September 2009

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REPRESSION IN HONDURAS

September 22, 2009 in Articles by linda

Horizons of Friendship Deeply Concerned over Repression in Honduras; Calls on Canadian Government to Take Concerted Action to Avoid Further Bloodshed

September 22, 2009, Cobourg – Horizons of Friendship is profoundly concerned over recent developments in the Republic of Honduras. On September 21, 2009 Honduran President José Manuel Zelaya returned secretly to the country after 86 days in exile following a June 28^th coup d’état that forced him from power.

Since learning of President Zelaya’s return to the country, the coup regime has imposed a curfew, cut electric power, censored media coverage, and sent thousands of heavily armed police and military to repress the peaceful demonstrations that have emerged spontaneously in many parts of the country. In the capital Tegucigalpa — where President Zelaya has been provided refuge in the Embassy of Brazil – military units have fired on unarmed civilians and launched tear gas canisters and pepper spray. Hundreds of citizens have been taken away to makeshift detention centres next to the National Stadium and an undetermined number of people have been wounded.

“The images of ordinary Honduran citizens being brutally assaulted by the military and hauled off to special detention centres for the sole ‘crime’ of defending their constitutionally-elected President is heart rending” states Horizons’ Executive Director Patricia Rebolledo. “As a Chilean-Canadian who witnessed first hand the horrors of a military coup, I am fully aware that military detention centres have been used to torture and kill innocent citizens. We are witnesses and we cannot remain silent.”

Horizons has maintained close contact with its partner organizations in Honduras since the June coup d’état and has established a special emergency fund to respond to specific needs. “Many of our partners are small community-based organizations that viewed President Zelaya’s policies as making a real difference in improving living conditions for the country’s poorest sectors” according to Horizons’ Mesoamerica Program Coordinator Bill Fairbairn. “They saw the President’s return as a sign of hope for a return to democracy and respect for human rights. But the harsh response of the coup regime has instilled a climate of fear throughout the population.”

Horizons reiterates its urgent call to the Canadian government to use all the leverage at its disposal to ensure that the democratic order, respect for human rights and the rule of law are restored in Honduras. The time to act is now!

Background: Horizons of Friendship is an international development organization founded in 1973 in Cobourg Ontario and is the only Canadian development organization with an exclusive focus on the region of Central America and Mexico. Horizons’ work, supported by CIDA since 1975, grew out of the deep concern of a small group of Canadian citizens living in Cobourg who had spent time in Honduras and, upon returning to Canada, began supporting community development initiatives in that country. In the past several months, Horizons has led two educational tours of Canadians to Honduras.

Despite the overwhelming international response repudiating the coup, and international efforts aimed at finding a political solution, the de facto regime, headed by Roberto Micheletti, has refused to cede power and allow President Zelaya to resume his term in office which, according to the Constitution of Honduras, will end in January 2010.

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For more information, please call Bill Fairbairn, Mesoamerica Program Coordinator, Horizons of Friendship, 905-372-5483 extension 21.

EMERGENCY FUND FOR HONDURAS

September 22, 2009 in Articles by linda

JULY 2009

Horizons of Friendship has joined its voice to those of its partners in Honduras and many other sister organizations in deploring the June 28^th military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Manuel Zelaya. Since the day of the coup, Horizons has maintained close communication with partners in Honduras: organizations that represent diverse sectors of the Honduran population including Garifuna communities on the Atlantic coast, rural women, small-scale farmers, and repatriated migrants and families of migrants throughout the country.

In response to the disturbing events in Honduras, Horizons has established a special fund to channel emergency assistance to partners in Honduras. The funds will be used to respond to specific needs of Honduran organizations including food and shelter, transportation and communication, urgent action outreach and legal defence.

TO CONTRIBUTE TO HORIZONS’ EMERGENCY FUND FOR HONDURAS: You may make a contribution on Horizons’ website (www.horizons.ca), by telephone (with a credit card), or by mailing your cheque to the following address, indicating it is for the Honduras Emergency Fund:

Horizons of Friendship
50 Covert Street,
P.O. Box 402,
Cobourg ON K9A 4L1
Canada

Phone: (905) 372-5483 ext 10
Fax: (905) 372-7095
Toll-Free: (888) 729-9928
Registered Charitable #11896 3461 RR0001

Special Film Screening: Sin Nombre

September 18, 2009 in Events by community

“Without a Name”

“A film of heartbreaking sadness but also one of joy and redemption, and one of the best so far of 2009”

November 1^st, 2009

Northumberland Mall Theatres

4:00 PM

Tickets: $8 each and available

from 3 – 4 p.m. at the Mall “booth” at the foot of the escalator

Cary Fukunaga’s Sin Nombre premiered in Dramatic Competition at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the U.S. Dramatic Directing Award and also the U.S. Dramatic Excellence in Cinematography Award. As mentioned at Horizons of Friendship Latin Summer Film Festival screening of Which Way Home this past August, the recently-released Sin Nombre speaks to the same theme of child migration, but in a fictional plot involving love, gang violence and friendship. To view the trailer on You Tube, click here.

