Covenant House Honduras Executive Director Honored for Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Menin Capellin, Executive Director of Covenant House Honduras, has been recognized as a "Hero Acting to End Modern-Day Slavery" by the U.S. State Department in its annual Trafficking In Persons Report.

One of only a handful of people recognized by the U.S. government for their work against human trafficking, Capellin leads the efforts of Covenant House Honduras (known locally as Casa Alianza Honduras) and is a passionate defender of trafficking victims, running the only shelter in Honduras dedicated specifically to victims of human trafficking. He is also noted for the establishment of Covenant House Honduras' Querubines Center, a secure shelter which houses victims of sexual exploitation, and provides them with food, clothing, medical attention, psychological counseling, witness and legal assistance, vocational training, and access to education.

"I have dedicated my heart and soul to the betterment of these lives, the lives of the young people of Honduran society who, unfortunately, are too often exploited, abused and forgotten," said Capellin. "This honor is, of course, a wonderful achievement for me, Covenant House Honduras and the cause to end human trafficking, but we must continue to press on and make further strides to make this initiative one of the past."

In conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Tegucigalpa, Capellin launched a public awareness-raising campaign about the dangers of human trafficking.

"Menin's tireless efforts have increased the public sense of urgency surrounding the abolition of human trafficking in Honduras," said Sister Patricia A. Cruise, president of Covenant House International. "I know that each day, through the work of dedicated people like Menin, we are getting closer and closer to a world where young people can enjoy their lives without fear."

The award was presented Wednesday, June 4^th in Tegucigalpa at the same time that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefed Congress on the latest U.S. Trafficking Persons report.

"We are pleased that in the seven years since the creation of the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, the United States and our friends and allies have made important strides in confronting the reality that human beings continue to be bought and sold in the twenty-first century," said Secretary Rice.

Covenant House Honduras treats over 400 underage youth a year, and also assists other street children in Tegucigalpa. Founded in 1987, Covenant House Honduras continues working towards building a better future for street children in the region.

"It has been gratifying to witness the determined governments, human rights and women's groups, faith-based organizations, and many brave individuals who are dedicated to advancing human dignity worldwide," said Secretary Rice. "Trafficking and exploitation plague all nations, and no country, even ours, is immune."

• The Covenant House Human Trafficking Initiative
• Human Trafficking Resource Disc Now Available Through Covenant House