Children’s Day: Hopes for the Future of Honduras
Happy Children’s Day! All this week, celebrations packed with games, gifts, and piñatas swinging from trees can be found at parks, schools, and homes throughout the country.
In honor of Children’s Day, several members of our staff shared with me their greatest wishes for the future of Honduran youth. The responses reflected our belief that the youth of today will be the ones to shape Honduras. The greatest gift we wish for these children is a promising future and a good life. A life of peace, success, and happiness.
“My wish is that they maintain an optimistic attitude and their happiness throughout the different stages and circumstances of their lives because they are the builders and guides for their own existence. It is in their hands to choose the good and the correct path, leaving behind that which doesn’t suit them. God bless them and give them the wisdom to make the decisions in their power.
“A future in which children no longer live in fear and aren’t forced to grow up too soon to take on adult responsibilities as a result of poverty or other social/economic issues.”
“Economic and academic opportunities that will prepare them to succeed in their lives :)”
“Opportunity, social justice and a peaceful environment.”
“1) They go to school. 2) There is someone they can count on. 3) They have a home or something like ‘Casa del Niño’ (a local children’s shelter) that provides them with education and health.”
“God bless them with much wisdom so that they can build a great nation.”
“Social well-being.”
“Family integration. A healthy environment free of violence. Education.”
“My greatest wish is that all the young people of Honduras have equal conditions for education; that they learn a lot so that they can thrivein life.”
“They study and prepare themselves.”
“Peace.”
Unfortunately, a future of success, equality and free of violence is not seen as a possibility for many young Hondurans. This has forced many children to leave the country for the promise of a better life elsewhere. Up to 90,000 children will have crossed into the US this year from Central America, notes PBS News Hour. How do we keep these kids at home, and give them hope for a future here?
Education is the key to allowing youth to achieve and overcome the struggles of poverty and insecurity that many of them face. Only 39% of Hondurans continue their education past primary school, as many must drop out due to opportunity costs of entering the workforce or the exhorbenant costs of uniforms, books, and supplies. With Adelante’s Education for Honduran Youth Campaign, we support the ambitions of young people to grow up in a world with opportunity and equality. We reached almost 350 Hondurans this year to continue their studies beyond primary school. In the coming years, we hope to reach many more children so that they can bring about positive change in Honduras.
Felicidades– cheers and well wishes to all of our children, as we celebrate them this week and encourage them to work towards flourishing futures.
