Roatan, Honduras
I recently discussed the experiences I had selling my first few books of poetry in a post entitled Stepping Stones. Little did I know that in the process of selling my poetry books in the streets of Seattle I’d become acquainted with such valuable pieces to my experience of life.
One of the many key people that I met through the process of selling my poetry was a local DJ by the name of Kuhnex. During the 2 years following our meeting, and with a lot of help from Kuhnex and a few other people, my web of connections began to grow throughout the city of Seattle.
That connection I made with Kuhnex in the music-and-spoken-word-filled-streets of Seattle would eventually lead me to a small island off the eastern coast of Honduras called Roatan.
It was 2011 when Kuhnex came to visit me in California after I had moved away from Seattle. He and his girlfriend had recently gone on a 2 month adventure through Central America, spending most of their time in Honduras. Kuhnex photographed and video recorded the majority of their trip and the documentation I saw of the beautiful landscapes and the amazing culture of the Garifuna people absolutely amazed me.
That’s when I put two and two together and realized that he went down there to visit one of the reggae artists we had worked with in Seattle by the name of Bala Shine.
Time Passes
It wasn’t until 2 years later that Kuhnex and I discussed the possibilities of venturing down to Honduras together. After talking about some of the things he saw down there, we felt our trip could be much more than just visiting an old buddy. That’s when we decided our mission would be to assist the local village of Punta Gorda with better access to clean water.
Serendipity
I can’t explain the feeling I had when I first arrived at the island of Roatan. The air was fresh, the people were kind and the landscape was incredible.
After arriving in the village, we immediately made it our goal to figure out the water situation. We spoke with various leaders from the community and realized that water wasn’t the main concern for the village. In fact, they had better access to fresh water than the majority of barrios in Honduras.
As this realization sunk in, our friend Bala wanted to take us to the top of a hill so we could look out over the ocean and see a small project that he and a few other people from the community had been working on.
Once there, he began to describe his vision for a sustainable farm. Kuhnex and I looked at each other and realized that clean water wasn’t the thing we came there to do, we were there to help set up sustainable farms. Unfortunately, as we realized this our trip was already coming to an end. The farm would have to wait until we returned.
Transforming the Vision
It was 3 months later that I made it back to Roatan. Over that course of time, Bala, Kuhnex and I had the opportunity to brainstorm ideas for the sustainable farm we were looking to setup during this next trip.
With a mutual vision in our minds, we brought a few people from the community with us and we began preparing the farm. Chopping the brush with machetes, raking dead leaves, cutting roots, and avoiding the countless bugs that seemed to bite us as if we were the only food they’d ever have a chance to eat.
We worked and worked. 3 weeks later, this is what we had accomplished.
We had a few days left in our journey after the farm was setup, and it was then that Bala told us that his uncle wanted to speak with us about something.
Sitting down with Bala’s uncle and his family, we learned that they were interested in us investing in their unique restaurant that sat on the most beautiful beachfront property in Punta Gorda. We said, “of course.”
Back in the States
When I got back to Atlanta I was floating on a cloud. We helped set up an amazing sustainable farm, creating a unique synergy with the village, and I was now an investor in an incredible restaurant (that needed a lot of work).
Change Directions
That was when I got the call from Bala. He told me that the person who let us use the land for the sustainable farm didn’t want anyone up there.
At first I felt a little frustrated, thinking about all our hard work and pure intentions. Then out of nowhere I realized that I was grateful he had pulled the plug on the farm then, verses 3 years down the road when we would have schools and community centers near the farm.
Upset and a bit disappointed, Kuhnex, Bala and I refocused our attention on the restaurant.
3rd Trip
I returned a 3rd time to Roatan in January of 2014, and I must say that the restaurant had progressed in incredible ways. Kuhnex and I brought our entrepreneurial knowledge and marketing skills to help propel the business forward. It has been quite the rollercoaster, but the journey has been amazing.
What I’ve Learned
First and foremost I have to say that I believe everything happens for a reason, and I mean Everything.
I’ve learned some valuable lessons from my time spent in Honduras.
A few key things that I’ll never forget are:
#1 – Just because things don’t work out the way you thought doesn’t mean there is no other solution – We were unable to solve the water problem and the foundation for the sustainable farm crumbled, but opportunities never ceased. In fact, the restaurant may be the piece of the puzzle that reopens clean water and sustainable farm projects on the island.
#2 – I didn’t come to Earth with a cape and mask – By this I mean I am no superhero, but I can work through the superpower that is Life. Instead of trying to be a savior in “underprivileged places,” I simply need to work consciously and compassionately with others. Realizing that as I empower myself, I empower them, and as I empower them, I empower myself.
#3 – One idea can produce great things – If Kuhnex and I wouldn’t have started with the issue of providing the village with clean water then we would never have set up the farm. I believe that if we didn’t show our work ethic and passion in setting up the farm then we would have never had the opportunity to invest in the restaurant. It’s all connected.
The lessons above are just a few of the many that will continually be with me throughout this life.
We are walking upon an amazing planet, with incredible people.
What is the most unique place you’ve visited and why?
Leave your comments below.
Next Trip To Honduras
I am returning to Roatan this month to continue work with the restaurant and look at a few other small businesses to empower. I’ll make sure to take plenty of pictures to share this journey with you.
If you’d like to see more pictures from this incredible place click here.
Gratitude
Thank you for taking a moment to visit Three Key Life.
Never forget that you are empowering somebody right now, even if it is yourself.
Have an incredible day.
Peace
Happiness
Compassion
Respect