Horizons of Friendship is proud to be partnering with Northumberland Film Sundays in order to bring this critically acclaimed film to the big screen and to the Northumberland community. Proceeds from this film will support Horizons of Friendship’s work in Central America and Mexico.

Migration, Gang Membership and Poverty in Central America

“Youth are not born violent; they become so in violent contexts” (Salvadoran youth educator).

Social violence is clearly related to high levels of poverty and inadequate social programs. Youth involvement in gang membership is on the rise throughout Central America and Mexico, with up to 30,000 gang members active in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Gangs are involved in drug trafficking and consumption, while unemployment rates are staggeringly high and rural families rely on subsistence farming.

During the past five years, emigration figures for Central Americans who head to the United States have fluctuated between 20% and 40% of the populations in these countries. Migration is fueled by lack means to make a dignified living both in the rural and urban areas.

Horizons of Friendship works with local organizations throughout Central America and Mexico that implement grassroots community projects through income generation, agriculture, education and health projects that help families stay in their communities. Horizons of Friendship is also pursuing a regional project on migration to promote improved government policies to protect migrant rights and promote local development.

Visit http://www.northumberlandfilm.ca/to see all films being offered by Northumberland Film Sundays and to view film trailers.

Letter from Kingston Central America Solidarity Committee

September 11, 2009 in Articles by linda

Letter sent by the Kingston Central America Solidarity Committee on the Wolfe Island Fundraising event with funds sent to Horizons project with AMIGAS in Guatemala.

Link to the Whig Standard article

http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1732693

Finance/Administrative Coordinator job posting

September 2, 2009 in job postings by linda

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Finance /Administrative Coordinator

Reporting Relationships:

Reports to: Executive Director
Supervises: Contract Bookkeeper, Thrift Shop staff.
- Liaises with: Administration, Thrif Shop, Fundraising, Mesoamerican and Community Outreach team, Board of Directors.
Location: Cobourg, Ontario.
Probationary Period: 6 months.
- Term: 4 days per week, staff position, two-year contract, renewable upon successful completion.
- Salary: Salary range $33,600 – $40,000 commensurate with experience (plus benefit package).
Starting date: January 2010

INTRODUCTION

Horizons of Friendship is a Canadian non-profit, international development agency committed to eliminating the root causes of poverty and injustice through the cooperation of people from the South and the North.

Horizons of Friendship supports Central American and Mexican partner organizations that undertake local initiatives, which further this goal.

In Canada, we raise awareness on global issues and work with Canadian organizations at the local and national levels to bring about positive and lasting change.

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Finance/Administrative Coordinator is responsible for the overall financial, budget and cash flow monitoring and reporting for the organization and ensures the smooth and efficient running of the organizational support functions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance

Ensure that systems and reporting mechanisms are accurate, timely and efficient;
Be responsible for payroll and benefit administration;
Prepare monthly financial statements, budget comparisons and cash flow projections;
Act as resource person to all teams for budgets and financial reports; for Mesoamerican team, provide detailed breakdown of cost-shared program with CIDA;
Liaise with CIDA, particularly with regard to financial matters; including the preparation of yearly and quarterly financial reports to CIDA;
- Supervise and coordinate contract bookkeeper’s work;
- Assist with donations processing in the absence of the Administrative Assistant or during peak work times;
- Liase with Investor Advisor regarding investment decisions and funds transfer.
Report to Board of Directors on the financial status of the institution as required.

Administration

Ensure smooth and efficient running of all organizational support functions;
Ensure Administrative guidelines and manuals are complete and up- to- date and monitor their implementation;
Act as a resource person for the Executive Director on personnel and employment standards matters, including preparation of annual contracts, annual evaluation and other procedures;
Administer employee benefit plan;
Supervise Thrift Shop staff to ensure smooth running of shops and compliance with budgetary guidelines;
Coordinate logistics and financial implications of student placement program and share responsibilities for assisting during events;
With Administrative Assistant, jointly manage maintenance of property;
Act as a backup for minutes taking for board meetings.

Institutional Collaboration

Participate in monthly staff and administrative team meetings;
With Executive Director, plan and implement cycle of strategic planning, including annual planning and annual job reviews;
Participate in Board Committees as needed;
Develop familiarity with Board procedures;
Help meet Horizons’ objectives as expressed in its Statement of Purpose and Strategic Plans.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum three-years work experience in accounting, bookkeeping and office administration, preferably with a non-governmental organization;
Experience in modern office systems/procedures;
High level of competency in Simply Accounting and experience with computerized accounting in a Windows environment;
Ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements and reports;
Advanced computer skills in a network environment and with Windows XP, Word, Excel, and various internet tools;
Knowledge of not-for-profit accounting practices;
Superior English skills, both written and oral;
Accurate and detail-oriented with a high level of initiative;
Excellent team, interpersonal and communication skills;
Attitude and behaviour which show respect for different cultures;
Commitment and understanding of social justice and international development;
Eligible to work in Canada (permanent resident or Canadian citizen).

