July 20, 2008 - Copan, Honduras

"If you visit Honduras and just drive along the main highway, you might think Honduras is a rich country. The road is all smooth and paved, and the people who live alongside the highway look pretty well off."
- Elvia Alvarado

As part of the assigned college syllabus, we're required to read Don't Be Afraid Gringo, A Honduras Woman Speaks from the Heart - The Story of Elvia Alvarado , translated and edited by Medea Benjamin. Elvia is a native campesina (peasant) activists helping lead the fight for native people's right to farm their native land. Although the book was published in 1987, many of the issues remain relevant today.

Fun Facts:
+ Honduras is poorest country in Central America and second poorest in the Western Hemisphere.
+ Majority of Honduran farming land is owned by 2 U.S. companies - Chiquita Bananas & Dole Fruit
+ There are 3.5 million employable Honduran people. The fruit companies employ less than 135,000. Most the work is done by marchines.
+ Most Hondurans live on less than $2 U.S. a day.
+ Asian owned sweatshops litter the cities.
+ The Honduran Military is ever present for constant look out for contras.
+ There are at least 15 U.S. Military establishments in Honduras.
+ The U.S. Government is the primary funder of the Honduran Military.