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THE PRISM


December 1998
January 1999

Stories Columns

COHAPAZ: Community Action in Honduras

by Nancy Jodaitis


Women from COHAPAZ Protesting Long before Hurricane Mitch ever hit Honduras, the Honduran Peace Action Committee (COHAPAZ) was organizing for peace, justice and better living conditions in the poorest barrios of Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela. Formed in 1984, el Comite Hondureno de Accion Por la Paz (COHAPAZ) first began working against the injustices brought about by having four armies on their soil (Honduran, North American, Salvadoran and Nicaraguan "Contras"), as the US used Honduras as a staging ground for their wars against the people of Central America.

What began as a small, organized group of people working for peace and justice has grown and now also addresses the problems of barrio families related to the lack of water and proper sanitary conditions, the high cost of living, health problems, and government "austerity" measures. Today COHAPAZ is organized in 17 poor neighborhoods with a total of 23 groups ranging in size from 15-120 people per group. Decisions are made collectively by a steering committee formed by a coordinator who is also responsible for sharing these decisions and knowledge with each of the members of the group. COHAPAZ is a small grass-roots organization, and all members give their time on a strictly volunteer basis. Its strengths lie in the fact that the very people who make the decisions are also those who are called on to give their time and directly benefit from their efforts.

While in recent years COHAPAZ has expanded its focus to the barrios (poor communities), it has never given up its political and solidarity efforts. Each year huge demonstrations are organized, calling for children's right to an education, basic food stuffs, and a life free of abuse. Members also participate in large numbers in efforts to end violence against women, ensure human rights for all, and end the corruption and abuses of power by the government and military. COHAPAZ also continues to be very active against the US military presence and against policies which adversely affect the Honduran population. This year alone, a number of vigils have been held at the US embassy to call for better treatment of "illegal immigrants" and for an end of US economic sanctions, and in protest of the execution of a Honduran citizen in the United States who did not receive due process. In addition, a demonstration at the US military base was organized, calling for the closing of the School of the Americas, an end to military occupation of Honduran soil, and the recall of 4,000 additional military troops sent to indigenous regions of this country. Solidarity with the indigenous people of Honduras has also been a focus of COHAPAZ. From the first indigenous pilgrimage to the capital five years ago to their most recent mobilization this past Columbus Day, COHAPAZ has held vigils, collected food and clothing, and applied pressure to the government to address the demands of the indigenous people for native land rights, basic human services, and for investigations into the assassinations of indigenous leaders.

In the barrios, COHAPAZ efforts are focused on educational workshops covering health, natural medicines, nutrition, women's rights, handicrafts, and massage, among others. There are also classes organized in various communities to teach women how to read and write, sew and tailor, and bake. Additionally, recent efforts have included programs which combine educational efforts with community projects. The "Land and Health" project is one in which women have been trained in family and community organic gardening techniques. In the past three years over three hundred gardens have been planted and harvested numerous times. As the women readily report, the gardens have been of great benefit in various ways; providing gardening knowledge, an ability to harvest fresh vegetables without chemicals, improved nutrition, and saved time and money. Another project that has been very helpful is the "Healthy and Clean Air" project which works to replace open fire-cook stoves with adobe stoves that use a chimney to bring the smoke out of the house, conserving wood and providing an oven. Women receiving the new stove report fewer respiratory illnesses and cleaner houses and dishes (no soot!) and confirm savings in wood usage. The "Clean Water" project combines an educational workshop on water-borne diseases with materials to build a water container. Since many of the barrios have no running water and have to buy it from trucks that pass by every one or two weeks, the ability to store water in a hygienic way is of utmost importance. Most recently, COHAPAZ has been active in dental hygiene promotion, using puppets and educational materials with both mothers and children to emphasize the importance of good dental hygiene. (We were fortunate enough to receive a contribution of over 3,000 toothbrushes!!)

As you can tell from all of our activities, the Honduran Peace Action Committee (COHAPAZ) could probably be summed up in two words: Peace and Action! Since Hurricane Mitch has hit Tegucigalpa, our main focus has been dealing with the most pressing problems such as lack of food and water, the need for an organized plan to rehouse the homeless, providing activities for children in the shelters, and beginning the important work of rebuilding the communities. But we long for the day when we can return our energy to the activities that have helped us grow in many different ways. Thank you for your solidarity with our efforts!

For more information on COHAPAZ or to make a donation, contact Nancy Jodaitis at cohapaz@sdnhon.org.hn, or call Bess Sadler at 919-933-5491.

 

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