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El Hogar Ministries eNewsletter
Special Edition - Update on Political Situation
July 27, 2009 |
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Introduction
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We are continuing to send updates as new information becomes available.
Thank you for your concern for El Hogar and Honduras. | |
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| July 27, 2009 |
We are now beginning our fifth week of political turmoil. I am happy to report that El Hogar continues to function, giving our children and teenagers a safe haven, an education, and a chance for a good future.
The supporters of the deposed president had promised to "shut down" the country last Thursday and Friday with a general strike, as Zelaya made his own preparations to return to Honduras. At El Hogar, considering the potential violence, and the impassibility of the roads, we made our own contingency plans. As it turned out, the "general strike" was not all that general. Most people still went about their normal business. The teachers, once again, refused to give classes, further disrupting an educational system that is considered the worst in Central America. Supporters of Zelaya managed to shut down the hospital for the poor here in Tegucigalpa, as well as the other hospital for people who qualify for government health care through their work. (Somehow, to me, it makes little sense for a movement claiming to be on the side of the poor to strike a "blow" to the present government by denying health care to the poor for two days.) There were threats to shut off the electricity, and the TV station that is most supportive of Zelaya even ran announcements that it would be off the air because of cutting off of power, but, fortunately, that never happened. Major roadways, however, were blocked for hours.
On Friday Zelaya, who had asked his followers to gather at the Nicaraguan border, briefly made an appearance on Honduran soil. He gave a short speech, then went back to Nicaragua. He apparently was hoping to have thousands of supporters greet him and escort him into the city, but only a few hundred followers and an equal number of journalists were there. The military had set up roadblocks to keep people away, and far fewer made the journey than he anticipated.
He announced that he was setting up a camp on the border, where there would be tents and water and food, and put out a call for his supporters to join him. Those who did respond to that call have found that they are without any of those things, stranded without shelter or food. Zelaya has now set up headquarters in a little town in Nicaragua, and is "planning" his next move.
Sadly, there were some confrontations between the military and supporters of Zelaya. A few injuries were reported by the Red Cross. Also, the body of a young man who had been tortured was found in a field close to where the confrontation had taken place. Demonstrators claim this was the work of the police, who say that they had nothing to do with it. It is hard to tell, in a country where there are so many murders of young males, who was behind this. At the funeral yesterday, the crowd gathered for the burial spotted two police officers, chased and beat them, and burned their car.
This situation is putting strain on both the military and the police. Individual members of both forces hold a variety of political opinions, and there is some internal division about the role they are now playing. The military issued a rare public policy statement this weekend, saying expressly that they were in favor of talks continuing in order to resolve the present crisis. It is clear that they do not want to be perceived as an oppressive force, but rather as servants of the civilian government.
A word, BTW, about protests in Honduras. The right to protest against the government is one that is highly valued here, even above what we practice in the U.S. For instance, although people get angry and inconvenienced, no one argues that it is not the right of the protesters to block major highways, or even to shut down the hospital. Perhaps coming from a history in which governments were imposed by force, they have decided to allow the people to have the right to resist the government in whatever way they choose, short of violence. I have been amazed at the tolerance of the police and army. There was a "marathon" vigil to rally support for Zelaya, held on Blvd. Morazon, one of the major city roads. For two days the army steered traffic away from the demonstration and provided protection for those who were gathered there.
Here in Tegucigalpa life seems in many ways very normal, but the tension under the surface is real. I talked to one of our teachers on Saturday who spoke of having nightmares. Others are worried that a civil war will break out. Others are very frustrated that, as they see it, the ambitions of politicians are causing ordinary people to lose income and peace of mind. Others are convinced that Zelaya offered a chance to break out of the patterns that have kept this country poor for so long. Others are seeing this as Honduras's maturing as a democracy, standing up to the kind of political manipulation that Chavez represents for them. But for most people I have talked with, the situation has worn them down emotionally, and for many, it has also had an effect financially.
Last night there was a soccer game here in Tegucigalpa between the two best-known teams. The game ended in a tie, but as the crowd began to disperse, a group of "fans" stood up and began firing weapons at fans of the opposing team. Before it was over, there were at least two deaths, and around fifteen people injured. This was a horrible incident, but I think it shows the level of tension and frustration simmering below the surface here.
