Support Girls Leading Change in Honduras

Dear Friends,

Amidst the continued coronavirus lockdown, our work continues and is more important than ever.

With support from our community, OYE has continued to provide monthy scholarship support to 60 adolescent girls and young women (and 45 boys and young men) to help cover their basic needs and support at-home learning during the pandemic. Each month, members of our staff distribute scholarship checks by neighborhood, providing an opportunity for quick and socially distanced face-to-face check-ins. While there have been reported and suspected COVID cases among our staff, scholars and their immedate family members, we are fortunate to share that there have been very few serious hospitalizations and no deaths so far.

There is still so much uncertainty about how and when this school year will come to a close. In the meantime, our young scholars and leaders receive ongoing support to keep up with their schoolwork, participate in workshops to promote their mental and physical health and continue to develop critical 21st century skills through virtual arts, media and sports workshops and sessions every week. Through an initaitive of the Girls' Voices Movement, over 20 of our adolescent girls are participating in a free online videography course alongside girls across the globe to build their digital storytelling skills and share their experiences in this unique and challenging time.

In other news, adolescent girls of "Las Niñas Lideran el Cambio" (Girls Leading Change) launched a social media campaign on World Sexual Health Day (September 4th) to continue their push for the passing of a local public policy on comprehensive sex education. In a short video, 15-year-old girl leader and advocate Mariela expresses that while it is understandable that local government priorities have shifted to respond to the the pandemic and needs of the population, problems like adolescent pregnancy do not stop and are on the rise. We stand with, support and encourage our adolescent girl leaders as they advocate for a local change that will equip their peers and young people in our community with the knowledge and tools to make healthy choices about their sexual and social relationships, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and recognize and defend themselves from sexual violence and abuse at home and out in the world.

As always, thank you for being a part of this community and supporting our work to educate and empower girls and young women in Honduras.

In appreciation,
Amanda

P.S. This summer we launched the Adelante Circle, a global community of monthly donors who believe in the transformative power of education. For those if you who are already monthly donors, thank you! For more information, I invite you to visit our website.