“ Jahzeel goes Underground” by Billi Lynn Holt

Honduras is a Caribbean Sea coastal country located in Central America. The capital of Honduras is Teguciagalpa and Comayagüela. Chapter 11, of the Honduran constitution, Article 295, translates, "The Central District consists of a single municipality made up of the former municipalities of Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela.” Comayagüela is referred to as “Little Comayagüela” and along with Tegucigalpa these cities make up the capital of Honduras. Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela have a long-standing history of political and economic strife. This strife that occurs could be a result of the scarcity of resources due to the increasing population growth in this country and the dry weather effecting the security of water supply. The longstanding banana, shrimp and coffee production in Honduras is, affected by the weather, including drought, and hurricanes. Because of these environmental factors, the citizens of Honduras have tried to market other agricultural initiatives but continue to struggle and have unmet sociological needs. Aid from the US denied to Honduras was due to the disagreement about the countries choice of how the country is governed and continual disregard for debt. Unemployment and underemployment measure over 50% of the citizens in Honduras. Due to wars from neighboring countries, the damaging weather and mismanagement of government rule, the decent citizens of Honduras have desperately sought relief by competing for scarce jobs and demand for government reform. Violent crimes conducted by gangs continue to become the societal norm in Honduras. The misconstrued “weak” members of society in Honduras are still targeted for murders, sexual abuse, violation of human rights and other violence by government officials and gangs. Corruption is the way of life in Honduras. Efforts in the past by the US to aid the country of Honduras of crime have been obstructed, purposely, by the corrupt local officials and gangs. Violent gangs such as the "Mara Salvatrucha" and "The 18th Street Gang" rule the way of life in Honduras. There have been ongoing efforts at solving Honduras’s problems by enacting the services of government entities, yet obstructed by governmental abuses, and collusion with criminals.

Most decent citizens of Honduras live varied economical lives. There are citizens educated and very wealthy while others, often migrants, live in houses they have built themselves with dirt floors and limited resources. The society “rigged” by monetary influence and a broken court system, encourage the class disparity of Honduran citizens. The wealthy Hondurans can use money to afford lawyers and escape fair prosecution while the poor suffer punishment for being poor. Attempts at social reform include influence by the "Evangelical Protestant Church", and other agricultural initiatives. Groups of Hondurans have converted to Protestantism yet still suffer the ills of governmental corruption and gang violence.

There is an area in Honduras, which is Roman Catholic but has established roots of Protestant groups known as “The Bay Islands.” The social stratification still exists, and families do the best they can to survive considering the adversity. The Bay Islands in Honduras are exquisite in landscape and there is so much entertainment to savor. The Bay Islands consist of rain forests, hiking trails, magnificent waterfalls, green lushy fields, volcanic depressions, botanical gardens, coral reefs, and other opportunities for enjoyment. Fishing, boat rides, snorkeling, restaurants, beaches, and more intwine with the natural wildlife embellishing the Bay Islands.

One family in particular living in the Bay Islands, is the “Morazan Family.” This family, headed by a widowed mother who lost her husband and father to her children at the hands of the increasing gang violence in Honduras, struggles to provide the best she can for her five children. Her name is Pareise Morazan. She is 25 years old and employed by the local hotel in Bay Island as a housekeeper. She works double shifts at the hotel and conserves her pay for the best choices she can make for her family considering her options. Everyday on her lunch break she visits the shore of the "West Bay", and marvels at the natural wildlife within her reach. The deep blue waters, coconut palm trees and sandy beaches are home to reptiles, mammals, and native birds. Crocodiles, iguanas, sea turtles, rabbits, deer, bats, and birds considered giant parrots, namely the “Macaw” surround Pareise as she lunches.

Pareise longed for justice and social balance in her native Honduras and dreamed of ways to make life better for her people. She was not able to pursue any educational achievements, due to her having children at such a youthful age and the loss of her husband just made life tougher. She pondered memories of her life in Honduras, sad about the way her homeland has fallen to corruption and gang violence. She would spend time on her lunch break and befriend the birds, feeding them scraps from her lunch, talking to them about her dreams and able to exchange affection with one particular “Macaw.” The Macaw is a type of large parrot, and it is also the national bird for Honduras.