We are trying to make sure our young people understand what is going on in their country, and using the situation to teach about the constitution and the form of government, but most of our younger children are blissfully unaware of what is happening. When I stopped by the other day, some of the girls had turned the outdoor grill into their little house, and set up rooms underneath it, and were talking and arguing among themselves with great animation. Six little boys were on the three see-saws, bobbing up and down, and tossing a small stuffed animal from one person to another as they moved, adding an extra challenge to their activity! Two of our boys were tutoring some parents, helping them learn to read. Some other boys were gathered around one of the teachers, watching a news report of current events, and expressing their own opinions. And, of course, there were at least two soccer games taking place in intersecting parts of the campus. In short, they were kids being kids, which is what we desire for them.
Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to hope and wait for a peaceful and just resolution of this crisis.
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| July 22, 2009 |
At our staff meeting yesterday, the directors were joking that last week there were only three educational institutions open in all of Honduras; El Hogar, St. Mary's Institute, and the Agricultural School. It is not so far from the truth. The teachers' unions here in Honduras have devoted themselves in the past few weeks to demonstrating on behalf of the deposed president, and have provided much of the person-power for those demonstrations. Many people here feel that it is one thing to strike for better pay or educational conditions, but a very different thing to strike in order to press a political position. They feel that the children and young people of Honduras have been used as pawns in a political power struggle. Our teachers have shown their dedication and resourcefulness in the last few weeks, consistently showing up and providing an education for our students. I have talked with some of them, and their political opinions cover the full range, but whatever their individual views, they are following through on their commitment to our children and young people.
This week, for the first time, we are suspending some classes. The Institute is located off of one of the main roads in Honduras, and that road has been shut down repeatedly by demonstrators. Those organizing for the return of Zelaya have announced a general strike and a shutdown of the country for Thursday and Friday this week. We decided together that we do not want to put either teachers or young people at risk by trying to get them to the Institute those days. This afternoon, when classes have finished, those students who live close by will go to their homes for the weekend. Those who live far away will stay at the Institute with a skeleton staff. A few who have nowhere to go will come and stay at El Hogar. At El Hogar, the teachers that need to travel are being invited to temporarily move into the volunteer house, so they do not have to be out on the streets. Classes there will continue as normal. We are still in discussion about the best course for the Agricultural School. They are more isolated, and the teachers stay there anyway, so it is not as much of an issue. But we do not want anyone having to travel during this time.
It is hard to say what the next few days will bring. The general strike and shut down which has been announced is of concern. I have heard from a few people to avoid going out on the streets during such a strike, as the potential for violence is real. This is especially so if, in fact, outside agitators have been brought in to provoke confrontations. So far, the military and police have been remarkable restrained in their responses to protests. I have seen them circulating through the crowds, greeting people, smiling, and enjoying snacks they bought from the local vendors. One thing that Hondurans are clear about is the right to peaceful protest, and this present government, although under great pressure from within and without, has pledged to preserve that right. (This is in contrast to what Zelaya continues to tell the world - that there s currently a repressive bloodbath going on in Honduras.)
There are conflicting reports about whether negotiations are on or off, whether Zelaya is returning today or Friday or once there is a settlement, and about almost everything else. Lots of posturing is taking place by both sides. I think the one certainty is that there is a lot of talking going on behind the scenes. Late last night the current government approved a budget (something never produced by Zelaya), which I take as a good sign. I think Zelaya will be eventually returned to office, but under constraints, such as having to conform to the budget which has been approved.
Zelaya continues to indulge in colorful rants. He claimed yesterday that he would return today, by a route he would not divulge. He said, "Only God can stop me now, and he will not, because He is not on the side of the coup mongers! God is on my side, and my return will be spectacular!" He is also claiming that the full sized statue of himself, and the twice-life-sized oil portrait, were not his doing, but were gifts. There was an interview with the artist who did both, who affirmed that Zelaya was, in fact, the one who commissioned both works, but that he still owed money on both.
Humor is starting to catch up with this situation. One email is a proposed farewell tribute, thanking Zelaya for what he has accomplished. It mentions, among other things, that before him most Hondurans had never read the Constitution, and now they have. It also thanks him for bringing together, for the first time, the Roman Catholic and Evangelical churches, who put out a joint statement in opposition to his policies.
After our staff meeting we stopped by some of the El Hogar classes. The Prep students were working on learning mechanical drawing as a way to teach angles. Jose Arturo had his English class learning to tell time. Another teacher had her spelling classes out on the sidewalk, divided into teams, writing the words she called out with sidewalk chalk. Also, yesterday was the birthday of Dona Tona, who has been the cook at El Hogar for 30 years. We took her out for some good Chinese food.
Please cherish, and do not take for granted, the peace you enjoy in the US and Canada! And keep us in your prayers.
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Sincerely,
Rev. Rich Kunz
Executive Director, Honduras | |
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