Yessica Cáceres (left), first-year student, and Angie Carolina (right), second-year student, share their voices on civic engagement.
Civic engagement is about people coming together to build stronger communities. For many young people in Honduras, participating in civic life is both a responsibility and an opportunity. We spoke with two LMI students, Yessica Cáceres, a first-year student from Copán Ruinas, and Carolina from San Pedro Sula, about what civic engagement means to them and their vision for Honduras.
Why participate in your community?
Being involved is about making sure people aren’t left behind. “If the government isn’t helping their communities,” Carolina shared, “citizens can step up by giving food, clothing, water, whatever people need.”
This kind of support is not unusual in Honduras. In many small towns, people are family, both literally and metaphorically. Neighbors share food, labor, and whatever else is needed, because everyone understands they are in it together.
Education is also part of this community spirit. While the government may not always be on the front lines, students and graduates of LMI are. Each year they lead community projects, from tutoring children and teaching English to supporting schools that need extra help. In this way, LMI students are filling an important gap, showing how young people themselves can take on the responsibility of strengthening their communities.
The role of young people and hopes for change
Young people are essential to Honduras’ future. “We need to decide who is going to manage the country, and who can do it better,” Carolina explained. Their generation is not just a group of voters but potential leaders who can bring energy, ideas, and accountability.
When asked what they would like to see change through elections, both students pointed to the need for a complete renewal of leadership. They spoke about the challenges with corruption in the current government and emphasized the importance of bringing in younger leaders, more women, and people who are brave enough to act with bold ideas and a genuine desire to serve. Yessica stressed the importance of honesty and patience as qualities that will guide Honduras toward a stronger democracy and a more inclusive future.
Although Honduras currently has a female president, Xiomara Castro, women remain underrepresented in national politics. Only about 27 percent of members of Congress are women, and about 37 percent of ministerial-level positions are held by women, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the World Bank Gender Data. These students believe change must go further, opening space for younger leaders and women who can bring honesty, patience, and courage to public life.
As Honduras celebrates its independence, students are reflecting on the future they want to create, and LMI is walking with them as they grow into leaders of honesty, integrity, and vision.