An 80% decrease in homicides in a Tegucigalpa neighborhood? It seems impossible in the country with the highest murder rate in the world, but it’s true, thanks to the work of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, formerly known as AJS). ASJ’ lawyers, investigators, and psychologists build bridges of trust between community members and justice authorities. Community members trust that our staff will find honest police officers and public prosecutors who won’t be bribed by criminals. Police and public prosecutors are confident that ASJ staff will help them find the evidence needed to keep the people they arrest in jail.
ASJ Expands To One Of The World’s Most Violent Cities
October 30, 2013
Last week, ASJ officially launched this same project in the Northern Honduran city of San Pedro Sula. We talked with ASJ coordinator Carlos Gomez, a former police detective himself, about the expansion:
ASJ: Why did you think it would be a good idea to expand the project to San Pedro Sula?
CG: For the last 6 years, ASJ’s methodology has worked in communities in Tegucigalpa, bringing peace and security into homes and neighborhoods. But, we saw that violence was continuing in other parts of the country. We wondered if our methodology could be successful in other vulnerable neighborhoods.
ASJ: And why did you choose San Pedro Sula? It has one of the highest murder rates in the world at 193 per 100,000 people.
CG: Well, like I said, we wanted to try the methodology out in a different context to see if it would work, and what’s a better test than trying it in one of the most violent neighborhoods in one of the most violent cities in the world? If it will work there, it will work anywhere!
ASJ: Tell us about last week’s project launch.
CG: After months of negotiations with authorities and donors we were finally able to launch the program last week. Both private business people and public officials from the police and the Attorney General’s office were there. We’re impressed by their level of support for our work!
ASJ: What are the next steps for the project? How will you get started?
CG: We have hired two investigators, a lawyer, and a psychologist. Their next steps will be to build relationships with collaborators in the neighborhood who can help us map out where crime is happening. Then we’ll take on specific cases and work with community members to get justice.
ASJ: Why do you think this work is important?
CG: This work is definitely risky, but it’s worth it. As citizens, we have to help the government make the justice system work.
Please pray for ASJ staff as they continue to seek justice for the most vulnerable around Honduras!
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
