Hondurans Continue to Fight

Lately Honduras has been appearing a lot in the headlines. The political situation has been tense and volatile. At lunch the television is tuned to CNN (Español) and all heads are turned towards the scene unfolding. Mel Zelaya, the ousted President, is at the border of Nicaragua. The camera angle stays tight on Mr. Zelaya. Microphones and cameras jostle and supporters crowd in around him. He gestures grandly while speaking into his cell phone, and continues walking slowly forward until he reaches the border, where only a chain separates him from both his homeland and a wall of military personnel who have been given orders to arrest him upon his return. He crosses the chain, putting himself on Honduran soil for the first time in a month. The epic showdown unfolds, somehow a violent culmination is averted. He crosses back into Nicaragua, thanks his supporters and sits in his white Jeep, still glued to his cell phone. Looking out onto the busy scene of downtown La Ceiba shoppers dart in and out of stores, pedestrians hail taxis or wait on buses. Street vendors sell vegetables, fresh juice, churros and national soccer jerseys. Everything appears to be normal.

In spite of the continued concern for the political situation in Honduras, for the majority, life continues as usual. This is not to say that the public is unaware of the situation, most seem to be keeping up with the news as it evolves, but the country is not in a state of total upheaval as it may appear from the dramatic news coverage. Rather, there is quieter truth going on behind the scenes. It is a story that is less likely to be told, but one that speaks to the enduring strength of the Honduran people.

When asked about the current situation and what will happen, Hondurans responses vary, but when asked how it affects their own lives, the majority say with a shrug: "Seguimos en la lucha como siempre," "we continue to fight, like always."

Life in Honduras has never been easy. Political corruption, poverty and crime are hard realities that Hondurans face in their everyday lives. Perhaps it is for this reason that they have learned to continue to fight, like always. This strength of human spirit is appropriately in line with the Adelante Foundation. "Seguir adelante" means to keep moving forward, to progress. This is what the Honduran people are doing; fighting to move forward.