When I ask people what stands out in their early childhood memories, most often than not, it is hide-and-seek, playing outside, or enjoying an activity with friends.  Sport and play-based activities can be one of the most transformative forces in a child’s life.  They allow children to imagine, dream, and engage with others in creative ways.  Nowhere is this more important than for girls in Honduras, where crime, gangs, and trafficking are daily threats.  

Unfortunately, access to these activities is often not available in Honduras.  So, for the past few years, our family has worked to bring the joy of sport and dance from our local community on Mercer Island to girls in Honduras through a special partnership with the Mhotivo School Foundation in San Pedro Sula and Choloma.  My husband, Renton, works in apparel manufacturing for SanMar, a Mercer Island-owned family business.  A few years ago, SanMar made an investment in the Mhotivo school, and we want to keep encouraging development at this very special school.

“Mhotivo is a unique and special place offering high-quality education to underprivileged children.  Funding is always tight, so extracurricular activities like sport and dance are often not available as our own children noticed during one of our visits,” said Renton.

In 2023, our daughter Henley, a former Island Youth Ballet dancer, reached out to Cecilia Illisieu—Principal Dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet and founder of Global Ballet Teachers—and invited her to travel to Honduras. Cecilia came to inspire and coach the teachers at Mhotivo and a local dance studio, helping them strengthen their dance instruction. Since then, Henley has returned to Honduras herself to help teach classes to the children at Mhotivo.

And in  March 2025, our daughter Aida traveled with Elliott Fauske, owner of Soccer Fun Camps and a well-known coach for Mercer Island FC, to Mhotivo to coach girls' soccer classes. Together, they coached over 200 girls aged 9-14, playing fun games and scrimmaging in 80-degree weather, and witnessing the girls laughing and having fun.  “Although they were excited to play, they were clearly shy and reticent. Almost like they were unsure if they were allowed to or capable of participating,” said Fauske.

The goal is to continue bringing volunteer coaches, players, and other girls from Mercer Island and the local community to further develop access for girls' sports at Mhotivo.  Already, ballet is offered full-time, and given the success of Elliott’s initial soccer classes, we want to ensure girls at Mhotivo have summer soccer camps and other opportunities to play during the year.  

As we boarded our flight home, I couldn’t help but reflect on our experience. Not only is this a benefit for Mhotivo, but this experience offers Islanders a chance to give back, learn from others, and receive a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is priceless in the process.  Our family feels so lucky to be involved with such a special group of people who are so thankful for these opportunities.  

For more information, visit www.mhotivo.org or reach out to Shannon Leversedge at shantalent@yahoo.ca.