Board of Directors, HETO received its incorporation status in the State of Indiana and was able to move away from Friends of Honduran Children and be independent.  Then, in 2008 we received our tax-exemption status from the IRS.  This was a glorious day since at long last HETO was 100% independent and fully formed. 

Since 2004, we have taken 6 groups with over 30 teachers to Honduras.  We have 11 schools in our program and each year we bring a minimum of 1,000 lbs. of school supplies to dozens of deserving teachers.  I’m so proud of the steps we’ve taken and the growth that we’ve made over the last 5 years.  We have a long way to go and many more goals still to accomplish. 

I believe that the work we do in Honduras and in our schools truly makes a difference for both of the groups of teachers.  Indiana teachers return to their classrooms as changed people after seeing education stripped down to its barest essentials.  HETO is truly making a difference!” 

Peggy Esselman, HETO Founder and Executive Director