The vision of Montaña de Luz
Our Mountain of Light aims to become the leading provider of family-based, coordinated care resources for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS in Honduras. We strive to dramatically increase the use of anti-retroviral medications, eradicate HIV stigma, and empower thousands more people to live happy and healthy lives.
Montaña de Luz is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity formed more than 20 years ago in a suburb of Columbus, Ohio. The founders initially trekked to Honduras to help with relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
When they saw the dire conditions of children with HIV/AIDS, the group decided to focus on those critical needs after hurricane relief. Today, MdL operates a children’s group home and provides community services including education and small-business startups.
OUR EVOLVING MISSION
Hospice
In the beginning, MdL was a place for children with AIDS to receive love and care before they died with dignity.
Group Home
Life-saving medicine gave children hope for full lives, so MdL adjusted to meet housing, education and medical needs.
Community Center
MdL will continue to meet the needs of children in our care, plus serve the larger community of Nueva Esperenza.
Through the Years
THE MOUNTAIN OF LIGHT KEEPS SHINING
Montaña de Luz opened its doors for youth living with HIV in 2001. The first documented case of HIV in Honduras was identified in 1984 and by 1998, Honduras had the highest prevalence of HIV in Central America. Because medication didn’t reach Honduras until 2003, MdL functioned as a hospice for the first few years. We provided a safe and caring environment for children to pass with dignity, surrounded by loving caretakers and nurses.
After gaining access to medication, we were able to evolve to a children’s home that has housed over 60 youth.
Today, we are focused on family preservation. HIV is the Number 2 reason why a child enters institutional care in Honduras,, but we know that an HIV diagnosis is not a reason for a child to be separated from their family.
Through our Healthy Families Honduras program, we serve more than 40 families throughout Honduras that have been impacted by HIV. We intervene before a child needs to be removed from the home. Our team in Honduras offers psychological and educational support, in addition to transportation to medical appointments. Since 2018, we have prevented over 30 children from entering institutional care.