Mrs. Loriann Harmon:  a daughter,

mother and

teacher.

During a college study abroad experience, Harmon comes across an orphanage in Mexico. Her experiences of working with the children who lost the most ignites a fire in her.

Harmon knows she needs to help.

August 2008 births this tradition.

She finds herself in a foreign country, Honduras. In front of its largest orphanage: Emmanuel.

Harmon’s first trip immerses her into the local culture and standards of living. The appeal of a free room and boarding is hard to argue against. Despite lacking A/C,  3 meals and the occasional tarantula, she finds her home away from home.

Not scared away by the tarantulas, Harmon makes it her tradition to visit the young children of Orphanage Emmanuel.

She starts a blog to document her day-to-day travels within Honduras. Corner points of the day involve teaching students calculus, running a library and working the health clinic.

Returning every summer without fail, 534 children ranging from toddlers to young adults flood toward Harmon entering the community — they call at the top of their voices.

“Kids shouting from 2 blocks away for me, often spotting myself before I spotted them.”

As kids run to receive their chili-coated mango suckers, she sees her biggest challenge yet.

In 2016, the boys are in distress.

The boys have their toes exposed to the elements. While they are growing, their shoes are not. Leading the campaign to make a change, Harmon urgently calls to the internet.

The blog Harmon updates offers a platform for others to help.

Informing folks back home, she asks for donations of old shoes. Accumulating two dishwasher-sized boxes of shoes, Harmon is able to help the boys.

With retirement on the horizon and tradition pumping her heart, Harmon hopes to reside in the halls of Orphanage Emmanuel.

A location that inspires her impact as daughter, mother and teacher.