April 27, 2023
We bring you a special series, “Why We Call It Home.” While ASJ's office is in the capital city of Tegucigalpa, our 70 staff—lawyers, social workers, policy analysts, researchers, accountants, IT specialists—come from all across Honduras. Their knowledge of and love for their communities fuels their determination to bravely work for justice. ASJ staff live out the expression, "perfect love" drives out fear." Because they want safe communities, they launch initiatives to prevent violence and improve court systems. Because they want their children's schools free from corruption, they campaign for a stronger public education system.
We asked three staff members, Claudia, Hillary, and Winnie, to share what makes their hometowns special. As you get to know their communities, we invite you to join in their hope for a future where everyone experiences peace and justice at home.
Winnie Gonzales serves as the coordinator of ASJ's Active Citizenship project, where she organizes initiatives for any Honduran to participate in repairing injustices.
Winnie uses her skills in project management, human rights, and finances to help communities advocate for justice, a desire that was influenced by her family's beach hometown of Santa Rosa de Aguán.
The people of my community are very hard-working and united; we are kind, empathetic, sensitive and tenacious. Although Hurricane Mitch in 1998 marked a “before” and “after” in the community, Santa Rosa de Aguán has moved forward thanks to its residents who fight daily for the common good and for the community's development.
My family is Garifuna (a Central American Afro-indigenous group). On April 12, 1797, the first Garifunas arrived by boat to what is now Punta Gorda, Honduras, after leaving the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. As time went by, they established 47 different communities—including Santa Rosa de Aguán—along Honduras' northern coast.
The Garifuna people are one of seven recognized indigenous groups in Honduras and our customs are markedly different from the other groups. Our music and gastronomy are part of our contributions to the Honduras' multiethnic and multicultural identity.
For years, both sides of my family have traditionally fished and cultivated banana, yuca, sweet potato, rice, and corn crops. Without a doubt, my ancestors, grandparents, and parents’ daily dedication positively impacted my life and my search for personal and professional progress.
My favorite place is the beach, but I also remember going fishing and feeding the baby animals. Most of all, I remember the estuary where the Aguán river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Watching the whirlpools that form when saltwater and freshwater currents meet, along with the sunset, created a magical moment.
The Garifuna community is geographically located on Honduras’ North Coast, an area of great natural beauty and wealth. This location has been and continues to be a source of conflict between the community, the government, and private enterprise. The community faces issues of its community land title being ignored, encroaching settlements, and environmental exploitation, among others. Projects are often authorized and implemented without the knowledge of, or at least socialization with, Garifuna communities.
I am convinced the way to positively impact my community and country is to strengthen the capacities of my Garifuna brothers and sisters and other indigenous groups so that they are empowered and equipped to demand that the government respect human rights.
A community engagement project organized by Winnie's team
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ASJ (formerly known as AJS) changed our name in 2021 to reflect our partnership with Honduras and our Honduran roots. Learn more.
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