Written by: Tania Erazo, Marketing & Communication Volunteer, COEAS

COEAS Veterans, Luis Hernán Baca Valladares, known as “Mero” and Luis Torres alongside young volunteers

In 1987, when the Comité Ecológico Aldea de Suyapa (COEAS) began to protect the mountain, it did so with a group of young men and women committed to taking care of the area's water resources. Among them, Luis Hernán Baca Valladares, known as “Mero”, was one of the pioneers in activating the volunteer program. Not anticipating what it would become, Mero began educating girls and boys from the village, who are now the guardians of the Wildlife Refuge.

Through plays, talks and activities with children, young people and adults, Mero was attracting more volunteers, generating awareness and expanding the support network. Today, the youth Mero recruited are the ones leading the committee’s team, following in his footsteps by training, inviting, and recruiting more people to join this effort.

Thanks to painting, art, and theater workshops with the support of Mujeres en Las Artes (MUA), and reforestation talks, cleanups and restoration of the refuge, new generations have joined this work. Silvia Girón, José Manuel García, Yessenia Suyapa Cruz, Dagoberto Guzmán, David Baca and many more are active volunteers, now that the volunteer component has been developed, are organizing training as tour guides, in recycling and in the production of organic compost. The youth also collaborate by giving talks to the girls and boys of Suyapa.

Our commitment is firm: we believe that through the education of children, we are ensuring the protection and future of Tegucigalpa's lungs. Volunteerism is one of our main pillars, and thanks to the passion, dedication and revolutionary spirit that Mero instilled in each of the people involved, we have managed to keep this refuge alive. His legacy continues to be an inspiration to the women, men, young and old people of the village, as well as to residents of the city and throughout Honduras.