Gerson (right) with other Un Mundo mentors
For our third Partner Spotlight, we're shining the light on our partners in Honduras and speaking with Gerson Gonzales from Un Mundo!
Read on to learn about their year and how they're working to reach LitKids throughout the pandemic.
*Interview translated from Spanish.*
Q: Tell us about this year and how the pandemic has affected your community?
Gerson: In March, a radically different stage began for our generation. It was an emotional moment, and we have had to stay home as a preventive measure for the virus; a situation that has brought fear, distance, and reflection.
Programming was paralyzed in schools throughout the region and country. This definitively impacted the sessions that we normally carry out, since each session usually includes 10 or more children (which was strictly prohibited).
We needed to find an alternative to keep us close while distanced. That is how the United from Home initiative was born, which—through our supporters—helps us reach members at home through our programming.
Q: How have you been running LitWorld's programs this year?
Community mailbox for weekly LitClub guides
Gerson: We analyzed different strategies, taking into account the difficulties of access to technology, and concluded that the best way to run LitClubs would be through weekly guides including a topic, question, suggested reading, and activity. These guides are deposited into mailboxes around the community where LitKids can pick them up, complete them at home, and return them to the mailbox for mentors to collect.
Gerson distributing food to LitKids.
Q: What are the Strengths of your community?
Gerson: From my point of view, the strengths we have are: Kindness to people, making them feel at home; Friendship, as our community is very warm; Confidence, knowing that our unity will bring us success; and Hope, knowing that at the end of the road will be the result of our work.
Q: If you had to choose one, which of the 7 Strengths is closest to your community?
Gerson: If I had to choose one strength to characterize us, I believe the closest would be Friendship. Friendship for us is like a light that guides our walk and brings us closer as humans, making each act an act of love to help maintain that feeling of unity and community.