One afternoon Marta* arrived at a Gideon Center—a legal aid and psychological counseling clinic supported by ASJ (formerly known as AJS)— distraught because she hadn’t seen her three-year-old son, Emilio, in months. After an argument Emilio’s father, Alonso had taken the boy away to live him and his ailing mother. Whenever Marta tried to visit her son, Alonso refused to let her in the house and even threatened to kill her if she took him to court.
A Mother And Son, Reunited
October 28, 2015
Marta, who has few financial resources and no family in the area, tearfully explained her situation to a neighbor. The neighbor had benefitted from both the legal and counseling services provided at the Gideon Center in their neighborhood and encouraged Marta to seek help there. Marta, who didn’t even dream of affording a private lawyer, had one at her service just days later: she’d gone to the Gideon Center, paid a symbolic fee equal to about one U.S. dollar, and been welcomed into the staff lawyer’s office.
According to Jenny, the lawyer, the “easiest way” to resolve the situation would have been to press charges in court, demanding that police remove Emilio from his grandmother’s home. But Jenny and her colleagues at the Gideon Center do not take the easy way out; they make every effort to mediate agreements that are positive for everyone involved. After hearing Marta’s story, Jenny asked Alonso to come talk with her about the case.
A week later Alonso showed up for his appointment, and Jenny explained that his infirm mother was not the right person to care for little Emilio. They also talked about how traumatic it would be for Emilio and his grandmother to go through a forcible removal. The point hit home. Alonso agreed to take Emilio to the Gideon Center the following week for further mediation. And at that, Alonso and Marta agreed that Emilio would live with Marta, and Alonso would pay 1,500 Lempiras (about $80) in monthly child support.
Now both parents understand their rights and responsibilities—which, as Jenny says, is one of the Gideon Center’s main goals: “We seek to raise awareness among the beneficiaries that they need to respect the law and that there are laws that protect them.”
While the custody conflict has been sorted out, its emotional toll on little Emilio is still felt. The toddler “has been manipulated and has been through many family conflicts,” says Jenny. Counselors from the Gideon Center are helping Emilio and Marta work through that, too, so that together they can understand how to manage Emilio’s behavior and heal his emotional wounds.
Choosing defiant hope over fear.
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?