Cobourg is located approximately one hour east of Toronto, on the shore of Lake Ontario. A family community with a population of 18,000, it offers a beautiful sandy beach, quality educational opportunities and a host of recreational and cultural amenities.

Qualified candidates are invited to direct their applications to Patricia Rebolledo, Executive Director by February 26, 2010.

Applications may be sent by mail, email, or fax:

Horizons of Friendship

50 Covert Street, P. O. Box 402

Cobourg, ON K9A 4L1

E-mail: info@horizons.ca

Fax: 905-372-7095

We wish to thank all those who respond to this posting for their interest, but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

HORIZONS SUPPORTER JOINS INTERNATIONAL MISSION TO HONDURAS

September 1, 2009 in Articles by linda

On August 8, 2009 Horizons of Friendship’ supporter Helmut Enns, a retired teacher from Brighton, Ontario, traveled to Honduras to show his support for people of that country whose rights have been violated as a result of the June 28^th coup d’état that ousted President Manuel Zelaya. Helmut and his wife Janet took part in a Horizons of Friendship exposure tour this past February to Honduras – his first trip to the region. When the coup took place, Helmut felt compelled to return to show his solidarity. “Watching the news on TV”, Helmut told Horizons, “I have felt more and more like I was sitting in a lazy boy chair saying ‘Isn’t that awful! Too bad (or luckily) we can’t do anything about it!’ But I wasn’t left at peace with this attitude.”

Helmut made several inquiries and as a result decided to join an international “accompaniment” team organized by the US-based Quixote Centre. He will be in Honduras for ten days. “I believe I can be useful by being a Canadian presence, making life safer for those opposing the current powers. I believe I can be the eyes and ears, helping inform some small part of the world of the plight of those who, under Zelaya, saw a ray of hope which now is in danger of being extinguished.”

Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

The sun is no longer on the hills across the valley, on the far side of Tegucigalpa. The city looks quiet.

Here, at the gates of the Cobra Special Operations Base we wait. Human rights activists, a congressman, and distraught friends and family of the 26 people taken here from the march. A lady in a black business dress and high heels rushed here straight from work when she got the news that her 65 year old father was being detained. Another man’s 50 year old sister, an engineer, is inside.One of those rounded up is a 67 year old man.

I have an image in my head of a pack of wolves preying on the old, the weak, the stragglers, whoever is easiest or most convenient to round up, intimidate, beat, confine. I’m told that this round-up is in retaliation for the damages done yesterday. The bus burned, a fast-food restaurant torched, and window broken in chain restaurants like Burger King. Someone, anyone had to be punished.

But how did this all start? This morning, Shawn, Miguel, Pablo and I arrived at the University in time for the march to the Congress. It was an orderly, peaceful, group. The atmosphere seemed positive. We followed young lovers, arms around each other. Grandma chanting with her granddaughter. A father with his little rascal, so proud that his baby was with him to witness this historic event. Music blared from two large speakers, dwarfing the white VW bug carrying them. Garifuna drummers, vendors, flags, banners, and marshals, lots of marshals maintaining order.

When we were a few blocks from the congress, the army appeared. From now where, row upon row of plexi-glass shields, metal batons and guns descended on us. The crowd spread down the side streets, but the army was now behind and beside us. The largest crowd was now in a plaza, in front of a church. The forces stopped about 100 yards from us. Did the rock throwing or the tear gas come first? Volley after volley of tear gas landed in the crowd. But this was nothing new to them. Many bombs were thrown back towards the police. Others were doused with water. Luckily I had an extra bottle of water. Stay upwind. Breathe through a wet bandana, even if it’s not the Che one. Then the army advanced, and the crowd retreated. Rocks started flying back at the crowd, as well as tear gas. Ironically, right behind the army came the vendors, selling Eskimo pies. Shawn got a phone call ordering us back to the COFADEH office, about 10 blocks away. We headed back, taking one detour to get a picture of them back in formation, shields up, expressionless.

At the COFADEH office, reports were flooding in of arrests, beatings, murders. About 6 of our group accompanied the local official human rights workers to the Congress, where we heard about 20 young people had been beaten, and were being held. Military columns blocked all access, but Mary from COFADEH got us past one line, only to find there was another line ahead. There was no getting any further. Occasionally I caught a glimpse of bodies on the tile floor, totally surrounded by police and soldiers. Eventually a line of minimally clad young men were led out an exit far from us.

From there we enquired about wounded at a nearby hospital. We were not given any information, and no one was allowed in. This may have been a good thing. Sometimes the wrong people want access to the wounded, and this is not a good thing.

That almost completes the day, since I started at the end. It’s now 11:00. I started writing in my journal, using the hood a car as my desk, and finished back at the hotel, during the debriefing session, which was mainly in Spanish.

I was there as an observer. I don’t know anyone beaten or imprisoned. My children are safe. Soon I’ll fly back to Canada. Where I fight for democracy with a coffee in my hand, seated in a comfortable chair in front of the computer. Here justice, democracy, and a better life for your children takes on a whole new meaning. Could I pay that price?