Pareise and the McCaw she named “Jahzeel” visited each other every single day. Pareise had an extraordinary relationship with Jahzeel. The McCaw would allow Pareise to hold him, and he responded to her voice as if he understand what she was saying. Pareise cherished Jahzeel, fed Jahzeel, and taught him to catch scraps of food in midair. She would throw scraps of food into the blue sky and Jahzeel would catch the scrap of food, bring it back to Pareise and offer her the first bite by laying the scrap of food at her feet. Pareise delighted in Jahzeel and his animal affection he had for her. Jahzeel brought hope and happiness to Pareise everyday making her smile and forget her losses. It was mid-summer when Pareise produced an idea that included Jahzeel. Pareise managed Jahzeel so well she was curious to discover if Jahzeel would be willing to partake in the slim chance of delivering a message to the US. Pareise decided to “train” Jahzeel and experimented with him daily in her locale. She started with writing tiny messages on a small piece of paper and taping it to Jahzeel’s leg. Jahzeel did not object to Pareises’ taping a small piece of paper to his leg. After doing so, Jahzeel immediately took flight into the bright blue sky, soaring around with the other McCaw’s in acrobatic flight as if to be overjoyed at participating in Pareises’s ideas. Pareise and others would stop what they were doing to watch Jahzeel but then Pareise’s lunch would soon be over and when she finished the walk back to the hotel, where she worked, Jahzeel would be on the sunbathing deck waiting for Pareise. The mind-blowing nature of this bird inspired Pareise to plan help for her endangered homeland. She studied the habits of McCaw’s and their potential for extensive travel and survival. She perfected her verbal communication skills with Jahzeel. Each day on her lunchbreak these two practiced the art of “Bird Language”, and before long Jahzeel and Pareise became attuned to one another. Jahzeel seemed to be particularly sensitive to Pareise. It was as if he understood her just as much as she understood him. Jahzeel would respond to Pareise voice understanding her intentions and adoring her loving spirit. Jahzeel would do anything for Pareise, from delivering the messages taped to his leg to the hotel, playing “fetch” with the scraps of food tossed in the air, and affectionally allowing her to touch him. Not long after the development of this relationship Jahzeel began following Pareise around the islands as she walked home after her shift. The relationship with these two grew into a supernatural, faithful, and loving bond. Jahzeel wanted to do anything to make Pareise smile. It was as if her husband had returned to Pareise in the life of this bird. Pareise was utterly amazed and happy to have Jahzeel in her life. She kept Jahzeel fed and trained, and he was always eager to satisfy her.

Pareise and Jahzeel were the best of friends. It was apparent these two enamored with each other, were excited about their new unique relationship. Pareise dreamed of finding a way to combat the corruption and violence in her native country because she already knew Honduras’s scenery is stunning and the broken society is full of so much positive potential. Pareise made up her mind that she was going to do something with Jahzeel to make life better for her country.

Pareise was able to use the internet at the hotel during her short breaks from housekeeping. She was not completely computer literate but understood how to do a “search.” She would search the internet for information about the ability for a McCaw to fly long distances, and the best chance of survival during a long trip. She also researched how far away the "United States White House", in Washington D.C. was from Honduras. Her plan was to convince Jahzeel to deliver a message to the White House, and hopefully have that message fall into the hands of the "President". She studied the day in the life of the current American President and learned that he would frequent the south side of the White House and reflect in the “Jefferson’s arc of Triumph” garden filled with fascinating weeping willow trees. Pareise observed the beauty and splendor of the White House gardens and imagined what it would be like to visit. She mulled over the idea of Jahzeel flying the 1800+ miles to the "White House Garden" to deliver her message. She learned that McCaw’s could fly 1000 miles before needing to rest and eat. Pareise printed the map out showing the clear boundaries of North America and South America including the location of the White House in Washington D.C.

She displayed the printed map to Jahzeel and talked to him about delivering a message to the President. She reminded Jahzeel of his previous experience delivering a message taped to his leg and all the practice they did. Jahzeel listened, studied the map, and seemed to comprehend exactly what Pareise wanted him to do. Jahzeel was in excellent physical shape for the trip north, and his fine large beak would lead the way across the miles. These two decided they would conduct the plan to deliver the message. Careful thought went into preparing the message. Pareise wanted the message to the President to be neat and safe from the elements, so she took exceptional care to write the message. She was able to create a beautifully written message for the President to read.

The message was this:

Dear President,

My country needs your help. I am a mother of five children. My husband was brutally murdered by the Mara Salvatrucha gang. Our country needs to heal and stop the abuses. Is it possible for you to set up a neighborhood coalition to educate and help bring peace to Honduras? I have read about “Family Resource” centers and the effect they have on dangerous neighborhoods. If a family resource center were to be immediately established in our dangerous neighborhoods, this could help to educate our people and ease crime here. These family resource centers could explain to our neighborhood people the dynamics of abuse and how to end it. Could you please initiate this plan for Honduras and my people? There are so many broken families here in need of your help. Thank you for accepting my message and taking this into consideration. Love from Honduras, Pareise Marazan and my loving bird, Jahzeel.

