In Advent, reflect on a commitment you are considering accepting, or a commitment that needs renewing. In building the house of your life on the rock of God’s committed love, you may discover that you are called to commit; that you cannot claim the Life that God desires for you without it. – Brother Keith Nelson

Glory to our Almighty God, for everything he’s doing with children and young people of Honduras.

Honduras has suffered from crime and violence in most of the major cities. Children and young people under 18 years old are especially affected.

Young people are the target of gangs because the law does not condemn people under the age of 18. Gangs force young people to sell drugs and to serve as spies or informants for drug dealers.

In response to this, World Renew’s partner Association for a More Just Society (AJS) is reaching the most vulnerable young people to rescue them and work with youth and their parents toward a better life.

AJS programs are strategically forming youth clubs and sports clubs in three areas of Tegucigalpa where gangs have a strong presence, and these programs are involving leaders of local churches to support “Youth Impact” clubs.

These programs create positive interpersonal relationships and educational opportunities, and they improve family life and community life for children and youth. To date, 200 children (through impact clubs) and 100 children (through sports clubs) have been developing life skills and positive relationships; from this platform they can become agents of change in their own communities. The programs also include community outreach; youth have been supported to develop prevention campaigns, community infrastructure, and improvements for the most vulnerable households.

AJS has also adopted a Child Protection Policy which has improved safety levels for participants of the youth club program. AJS has created a response team to investigate any suspected psychological or physical vulnerability of a child or young person.

AJS now has a more comprehensive program promoting the rights of children in communities with high rates of violence.