(HONDURAS) I want to share with you the work that is being done through Association for a More Just Society (AJS), our partner who is working in three major neighborhoods in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. AJS is serving in eight areas of these three high-risk neighborhoods—all with a population of young adolescents at risk of involvement in gangs and drug trafficking.
World Renew, along with Association for a More Just Society (AJS), has trained mentors and volunteers to develop an innovative program for 200 young people facing many different problems, making individual and community transformation possible.
One of the important tasks that AJS has developed in recent months has been the promotion of violence prevention practices among youth participants of "impact clubs," addressing issues such as sexuality, healthy dating, sexual abuse prevention, and prevention of alcohol and drug use. AJS also emphasizes work on a safety plan in which every young person must apply five simple rules during a threatening situation.
These rules are as follows:
- Tell where I go and with whom.
- Say no.
- Shout.
- Run.
- Tell the experience to a trusted adult.
With these simple rules, AJS has helped to prevent young people from being victims of sexual abuse or violent death. Katherine, one girl participant of the impact club, shared her unpleasant experience. One evening after she left school, a stranger called her from a car, and she ran. When she got home, she told her mother what had happened. She said, "I did not remember all the rules of the security plan, but I knew I had to tell an adult that I trust, so I immediately told my mom."
Another aspect that I want to share with you is about community learning projects. For World Renew and AJS it is a priority to develop skills and positive relationships among adolescents and thus become agents of change in their communities. A component that has contributed to this is community outreach. Young people have learned to identify needs through participatory assessment, planning, and implementing and evaluating community projects. Young people set priorities in a group meeting and decide which project should be conducted first.
This process has helped them to promote dialogue and a sense of community and belonging, and to have a clearer vision as to how to continue working toward the development of their community.
What I have shared with you is a small part of the work developed through AJS. We are grateful to God for this institution, for their dedication, passion, love, and patience shown in every activity done with youth clubs, as well as with the families of these young people.
I ask your prayers for all who are involved in the work of AJS, as we run a great risk by working in these neighborhoods in development.
Prayers for Honduras
- Pray for rain as Honduras is currently facing a severe drought and food shortages.
- Pray for political stability. Honduras is going through a time of political crisis due to impunity regarding major acts of corruption.
- Pray for reduced crime and violence in the country.
Blessings,
Irene Zepeda de Murillo
Country Consultant
World Renew Honduras
