Tragedy Strikes a Microfinance Entrepreneur
Our beloved Roxana suffers the ultimate nightmare - A murdered son
He was her pride and joy. A 16 year old who was full of hope and possibility. A good boy who avoided the allure and potential riches promised by gangs and their drug trade. Unfortunately, it was Brian’s refusal to join a local gang that cost him his life. Last Wednesday, a local gang near Tegucigalpa murdered Brian, most likely as a message to other boys that would dare to ignore the ever-present gang overtures. Brian’s mother, Roxana, happens to be a successful CareLink microbusiness owner.
While I don’t normally speak of the violence and danger associated with our work in Honduras, this incident has hit so close to home that it simply must be mentioned. My usual upbeat attitude has taken a bit of a hit this week.
Roxana, naturally, is devastated, and our local CareLink staff has surrounded her with love and support. She has pledged to carry on, and will continue operating her used clothing shop despite the inherent dangers.
Brian’s murder, although shocking, is far from uncommon. Drug trafficking, impunity, and corruption have created a perfect storm that qualifies Honduras as a murder capital of the world. Despite the fact that there have been some improvements in the last decade, these tough realities remain…
Young men in Honduras have a one in nine chance of being murdered in their lifetime.
A woman is the victim of a violent death every 18 hours
Honduras has the highest youth homicide rate in the world- ten times that of the United States.
The bottom line: The people we serve are some of the most courageous, determined, and strong-willed individuals I have ever met. Everyday they endure the same challenges any small business owner would face, with the added stress and hardship of violence, fear, and uncertainty as a morbid back-drop. Our clients persevere in spite of the constant dread of wondering when the violence will visit their family. They are truly inspirational.
Brian’s tragedy makes us even more determined to do our best to provide the opportunities and hope these people so desperately need.
Will you partner with us to provide hope and security to our Microfinance entrepreneurs?
