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El Hogar Ministries eNewsletter
Special Edition - Update on Political Situation
September 24, 2009 |
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September 24, 2009
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Issue 29 | |
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| Introduction |
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We are continuing to send updates from Rich Kunz as new information becomes available.
Thank you for your concern for El Hogar and Honduras.
Liz Kinchen
Executive Director in NA | |
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| September 24, 2009 |
Things in Honduras continue to be very unpredictable and tense. The government extended the curfew into a second day, then relaxed it for five hours so that people could buy food and other necessities. This resulted, of course, in long lines at the stores, with crowds of nervous and hassled people. The curfew is assumed to be imposed again starting early this evening.
The Institute is still not able to offer normal classes, as all the teachers have to travel there from a distance, and the roads have been closed. There is a small skeleton staff which is organizing activities for the boys, feeding them, and making sure they are all safe. Lazaro was hoping to get there today during the lifting of the curfew.
El Hogar is holding classes as usual, but it was not an easy night. In the evening, a group outside El Hogar gathered in defiance of the curfew. Nominally, they were part of the "resistance", but Claudia said it was clear that they were gang members trying to take advantage of the situation. They threw stones, some of which came into El Hogar, and scuffled with police. There was tear gas fired, and some shots were heard. Inside the gates, the staff moved the cars away from the area closest to the street. Because of the disruption, Claudia was unable to get home, and spent the night at El Hogar, as did several of the staff. Our wall and gate escaped graffiti, but Dona Tona, who lives across the street, now has" Viva Mel" painted on her gates. Claudia organized everyone into four groups, and they took turns "on watch". Claudia learned today that many of the neighbors had come out of their homes to tell the demonstrators not to touch El Hogar. Nice to know that we are held in some regard by our closest neighbors.
The group eventually moved on past El Hogar and into the neighborhood called Pedregal, where they looted a grocery store, an appliance store, a cell phone store, and several other smaller business, blockaded the street, and lit small fires.
Things at the Agricultural School were quieter, but their travel is restricted, and many boys worry about what is happening with their families.
Zelaya has repeatedly asked to be able to talk with Micheletti, the current president. Micheletti has said he is willing to talk with Zelaya if he will commit himself to recognizing the results of the coming election. Zelaya has refused to do so. So, the stalemate which has existed for for almost three months still continues. Zelaya is isolated in the embassy of Brazil, and his next move is anyone's guess.
From what I can gather, Zelaya's approval rating has reached a new low. Most people seem to be ready to have the election and move on, hoping that eventually the rest of the world will recognize the results of that election.
Needless to say, the teachers who are at the core of the "resistance" have again suspended classes. There are many students who will not be able to pass on to the next grade because so much time has been lost. Even if provision is made for them to pass, it will be without learning much. Meanwhile, at all our sites, we are completing the school year as scheduled. That is no small accomplishment, and I give credit to an amazing staff, whose true character is being revealed in the middle of this crisis.
I received email from a friend who is traveling in a different part of Honduras. From what he says, most of the tension is localized in the cities, and especially in Tegucigalpa, the capital.
Please continue to keep the children and staff in your prayers.
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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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