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El Hogar Ministries eNewsletter
Special Edition - Update on Political Situation
July 14, 2009 |
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Introduction
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This Special Edition of our eNewsletter is for delivering updates on the current political situation in Honduras, in the hopes of keeping you informed about Honduras and how the current crisis unfolds and impacts El Hogar.
To save on length of these emails, we are now sending only the most recent two articles written by Rev. Rich Kunz. These and and all the previous articles can be found on www.elhogar.org.
Note: if you are tired of receiving these updates and you opt-out of this service via the Unsubscribe option below, you will be opting out of all future eNewsletters unless you re-signup. If you don't want to read these but would like future eNewsletters, which we send about once per quarter, then it is better to just delete these. | |
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| July 14, 2009 |
Yesterday was blessedly peaceful. Yes, there was a demonstration that blocked a major highway for two hours, but long before this present political turmoil developed demonstrations like that were common. The number of people involved in demonstrations on both sides has fallen in the last few days. If Zelaya were to try to return again, I am sure that would change, but with talks scheduled, and both sides giving at least passing lip service to their importance, the passions are not as high.
The teachers' unions met yesterday, and at least the primary teachers are now returning to their classrooms, after a two week absence. That is a wonderful thing for children and parents, but it also takes thousands of former demonstrators off the streets.
Most people are back to their routines, but there is still a sense of uncertainty and worry. Zelaya, in a broadcast yesterday, said clearly that if the talks did not soon allow him to return to the presidency with no conditions, he would declare them null and void, and return his own way. He went on to call for insurrection if that were to happen. Micheletti continues to insist that a return to office by Zelaya is out of the question.
In the meantime, both sides are making their cases. Zelaya seems to be traveling the hemisphere pumping up support for himself. The present government is digging into the records and books trying to strengthen their case against him. The latest revelation is that there were 300 "ghost employees", for whom checks were written each month, but who did not actually have jobs.
El Hogar continues to function as usual. A group from one of the universities who study clinic biology came yesterday and gave a workshop to our little kids about things like germs and parasites. This college has offered to do our lab work for us without charge, in order to give their students experience in doing tests. The outreach projects in the rural communities surrounding the Agricultural School are looking very good, with nice, healthy crops. Exams are over at the Institute, and the next semester of classes has begun.
So it seems Honduras is in a holding pattern, waiting to see what will happen next. In the meantime, we continue to try to do our work here to the best of our abilities. Thanks again for your prayers!
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| July 13, 2009 |
Sunday was a pretty quiet day in Tegucigalpa. There was a demonstration in support of Zelaya held in the downtown area, but it drew only about 300 participants. The curfew has now been lifted, which will be a relief for restaurants, etc. We were able to have our first service for the English speaking congregation in three weeks. (All four of us!) Because of the uncertainty of travel, the boys from the Institute did not come to church in the morning.
Today demonstrations continue, and, from my apartment, I can hear one taking place at the teachers' college. The leaders of the movement supporting Zelaya have vowed not to let up their activities until Zelaya is restored to office. The teachers' union is meeting today to consider whether or not to resume classes. I finally got out for my dreamed-of ice cream cone (chocolate chocolate chip) , but found as we left that the soldiers had cordoned off the block, and had to wait for them to open the fence they had put up across the road.
At El Hogar Claudia held the mothers' meeting which had been canceled the week before, and explained our new approach to discipline. She is trying to institute a "logical consequences" approach with the children. (For instance, one boy who was found playing with a box of matches had to put up posters in each room warning of fire dangers.) Weekends are the times when children can go home for a short visit, or the relatives can come by El Hogar and visit there. It is always nice to see the children with their parent, or grandparent, or brothers and sisters.
I had a chance to talk with some embassy workers, who, although being appropriately discreet, indicated that there are people working behind the scenes to try to bring all of this to a peaceful conclusion. Honduran politics have been corrupt for a long time, and, as in the US, both sides have an investment in misrepresenting the other. But as of now, both sides seem willing to continue the process being led by Oscar Arias of Costa Rica. We are all hoping that with patience, Honduras can get through this present crisis as soon as possible.
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| Past Articles |
| To read past articles, please visit our website at: www.elhogar.org. | |
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Sincerely,
Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director, Honduras | |
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