Honduras is one of the most corrupt nations in the world according to Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index, with corruption levels worse than Egypt, Mexico, and Iran. ASJ (formerly known as AJS)-supported investigations confirm such claims, showing that thousands of teachers on the public school payrolls never set foot in the classroom and that officials restock the public hospitals’ medicine supplies at exorbitant prices, benefitting a few pharmaceutical companies at the rest of the population’s expense.
New Partnership Against Corruption
October 30, 2012
According to Carlos Hernández, Executive Secretary of Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa (ASJ),* often when Hondurans are victimized by corruption, “they don’t denounce it, because they are afraid or because they know that nothing will ever happen with their case.”
A new ASJ-supported project hopes to change that. ASJ is now the national chapter in Honduras for Transparency International (TI), a global civil society organization leading the fight against corruption. The relationship was made official during a press conference and agreement-signing ceremony last week. Andrés Hernández, TI Senior Program Coordinator in the Americas, traveled to Tegucigalpa from Bogotá, Colombia, to participate in the event. The goal of this new partnership, he said, is to “be critical about the problem of corruption, but also constructive, offering concrete solutions.”
New Anti-Corruption Center Launched
The two organizations have already launched a project to face the corruption experienced by Hondurans every day: ASJ has opened a new Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC), one of 50 centers around the world using methodologies developed by TI. A small staff of lawyers and assistants will document complaints of corruption, notify the proper authorities, and push them to take action in the cases.
Carlos Hernández notes that this is a perfect complement to the work of other anti-corruption projects already supported by ASJ, such as Revistazo.com, an online newspaper, and “Transform Honduras,” a Christian anti-corruption coalition.
According to Ludim Ayala, lawyer and coordinator of the ALAC in Honduras, the goal is to make government systems work so that Hondurans once again believe in their government. “Our hope is that people hear about the ALAC, denounce acts of corruption, and that the government responds effectively,” she said. She concluded with excitement: “We launched the center yesterday, and we already have received our first report of corruption! We hope that people will continue to denounce corruption and that the government will make changes.”
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?
