Alma’s Journey from Insecurity to Independence

From a very young age, Alma’s life was marked by great challenges. After her father’s death, she lived with her mother and two younger siblings in a very insecure and unstable environment. At home, she faced constant physical and verbal abuse and neglect and was even denied food.

Alma took on responsibilities well beyond her years. She rose early every morning — not to go to school but to prepare and sell strips of fried plantains in the market. Afterward, she helped tend a bar in her mother’s home. Every night Alma went to bed full of fear, only to rise again the next day with persistent feelings of anxiety, sadness, and uncertainty about her future.

Despite that harsh reality, Alma found the strength to make a brave decision: She asked for help. With the guidance of a family friend, she fled to Covenant House Honduras, where, at Querubines Home, she found a safe place to start a new chapter in her life.

A Safe House for Trafficked and Abused Girls

Querubines Home — literally, House of Angels — is Covenant House Honduras’ home for trafficked and abused girls. It is in an undisclosed location, separate from our general residence for boys and girls. All the youth in our care in Honduras, and at our other Latin America sites in Guatemala and Mexico, are just 12 to 18 years old; a few are even younger.

At Querubines Home, our staff wrapped Alma in love and relentless support. Our holistic care includes safety, nourishing food, medical and mental health care, emotional support, education, family reintegration (when appropriate), and more. Through therapeutic processes and relaxation techniques, Alma learned to manage her anxiety, to trust herself again, and to envision a future for herself.

Shy and reserved at first, over time Alma adapted to the dynamics of the home, joining in all the activities with responsibility and a willingness to collaborate.

As she settled in, staff noticed that Alma was suffering severe back pain due to the physical effort she had made for years carrying heavy objects. They referred her to a local clinic for specialized medical care and to begin physiotherapy, so she could improve her physical health and reduce her pain.

Alma Finishes School, Starts a Business, and Enrolls in University

For Alma, education became fundamental to her transformation. She resumed her studies and graduated high school with a diploma in arts and sciences. Later, she took the admission exam at the National Autonomous University of Honduras, where she is now studying Law.

While completing high school, Alma also participated in vocational training in the areas of cuisine and beauty, which strengthened her skills and opened new opportunities for her personal and economic development.

As part of her process toward independent living, in 2025 Covenant House Honduras provided Alma with seed capital to start her own business in the beauty field. She offers services that include facial hair removal and eyebrow lifting, curling, and lamination. Her business not only provides her with a source of income; it is also a symbol of her autonomy, drive, and determination.

Alma maintains close contact with her aunt and godmother through phone calls and visits, strengthening bonds that contribute to her emotional well-being.

Building a Life with Dignity and Purpose

Today she sees herself as a more confident young woman, focused on her goals and grateful for the opportunities she has received. She is deeply grateful to Covenant House Honduras for providing her with protection and guidance and helping her build the confidence to believe in herself and her potential.

During International Women’s History Month, Alma’s story reminds us that when a girl or young woman receives relentless support and real opportunities, she can transform adversity into hope and build a life with dignity and purpose.

Covenant House has programs in 34 cities across five countries: the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Our children and youth in Latin America are the youngest across our federation.

Your donation is the most immediate and impactful way to support Covenant House’s work in Latin America.

Written by Grecia Moreno
Coordinator of the Observatory on the Rights of Children and Adolescents, Covenant House Honduras