Equestrians join forces to move forward Education on Wheels project

Over 400 children gathered in Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, to celebrate the new ‘Bibliomóvil’ van, a pivotal addition to the Education on Wheels project - a collaborative initiative between JustWorld International and local partner Asociación Compartir. 

The Education on Wheels project, initiated in 2003, has been instrumental in delivering education directly to underprivileged children in Tegucigalpa, addressing economic and geographical barriers to schooling. In a country where 60% of the population has never read a book, this project provides vital lessons, tutoring, music, cultural arts programs, alongside essential provisions like clean water and nutritious snacks. 

Following a strategic decision to extend the Education on Wheels project further into the Municipality of San Antonio de Oriente, JustWorld International Founder and President Jessica Newman – who is a former equestrian athlete – worked alongside Heike Dittmann, Secretary General of the Federacion Ecuestre de Honduras (Honduras Equestrian Federation) to mobilize global equestrian support to raise funds for a new vehicle. 

Financial contributions from the Honduras Equestrian Federation and the Fédération Equestre International (FEI), combined with a successful matching campaign by individual members of the international equestrian community, not only met but surpassed the fundraising target within a remarkable 24-hour period.

"I know from my own experiences as a show jumping athlete that equestrian is not just a sport - it is also a lifelong belonging to a community,” Jessica Newman said.  

“Being a part of a community, means that everyone helps each other to learn and grow. And since I first went to Honduras, it has always been my wish to give the local children the opportunity to feel this sense of community and a chance to receive the assistance they need to create a better life for themselves.    

“It makes me proud to see what we have achieved as a community for the Education on Wheels project. As equestrians, we don’t just hope for change. We pride ourselves on taking active steps to make things happen. That sporting communities can help to improve the wellbeing and futures of young people, is a powerful message to send out to the world.” 

Miguel Angel Matute, Educator of Education on Wheels program, Tegucigalpa

The 'Bibliomóvil', now a cornerstone of the mobile literacy project, has significantly impacted Honduran children residing in impoverished areas within Tegucigalpa. Travelling more than 100 miles per week, even throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, it reached 17 community centers, providing hundreds of at-home learning resources to ensure continuity in children's education. 

With the addition of the second vehicle, the project's reach can now extend to the entire Municipality of San Antonio de Oriente, aiming to serve an additional 2,635 children annually across 20 new communities. This expansion magnifies Asociación Compartir and JustWorld’s Education on Wheels cumulative impact to 5,635 children. 

Secretary General Heike Dittmann of the Honduras Equestrian Federation said, "Equestrian sport is rooted in empathy and a deep understanding of the horse. The outpouring of support for the Education on Wheels project from the equestrian community speaks to the core values of our sport - patience, kindness, and belief in the worthiness of all beings. This is a long-term commitment, and I am confident in our community's dedication to helping this project grow more in the future." 

"The support from the equestrian community and the National Federation of Honduras for this project is incredibly encouraging,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.  

“The FEI is proud to have played a part in taking the Education on Wheels initiative a step further, and we hope that this project will help young people take clear actionable steps towards reaching their full potential, so that they can be empowered to create a better future for themselves.”

Hector Miguel Mejia, Municipal Director of Education, San Antonio de Oriente; Daniel O’Connor, Board Member of JustWorld International; Rosa María Nieto Mejía, Executive Director of Asociación Compartir

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JustWorld International

Established in 2003, JustWorld International was created to connect equestrians with a direct way to help fracture the cycle of poverty through education, healthcare, nutrition, and leadership programs benefiting children around the world. Thousands of Ambassadors from more than forty countries have since committed to “Ride for the Cause” and transform the lives of children through equestrian sport. JustWorld has united the international equestrian community and become the Official Charity Partner of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the world governing body of equestrian sport. Envisioning a more just world, the non-profit organization cultivates strategic, project partnerships in a collaborative approach to impact the lives of nearly 10,000 children around the globe annually.

To donate, become an Ambassador, or learn more about JustWorld, please visit www.justworldinternational.org or @justworldinternational on Facebook and Instagram.

JustWorld International is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States and tax-deductible donations are accepted in the United States. JustWorld International has no political or religious affiliation.