As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
In the early 00s, Honduras had the highest murder rate in the world–including active war zones. But in Tegucigalpa, specifically a small mountainous barrio called Nueva Suyapa, the violence seemed never-ending, and its causes complex–not just poverty and gang activity, but corrupt police and a judicial system in shambles. Witnesses to brazen crimes were unwilling to speak out because they knew they’d pay with their own lives.
Into this mess moved Kurt and Jo Ann Ver Beek, American sociologists, and Carlos and Bernarda Hernández, schoolteachers, with their children. They saw that while various NGOs were able to metaphorically plug some leaks, such as starting small Christian schools to help some kids get an education, nothing was being done to address larger issues. With a breathtaking audacity and courage, they decided to change the country. And, this is the thing, they did. 20 years on, the murder rate in the entire country is a fraction of what it was, thousands of corrupt policemen have been fired and new ones are being properly trained, and children across the nation are in school.
Bear Witness is a remarkable book about remarkable people, but it’s not a hagiography. It’s written by a journalist who is not a Christian about two men who are empowered by their beliefs to be, as they put it, “brave Christians” who attempt to bring about meaningful improvement in the lives of poor people. They start with figuring out a way to protect witnesses so that people can come forward. This produces results, although it is not without risks and involves complex decisions about who they can work with, and how much trust can be given. Then they move forward to looking at ways to reform other institutions. The duo are open about mistakes made, and they feel their losses keenly. I appreciated author and journalist Ross Halperin’s willingness to show the murk involved, as Kurt and Carlos make impossible decisions. How much can you work with a corrupt regime who is nonetheless willing to make changes? How will that help or hurt you, your reputation, and most importantly, the people of Honduras, in the long run? Halperin doesn’t shy away from showing true results of decisions made. But the end result is nonetheless impressive.
Extensively researched and written with an objective eye, Bear Witness is a gripping read. Highly recommended!