Honduras (MNN) ― The Inter-American Development Bank says Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with a poverty rate of 70 percent.
On January 1, Honduras raised the minimum monthly wage. It was a move intended to raise people out of poverty, but it has had the reverse effect.
President Manuel Zelaya announced the increase in the minimum monthly wage, from 157 to 289 dollars, or a roughly 60-percent hike.
It was an immediate controversy. The government increased the minimum wage by decree after it failed to bring about an agreement between workers and business, as stipulated by the country's labor laws.
Steve Geurink with Worldwide Christian Schools explains that the increase put many businesses and employers in a difficult position. "The ministry of representatives from the government have said, 'You have to pay this or we will close you.' People are simply laying off workers and businesses because they can't pay the new minimum wage."
Their partners are also cutting back. The El Verbo Christian School in Tegucigulpa was forced to lay off 12 people in order to meet the new payroll requirements.
Budget deficits created by the wage hike threatens the ministry. Geurink says many of their partner schools were already operating at a "bare bones" level. Now, "They have to start looking at how they can get more revenue out of the parents themselves, locally, which is going to be very difficult. This means that fewer children will have access to those schools," which means fewer children being exposed to the Gospel.
What can you do? "We would encourage people to consider sponsoring one of these schools. But don't forget about the power of prayer. Pray for the government, pray for the country, as a whole, and lift up these teachers and these schools so that they can continue to operate in spite of this challenge."
It costs one sponsor less than a dollar a day to ensure that there is one more child in school. Geurink says it costs roughly $25 a month. They need six sponsors per school. WWCS is looking for sponsors for the following schools:
- El Verbo Christian School in Tegucigalpa
- Emanuel Christian School in Juticalpa
- John Calvin Christian School in San Jose de la Vega
- Juan Calvino Christian School in Choluteca
- Luz y Verdad Christian School in Catacamas