Pareise was happy with the brief message, and she did not want the paper to be to heavy and weigh down Jahzeel during his flight. She carefully wrapped the message in a plastic bag and used medical tape to tape the small package onto Jahzeel’s leg. Pareise and Jahzeel studied the map of the trip together and she reminded Jahzeel to take frequent rest breaks and to eat. It was now up to Jahzeel to deliver the message. Jahzeel was ready for the challenge and eager to deliver the message. Pareise and Jahzeel said their goodbyes and Jahzeel, wanting to please Pareise, obeyed her requests and began his flight.

It was an early afternoon and a Tuesday. The sky was clear, and the sun was shining brightly. Jahzeel had eaten scraps from Pareise’s lunch, and his belly was full. The message, taped securely to his leg, did not hinder his flying abilities. Jahzeel quickly ascended into the sky. As he flew away, he screamed as loud as he could to Pareiese as if to be saying “I love you, goodbye.” Pareise frantically waved to Jahzeel and smiled, chasing him, following Jahzeel as far as she could down the sandy coast. His streamlined physique and giant red wingspan filled the sky with the impressive beauty that is Jahzeel. As he pumped those powerful red wings, his silhouette slowly disappeared into the sky heading north powered with zeal, speed, and determination to reach his American destination. Jahzeel flew north from The Bay Islands encountering perfect weather the entire trip. He stopped rarely along the way, foraging for food, and found bird baths in unsuspecting American yards. He barely took the time to rest but did so in the American trees that provided protection and security along the way. Before long and two days later, after he left Pareise, he arrived at the White House, “arc of triumph.” It was mid-morning, Thursday as he navigated his landing near the unsuspecting President. Jahzeel fiercely landed on the plush green lawn near the “arc” and the President was amazed to see such a beautiful creature arrive in the White House yard. Jahzeel, although exhausted, walked towards the President and the President mutually approached Jahzeel. The President picked Jahzeel up from the ground in astonishing curiosity and welcomed Jahzeel to the White House Garden. The President and the Secret Service surrounding him were amazed to find Jahzeel at the White House Garden. The men stroked Jahzeel’s beautiful red feathers attempting to comfort him and became friends. They offered Jahzeel scraps of food and introduced Jahzeel to the giant birdbath. Jahzeel, squirmed, gently flapped his wings, and shook his legs trying to display the taped message on his leg to the President. The President noticed the taped plastic bag containing the message and proceeded to gently remove it from Jahzeel. While the President and the Secret Service began reading the message, Jahzeel, opted for a warm bath in the giant birdbath.

The President and the Secret Service let out a gasp of breath upon reading the message from Pareise in Honduras. The President immediately ordered his staff to provide safety and protection to Jahzeel. Jahzeel was given quality nuts, berries, and seeds as well as natural spring water to drink. Jahzeel was happy and enamored with the attention and quickly made himself at home. The President immediately notified his staff to initiate contact with the President of Honduras and ordered an investigation to find Pareise Morazan in Honduras. He planned to develop a task force in collaboration with the "Human Rights Council" to create the Family Resource centers in Honduras. He realized Pareise Morazan and Jahzeel were on the right track to appropriately help Honduras.

In the days that followed Jahzeel’s descent onto the White House lawn, the national news service as well as local dignitaries heard about Jahzeel’s amazing flight from Honduras to the White House and arranged a formal meeting with Pareise Morazan and Jahzeel. The President ordered the process of developing the “Family Resource Taskforce” for Honduras and other countries as a cure for violence and crime. The President publicly acknowledged Pareise Morazan and Jahzeel inviting her to join him and Jahzeel for a formal visit to the White House. He also planned to support Pareise Morazan and her family with whatever they needed to better their quality of life in Honduras.

When the "President of Honduras" heard the news about what Pareise Morazan and Jahzeel had accomplished he reconsidered and willingly accepted to participate in the negotiations to create Family Resource centers in his beloved homeland with the assistance of the American government. The important work was complete. Pareise Morazon and Jahzeel were, from that day on, considered “heroes” by both Honduras and the US government. Pareise’s homeland and support by the President of the United States became a promising future for Pareise Morazan and her five children in a “new” nonviolent society.