Thank you for considering an upcoming Solidarity and Accompaniment delegation with the Honduras Accompaniment Project of the Quixote Center. The presence of internationals in the current context of the oppressive dictatorship in Honduras is essential right now.
However, a witness delegation is a serious undertaking and everyone considering participation in one should take the decision seriously. The Quixote Center invites you to utilize the following self-assessment as a tool in helping you discern if a delegation in this context is the most appropriate way for you to support the people of Honduras.
If you discern that attending a delegation right now is not the best choice for you or the Quixote Center, there are numerous other ways to support the movement. Please see our website for information.
Physical Considerations
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How is my physical health? Am I able to walk quickly or run if necessary?
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Do I have physical limitations or needs which might limit my ability to respond with flexibility to a given situation?
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What if I do not have agency over when I am to eat, rest, or use the restroom?
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Might my presence limit the delegation’s ability to play its role effectively?
Emotional/Psychological Considerations
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How do I respond to stress?
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How do I respond to those around me facing danger or violence?
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Am I willing to be vulnerable and engage in reflection processes during the delegation, to process my own experiences and support others in processing theirs?
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Do I have support systems in place to help me before, during, and after the experience?
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Do I have practices which ground me in the face of danger, struggle, violence?
Political Considerations
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What are my motivations for going?
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Do I understand both the potential and limitations of my role in the Honduran context?
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Am I going with the expectation of actively intervening to stop violence?
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Do I understand that it is not my place to be a protagonist in Honduran politics—for example, that I will be observing/accompanying marches and not participating in them?
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Am I willing to follow the direction of the Quixote Center delegation leaders and/or Hondurans in a given situation, even if it goes against my desire for a particular action in a given moment?
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Have I reflected on what might come up for me as a US American in the context of Honduras, given the complexity of the historical and current relationships between these two countries?
These are a few of the questions that you might ask yourself when considering a delegation with the Quixote Center. Your honest engagement in a discernment process will ensure a decision that fosters your own participation in the movement as well as safeguards the work of the Quixote Center in the post-coup context.
We thank you so much for all your efforts so far and look forward to continuing to work together to support the Honduran people’s movement.