3,500+ Students Receive Technical Education in Honduras

More than 3,500 students receive technical education in Honduras each year through CAMO’s partner trade school in Santa Rosa de Copán. In 2025, 3,522 students completed courses and workshops designed to prepare them for employment, entrepreneurship, and greater economic independence.

Recently, Joseph Ruiz, Director, and Alexander Peña, Operations Manager, traveled to Ohio to learn about technical education, modern manufacturing, workforce partnerships, and Makerspace programs. They returned to Honduras with practical ideas and new examples that can strengthen vocational training for thousands of students.

Special thanks to Izabel Scheibe and Barry Romich of the Romich Foundation, whose support helped establish the trade school’s Makerspace and made visits to other innovative training programs possible.

The Wayne County Schools Career Center also shared its experience with skills-based instruction and employer partnerships, offering valuable ideas for strengthening workforce preparation. CAMO extends special thanks to Kristin Samson, Lynn Moomaw, Sarah Morro, Lynette Boggs, Heather Lessiter, and Curtis Good for investing several days in this learning exchange.

Building Technical Education in Honduras

CAMO’s partnership with the school began in 2003, when enrollment was nearly zero and the facility had been abandoned. CAMO helped reorganize the board and invested more than $500,000 in renovations, equipment, and learning materials.

Early support came from the Charles Wood family, Salem Mennonite Church, and The Noble Foundation, helping create the foundation for a school that now reaches thousands of students through technical and vocational training.

The impact of this learning exchange is already being seen at the Trade School of Honduras. The visit brought new knowledge, practical examples, and ideas for improving educational programs in ways that can have a lasting impact on students and their communities.

One learning visit can strengthen technical education for thousands of students for years to come.

Your support helps CAMO invest in education, vocational training, and workforce development in Honduras, creating opportunities for students to build skills, pursue employment, start businesses, and achieve greater economic independence.