Refugee family gives back

You’ve probably seen the pictures of desperate people trying to flee the poverty and violence in Honduras. The Lopez family in Hamilton escaped the deplorable conditions nearly 20 years ago — after their husband and father was killed. Now, they want to give back to the community that gave them a future.

These are the faces of desperation. children wading across rivers. Riding on top of trains just to escape the crime and corruption and poverty in Central America.

Lynn Hannigan, Casa El Norte: “Family members. Children are kidnapped and disappear. It’s very common.”

Lynn Hannigan is the Director of the refugee safe house in Fort Erie.

Antonia Irias fled Honduras last year after gangs tried to shake down her husband, and their friend was killed trying to help them: “He was kidnapped and murdered. Police are trying to investigate what happened. We still don’t have any news of what really happened to him.”

Nora Lopez’s husband Jose Eduardo disappeared in Honduras: “He was abducted on Christmas Eve 1984 and we never saw him again, but we know he was murdered.”

Jose Eduardo was a journalist and human rights activist. He spoke out about the corruption and poverty and lack of educational opportunities.

Nora Melora Lopez is Jose’s wife: “Eduardo believed that education was very important to get people out of poverty. Journalists are still being killed in Honduras for shedding light on the poverty and corruption.”

Nora fled Honduras in 1985 after she was shot at for speaking out against the government. She and her three young children settled in Hamilton: “My father, although he died. If it wasn’t for his death we would not be here.”

For the past five years the family has been giving back to Latino youth. They say 35 percent of Latinos drop out of school because they can’t afford it. The family started the
Jose Eduardo Lopez Memorial Scholarship Fund to help young people with the cost of college and university. The latest fundraising event is on Saturday at St. Stephen on
the Mount Church Hall.

Osiris Lopez-Chavez, Jose’s daughter: “This is a beautiful way of having his legacy live on. We’re thinking globally, but acting locally. With Latino youth here in Hamilton.”

Back in 1985 in Honduras, the Lopez family couldn’t envision a life of freedom and opportunity. They’ve lost their husband and father, but have given back so much in his name.

If you would like know more about the Jose Lopez Scholarship Fundraising Event, click on the link.