My H&H Story: Ben Higgins
An anger-fueled fight for justice
Ben Higgins has been a key part of Humanity and Hope United’s purpose and success since it started in 2010, and now serves on the Board of Directors.
Years ago before H&H existed, Ben was first introduced to the needs of the people and communities of Honduras as a teenager on a mission trip with his church. When he returned on his second trip,, however, he didn’t see the change he’d hoped to see from their previous efforts. It made him angry on many different levels…
“I don’t know why people have to live this way and why there’s no way out of poverty.”
On one of these visits, a trip leader saw Ben’s frustration and told Ben that meeting these local children would give them the “best day of their lives.” The realization that these kids deserved more and shouldn’t see his visit as such a pinnacle was a frustration to Ben--one that followed him for years.
Riley Fuller, remembering Ben’s passionate response to the injustices of poverty, called Ben years later to tell him about his dream of starting H&H, and Ben was immediately sold on the vision and mission. The philosophy of kinship, friendship, and partnership is something that Ben still holds as a powerful part of his involvement and H&H’s success.
“The idea that I have to now deconstruct my own ego to then sit with people in friendship and partnership. To ask them...how can I help?...We’ll build this thing together.”
Throughout the past 11 years, Ben has seen communities transformed.
A favorite story of his involves the building of a water tower in La Coroza. One 34-year-old woman shared that after just four months of drinking clean water, she woke up without a stomach ache or diarrhea for the first time in her life. Add to that the number of young people now attending college, and it is clear that real, substantial change is happening!
Humanity and Hope has transformed Ben by giving him the understanding of how his life and circumstances can make a real impact. He started trying to bring in more people, to use the platform he was handed to increase the mission of H&H and bring light to the lives of people in Central America.
“H&H has been a life-breathing mission for me because it’s given me a purpose.”
Ben encourages those who want to serve to think about their particular skills.
“Our passions and our purpose come from what anger us the most. Figure out what makes you angriest and go take a step toward it.”
For Ben, his anger about the disparity between the lives of the people in Honduras and the life he is able to live in the US continues to ignite a desire to answer needs and transform our H&H communities.
Thank you, Ben, for your support from day one. Thank you for continuing to serve Honduras with us and bring hope to so many lives!
October 5, 2021
Written by: Nikki Peters