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Solidarity Trip to Honduras – D&P with CCCM

Today we were in the community of Puerto Grande, on the island of Zacate Grande, in the southern coastal part of Honduras. The community was ready to meet us with a large circle of chairs in the shade of large trees (the temperature was over 35 degrees  - because of the climate this region is the desired playground of the rich).

Zacate Grande is a very beautiful region located between the gulf of Pacific ocean and the mountains. The vegetation is rich (bananas, corn, orange groves) but what is most appealing about this area is its breath taking view of the Pacific ocean. The people we met are part of a community of Hondurans that have been living there for a hundred years. They know the land and the land belongs to them.

A multi-million dollar entrepreneur has been putting pressure on the community to leave their land so that he can own it for his personal island and to sell as real estate. Pressure tactics range from showing up with an AK47, arresting young people who pick corn from the land that he has purchased, and arresting adults for resisting his oppressive tactics. He is a very wily and manipulative weasel.  There is a Honduran law that gives land rights to the people if they have lived ten years on the land, but this law is not being respected.

The youth of the community were there today to greet us and tell us about their experiences. They have built a radio station on some of this disputed land and are sharing their experience and raising the awareness of Hondurans to this situation. I could see how much pride they took in their work.  The youth really wanted to be at the radio station.  They loved it there and had made it their own, with hammocks up, news flash boards and even a soundproof room for programs. Their program runs from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm every day.

Of course, the multi-millionaire is trying to get them off this disputed land because it would make a prime lot (right by the sea). The two reasons he is using is that they are not paying taxes for the land and that they are on the disputed land, regardless of their historical presence.

One young lady came over to see us delegates from Development and Peace. When I asked her if she would like to work someday in the radio station, her eyes lit up…”Yes” she said with no hesitation. I guess this radio station is a ray of hope not only for the youth but for all members of the community.

Off to bed…tomorow we are off to the Canadian Embassy.

Kim Gottfried Piché