For years, ASJ (formerly known as AJS) has been equipping parents, grandparents, and students to stand up for change in their communities through social auditing. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen how these social auditors truly have become leaders for justice in their communities.

Social auditors like Keybi show up at local schools and health clinics to build stronger systems. They ensure that teachers are showing up at their children’s schools and doctors have critical medications on-hand for patients. This critical work not only addresses corruption at the local level, but it means that even those living in the most marginalized neighborhoods of Honduras have access to quality, affordable education and medical care.

As the COVID-19 pandemic hit Honduras this year, life for Hondurans completely changed – especially in the vulnerable neighborhoods where we work. Many community members lost their jobs, and the strict lockdown contributed to feelings of fear and uncertainty.

In the midst of uncertainty, though, our social auditors have stepped up to lead their communities through a time of crisis.

Our social auditors have become health ambassadors to their communities – sharing information about COVID-19 symptoms with their neighbors, educating them about how to protect themselves from COVID-19, and showing up at health centers to hold doctors and nurses accountable to best practices. In fact, many of those same neighbors have started coming to our social auditors when they receive substandard medical care, so that the social auditors are able to advocate for change.