It was an afternoon of jokes, laughter, and creativity – not unlike the weekly Impact Clubs that these children had been attending for the past three years. But this afternoon, twenty young teenagers were celebrating their graduation from the youth program, and their entrance into community programs for young adults.

ASJ (formerly known as AJS) works in four communities in Tegucigalpa where children are at particularly high risk of violence, gang recruitment, and dropping out of school. Weekly clubs are a stabilizing force in these children’s lives, offering them a safe place to play, trusted leaders to look up to, and teaching on values and responsibility that many of them carry with them into adulthood.

As part of the graduation ceremony, each child wrote one thing that they had learned on a paper leaf, then stuck it to a tree to symbolize ongoing growth. “Responsibility”, “solidarity”, “caring for others” the leaves read.

“They teach you values, they teach you love, friendship, coexistence, they teach you to respect your elders. And it’s fun! You get to socialize, instead of being in the street doing who knows what.”

Cesar has been part of the community projects for ten years, attending youth clubs, then serving as a volunteer and mentor. For the graduation ceremony, he participated in a community dance troupe performing to worship music.

“Any time they need us, here we are,” he laughed.

In a neighborhood where many parents worry about crime, gangs, or drugs influencing their children, Cesar stands out as an example. He graduated from high school, and has plans to continue studying and working. He volunteers in his church and in community service projects.

“The (impact club leaders) have been a part of my life for 10 years,” he said, “I am the person I am today thanks to them.”

“Children all should have a right to play,” she continued, “but here it’s almost not respected because at a young age children start to work.”



Linsey now studies radiology at the local university, and spends her evenings working at her church. She also says the clubs helped bring her to where she is today. “In addition to values, they teach you how to treat others,” she said.

Now graduated from high school, he hopes to one day become a doctor.

“I dream big things, giant things,” he says, “I study and work a lot, and the rest I leave in God’s hands.”