20230223superiorgloveemployeehonduras — Melanie Thomas of Superior Glove with some of the children in Honduras.

The Superior Glove team who went to Honduras to teach English is back and spreading the word about their touching experiences in Central America.

Acton resident Derek Neal is one of four employees from across North America who took the trip to help with the company’s new English school program in Villanueva, Cortes, where Superior Glove has opened two plants since 2018.

The initiative was geared toward children of the company’s employees as an alternative to childcare while local schools are shut down for winter break. The program served 31 students, ages nine to 15, in January.

But it wasn’t just the kids whose language skills improved. Neal said his Spanish language skills got better by the day in Honduras.

“I don’t know that much Spanish, so I did Duo Lingo before I got there,” he said.

20230223superiorgloveemployeeshonduras — Derek Neal and Melanie Thomas relied heavily on Honduras-based volunteer teachers such as Jose for translating and support with lessons. Supplied photo

“On the last day of school, some of the students were emotional saying goodbye. The ones that were quiet, the older ones said they would miss me and expressed how much they appreciated getting to learn English.

“I was really taken back by that. I was thinking they are teenagers at school during their winter break, they probably are not enjoying it. I was really touched.”

Melanie Thomas, another Superior Glove volunteer teacher from Springdale, Newfoundland said, “After two weeks of being with the children, I have learned a lot about gratitude; small things we take for granted like running water in our school bathrooms, clean drinking water and safe play equipment. I truly believe that four or more weeks of camp are ideal to see positive outcomes and changes in the development of the children’s learning of the English language.”

Local teachers may take for granted that they can photocopy or print their materials at school, but not having access to either technology was one of Neal’s challenges during the trip.

“I had to get all materials ready at the plant. There are no photocopiers at the school. It’s not like here where you can quickly go print something,” he said.

The photocopier at the Superior Glove office is where Neal would be after teaching from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. He would stop in, usually for a few hours, on his way back to the hotel to prepare for the next day.

The office staff were very patient with him as he hogged the machine regularly for two weeks, he said.

“The wifi is only in the principal’s office. If we do this again next year, we are hoping to bring more technology to the school. I think that’s where a partnership with other businesses comes into place,” Neal said.

Superior Glove intends to return in 2024 to double the number of English program registrants. The company also hopes to improve the school’s access to technology, including photocopiers, tablets and laptops.

“It’s incredibly illuminating to discover that a high percentage of children attending the camp were starting to speak in full English sentences by only week three. This validates to us the significance this program delivers and the opportunities we started to open for future development for these kids,” said Superior Glove marketing and community engagement specialist Carleigh Roughley.

“We all look forward to seeing this English camp develop in the years to come, and the possibility of new community and corporate partnerships that could further build an even stronger program for this wonderful community in Honduras.”

Businesses interested in partnering with Superior Glove on the program in Honduras can contact Roughley at carleigh.roughley@superiorglove.com.

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Superior Glove team reflects on teaching English in Honduras