Deepening Roots, Developing Wings: Interview with Director Allison Brown

At Hope Scholars Honduras, our mission is to break the cycle of poverty and emigration by empowering students through education and faith. In this exclusive interview, Director Allison Brown shares her inspiring journey from missionary nurse to education advocate, revealing the heart behind the scholarship program that’s transforming lives in Honduras.

A Calling Rooted in Faith and Service

Allison Brown’s path to founding Hope Scholars Honduras is deeply rooted in her faith and family legacy. Growing up as a preacher’s kid in a family steeped in church ministry, Allison came to know Jesus at a young age. Inspired by her grandparents’ international mission work, she pursued a career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, specializing in behavioral health for vulnerable children. “My passion has always been kids,” Allison says. “While nursing involves patient education, I’ve come to see education itself as critical for their futures.”

Allison’s 20-year tenure in Honduras with Mission Lazarus, an international development organization she co-founded, shaped her vision. There, she lived, raised her family, directed medical clinics and children’s homes, and eventually opened a primary and secondary school, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of education. “We tried everything—public schools, private Christian schools, homeschooling—but nothing fully met the needs of the vulnerable children we committed to serve,” she recalls. This realization led her to co-found Global Pathways, a Christian foundation focused on innovative education for vulnerable populations, as well as to launch Hope Scholars Honduras, to provide scholarships for Honduran students in the community where she lived and served for twenty years.

The Inspiration Behind Hope Scholars Honduras

Hope Scholars Honduras was born from Allison’s desire to address the educational barriers faced by Honduran children, many of whom live in chronic poverty and lack access to quality schooling. “In Honduras, over two-thirds of families live on less than $4 a day, leaving no room for education,” Allison explains. “Poverty is an unrelenting obstacle, and emigration is a seductive option, but it breaks apart families and is a dangerous process.” Her experiences have showed her that education, paired with emotional and spiritual support, can be a viable and attractive option for many young people.

The program that began with a single student in 2022 currently supports six students with a goal to support 12 by 2026. Each student is a uniquely managed case, supported by a case worker and spiritual mentor, ensuring tailored scholarships that meet individual needs. “We’re not just providing tuition,” Allison says. “We’re fostering a sense of worth and belonging, together with local church leaders, to help students deepen their roots in their communities and develop wings to soar.”

A Faith-Based, Relational Approach

What sets Hope Scholars Honduras apart is its holistic approach, blending academic support with spiritual and emotional care. As a Christian initiative partnered with Ambassadors for Christ, the program creates a safe, relational environment where students feel seen and valued. “Many of these children face trauma and self-defeating beliefs,” Allison notes. “We combat that by showing them their God-given talents and empowering them to thrive right where they are.” Allison’s background as a nurse informs this trauma-informed approach. “Education is a tool, but it’s the emotional and spiritual support that helps students recognize their value and contribute to the world,” she says.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Allison envisions Hope Scholars Honduras as a program that the local community values and invests in for future growth. “I want these students to walk away with a diploma, but more than that, I want them to know their worth in the kingdom, as well as in their community,” she says. “They should be celebrated and equipped to build brighter futures in Honduras.” The program’s goal to support 12 students by 2026 reflects this commitment, with each scholarship fostering academic rigor, spiritual growth, and community impact.

Reflecting on her journey, Allison acknowledges the unexpected path from nursing to education advocacy. “If I could do it over, I’d train as an educator from the start,” she admits. “But my experiences as a nurse—meeting kids’ holistic needs—have shaped Hope Scholars into what it is today.” Her faith, rooted in her early years and strengthened through decades of mission work, drives her to see education as a way to share Jesus’ love and empower the next generation.

Join Our Mission

Allison’s story is a call to action. At Hope Scholars Honduras, every donation helps students to deepen their roots and develop their wings. You can make a difference by:

• Donating: Send checks to Smyrna Church of Christ, 112 Division St, Smyrna, TN 37167, payable to Smyrna Church of Christ, memo: Nominee. Or contact Allison directly on how to set up a direct bank deposit.

• Exploring Student Stories: Request access to our password-protected student portfolios to see their progress and leave encouraging messages.

• Spreading the Word: Follow us on facebook.com/hopescholarshonduras and share our mission to raise awareness.

  
  

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Join us in empowering Honduran students to transform their lives and communities, one scholarship at a time.

Deepening Roots, Developing Wings

—Allison Brown, Director, Hope Scholars Honduras