Karol Salazar, our Strong Communities Program Facilitator in the neighborhood of Nueva Suyapa, works directly with children, adolescents, families and community leaders from Nueva Suyapa to reduce violence.
Songs of Justice / Beyond the Temple
February 1, 2024
"The Strong Communities Program prevents violence in Honduran neighborhoods."
- Karol Salazar
No hay paredes
“ No Walls”
Lyrics by Jesús Adrián Romero
Translation by Sara Pineda
Excerpt from the song:
Everywhere I travel
I want to take you.
Outside of the church and religion,
Through every town and through every region
Among the people who are wandering
without direction, aimlessly;
Among the streets of my city
Where I can see there’s so much need.
Everywhere I will take you
For there are no walls where you could ever be concealed.
When did your justice journey start?
As a social worker, I have always felt called to work with people living in the most vulnerable conditions. Before joining the ASJ team, I worked in education for 5 years. I met a lot of children and adolescents who were living in difficult family situations. As educators, we sought out ASJ’s help, especially when we needed to report childhood sexual abuse.
What does justice sound like to you?
To me, justice sounds like waves crashing on the shore, the stillness and peace that comes with that.
What is your hope for justice in your context?
My biggest hope is that we can decrease the rates of violence and sexual abuse in our community. I hope that more cases can be reported and brought to justice in my community of Nueva Suyapa and throughout the rest of the country.
Earlier this month, The Banner published a story written by Our Shared Ministr y by Karina Guevara and Elmer Salinas . The authors showcase the work that ASJ-Honduras is doing to help and support students in Honduras. Karina and Elmer tell the story of Genesis Garcia, an 8-year-old, whose family struggles to find consistent jobs. "Genesis Garcia Baquedano is 8 years old and lives with her older brother, Anderson, and their parents in Honduras. Her parents work hard to support their family. Genesis’s father is a painter who struggles to find consistent work, and her mother is a street vendor who spends long hours away from home." According to Karina and Elmer, although Genesis is a good student, she was struggling with reading, writing, and math. This is where the ASJ-Hondurans' program, Strong Communities , comes to be a blessing. "Through God’s grace, Genesis and her family were able to join the Strong Communities program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, because the Spanish translation is Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa). Through the program, Genesis attended academic support sessions, where she impressed her tutors with her perseverance and enthusiasm. Now, Genesis’s teachers praise the program for the significant progress Genesis has been making at school." We are blessed to be able to help kids like Genesis and her family to be able to achieve their dreams and goals. You can read the full story HERE and learn more about the ASJ-Honduras Strong communities program HERE
Highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI
MY EMPTY VILLAGE / HOW IMMIGRATION AFFECTS A COMMUNITY (by Sara Pineda)
Young Hondurans have stepped up for democracy (by Blanca Stephanie Elvir)
Reflecting on 25 years of seeking justice together (by Jo Ann Van Engen)
From the Executive Director
What does paused international aid mean for ASJ?
Something Worth Waiting For
Will you walk with us for a more just society?
The beauty of doing justice in community
