Comunidad Segundo Montes
Comunidad Segundo Montes (CSM) was founded in 1990 by former refugees returning from their camp in Colomocagua, Honduras. The community was named for Father Segundo Montes, one of six Jesuit priests assassinated along with their housekeeper and her daughter at the University of Central America (UCA) on November 16, 1989. CSM consists of five small communities – Los Quebrachos, El Barrial, San Luis, Hatos I, and Hatos II.
Though the refugees were very organized while living in the Colomocagua camps, they were unable to achieve the same level of unity and organization in their new community. CSM has a school that serves grades K-12, a health clinic, a music school, a library, a very active ALGES (Association of War Wounded) chapter, a Pastoral Team, and other organizations. Presently these various organizations and community resources are struggling to find ways to work together to address their community’s serious social and development issues.
Economic activity in the region remains limited. While most are engaged in agriculture, CSM is in the very steep mountains of Morazán making it difficult to cultivate large, diverse crops. CSM benefits from a number of stores, markets, and restaurants, and many community members receive remittances from family living and working in the U.S.
CSM has a partner community relationship with St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte NC. In 1992 when the children in CSM were holding classes under trees, St. Peters assisted in the building of the temporary schools. Over the years St. Peter's has also provided support for the Pastoral Team, the ALGES office and store, the Music School, supplies for the Senior Center and many other activities. St. Peters has had a delegation most years since 1992.
(Residents of CSM welcome an international delegationin 1990, shortly after their repatriation from the Colomoncagua refugee camp - photo by Steve Cagan)