Craft with
Purpose

In 1974 Danilo Martinez founded a small leather company in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. With a few hand tools, a work bench, scraps of leather, and a profound vision he was able to change the Central American leather industry forever. Although his company thrived in the poverty of its surrounding communities, he refused to be satisfied with his success. More than anything, he wanted to help people. He wanted to give back to his community and he wanted to create a positive atmosphere where those around him could be successful.

This desire to do more led Mr. Martinez to devote a large portion of his time towards community outreach. Often times he would visit poverty stricken areas and offer food or even a chance to learn a trade in his factory. At the root of his efforts, Danilo Martinez always stressed his strong belief in God. He sought to teach people that no matter what their economic condition, there was a compassionate God that cared for them and that died on the cross for them. He felt that you need to do more than just give someone a handout, instead you should teach them of their own personal value and how that value can be used to glorify God. He believed simply, in giving people hope.

His efforts as a humanitarian and Christian served as the driving force behind the formation of the Danilos Cares non-profit initiative in 2012. This effort seeks to make an impact on the Honduran community through a variety of programs. It stresses the importance of positive attributes and is specifically designed to help Honduran children. What started with a few hand tools and scraps of leather has grown into something that will help positively shape Honduran youth for years

The bleak existence of economic instability, crippling poverty, and the overall lack of hope that exists in the third world has been a stark reality since my childhood. Growing up in Honduras, I realized at a young age that life can be overwhelmingly harsh.

This painful truth causes a great number of individuals to feel lost and unimportant. Many Hondurans see these factors as obstacles that prevent personal and spiritual development. However, my parents viewed the Honduran condition as an opportunity to help those in need. Rather than giving in to the status quo, they sought, at every turn, to aid individuals by providing sustenance and helping them find employment, but most importantly by giving them with the undeniable power of the gospel. Making no distinction of class, color, or creed. Their passion to improve the lives of Hondurans was based in spiritual nourishment. They believed that if you taught people about their personal value and helped them find a positive relationship with God that they would learn not to claim themselves as victims of poverty but as soldiers of progress.

This is the inspiration that has led me to facilitate the efforts of the Danilos Cares non-profit initiative. I hope you share in our vision and join our cause.