We Help Honduras Organization (OAH)

The organization Ayudamos Honduras (OAH) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 2019 in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, by Laura Laiciuc and Gabriela Blen, with the support of a group of close associates who share our vision. OAH was born with the firm conviction of strengthening democracy, combating corruption, and promoting justice in Honduras and, subsequently, among Latin American communities abroad, fostering the development of citizen leaders committed to social change. Thanks to this experience in Honduras, we decided to expand to the United States through One America for Hope.

One America for Hope (OAH)

At One America for Hope, we work to empower Hispanic and Latino communities through civic education, leadership development, community engagement, and advocacy for democratic values, creating opportunities for new generations to become agents of change in the United States and Latin America.

Our vision is to be a leading organization in strengthening empowered, informed, and participatory Hispanic communities, where youth, women, and community leaders drive a more inclusive, fair, and supportive democracy for future generations.

Institutional History

OAH emerged from the experience of its founders, who identified the need for an independent platform to influence processes and institutions within the justice system, conduct social audits, monitor electoral processes, and combat corruption in Honduras and Central America. Since its inception, the organization has evolved, expanding its presence nationally and internationally to support Honduran and Latin American migrants in their pursuit of more just societies, both in their countries of origin and their host countries, as well as to support their personal growth and leadership development.

In Washington, D.C., Laura Laiciuc and Gabriela Blen met at human rights forums and began developing the idea for an organization dedicated to promoting the leadership of women, youth, and people affected by corruption in Honduras. In 2016, they consolidated the project, and in 2019, after overcoming many obstacles, they obtained legal status for the organization Ayudamos Honduras, which has since promoted training, social auditing, and citizen empowerment.

Impact and Achievements

Over the years, OAH has trained more than 5,000 young people and women in leadership, citizen oversight, and social auditing tools. We have directly benefited at least 50 communities in Honduras, primarily in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and La Ceiba, and we have extended our activities to migrants in the United States starting in 2026.

One of the most noteworthy projects was the 2021 Youth Election Observation, in which more than two thousand (2,000) young volunteers from UNAH led the supervision and monitoring of electoral transparency at more than two thousand polling stations nationwide. This work helped prevent attempts to manipulate results, while also gathering relevant information for a better understanding of the shortcomings and needs present in communities during electoral processes, which weaken democracy and electoral institutions and processes, with the aim of improving them.

In addition, OAH has led several audits of the selection processes for Prosecutors and Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice, bringing transparency to these processes by proposing reforms to the laws and regulations that govern them, proposing and demanding the adoption of International Standards for the selection of high-ranking positions in the Justice and Criminal Prosecution system , and documenting all events and irregularities in these processes in Citizen Audit Reports.

This strategy is complemented by advocacy actions before the UN, the IACHR and other international and multilateral organizations, with the purpose of making the situation visible and demanding transparency from the State.

Furthermore, we are the pioneering organization in demanding the establishment of an autonomous and independent international anti-corruption mechanism, similar to the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). This demand arose in 2015 during the historic Torchlight Marches, which spurred the establishment of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (MACCIH) , promoted by the Organization of American States (OAS). During its time in Honduras, MACCIH conducted investigations into corruption networks never before seen in the country, exposing the modus operandi of criminal networks operating from within the political sphere. These networks include politicians from all parties, as well as their links to private companies, the military, and drug cartels.

All our initiatives include large-scale awareness campaigns that translate legal language into clear and accessible terms. Through these campaigns, we help citizens understand the importance of participating, demanding accountability, and electing representatives without criminal ties or a history of corruption, violence against women, or child abuse. We also explain how corruption affects daily life and what actions can be taken to combat it, defend human rights, and promote a culture of transparency and active civic participation.

Our initiatives are made possible through the collaboration of partner organizations and foundations that have placed their trust in our work, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) , the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) , the National Democratic Institute (NDI) , and the Open Societies Foundation (OSF) , as well as the universities with which we have cooperated, such as the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) , the Technological University Center (CEUTEC-SPS) , the José Cecilio del Valle University (UJCV) , the New Millennium Evangelical Christian University (UCENM) , and the Technological University of Honduras – San Pedro Sula Campus (UTH-SPS).   We have also signed cooperation agreements with the Honduran Bar Association at the national level and with its La Ceiba Chapter.

The diversity of our allies and collaborators has enhanced our impact, promoting common causes in favor of transparency and justice.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOUNDERS

We Help Honduras Organization

The organization Ayudamos Honduras was founded by Laura Laiciuc and Gabriela Blen, along with a board of directors comprised of individuals committed to the cause. Over the years, the organization has relied on the support of dozens of volunteers, hired specialized consultants, and collaborated with partner organizations in Honduras and Central America.

One America for Hope

One America for Hope boasts a diverse, high-caliber Board of Directors with expertise in strategically selected areas of knowledge. Its members, recognized for their impeccable track records, bring a valuable international and multidisciplinary perspective to the OAH Board.

Laura Laiciuc

Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors and Director of Strategy and Operations – One America for Hope and Ayudamos Honduras Organization.

Laura Laiciuc is a U.S. and European citizen. From the outset, she has led the strategic and operational development of initiatives focused on social justice, human rights, and the promotion of democratic values. Her deep commitment to women’s rights, transparency, and collective well-being led her to live for several years in Honduras and travel throughout Central America, where she specialized in political analysis and the study of the impact of corruption networks on the most vulnerable communities, as well as mechanisms to counteract them through citizen participation.

Originally from Moldova, she showed a strong sensitivity towards protecting the most vulnerable from a young age, along with a great passion for animals and science. This led her to study Veterinary Medicine and later obtain a master’s degree in Biotechnology, developing experience in scientific research and health.

Later, she worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, where she strengthened her expertise in research and public service. She also pursued studies in criminology and in research on human trafficking and human rights, areas that deepened her commitment to defending human dignity and fighting corruption and exploitation.

Additionally, she is proficient in English, Spanish, Romanian, and Russian.

Gabriela Blen

Co-founder and Board Member, Executive Director – One America for Hope and Ayudamos Honduras Organization.

An anti-corruption activist and Honduran social leader, Gabriela gained national and international recognition as one of the prominent figures of the «Indignados» Social Movement and the historic Torch Marches in 2015, a citizen mobilization that demanded transparency, justice and the fight against corruption in Honduras.

She studied Law and Sociology at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), complementing her education with audiovisual production, graphic design, political leadership, and democratic participation. She is a graduate of the prestigious American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) program of the U.S. Department of State, as well as the Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Agents of Change political training program, among many other international training and leadership opportunities.

Throughout her career, Gabriela has led initiatives in social auditing, election observation, transparency, and civic education, participating in international forums and collaborating on programs for youth leadership, political participation, and democratic strengthening. Her experience combines social activism, strategic communication, and community organizing, driving projects aimed at creating opportunities and promoting a more active and informed citizenry.

Political and legislative career

Before dedicating herself to social leadership, Gabriela participated in the founding of the Anti-Corruption Party of Honduras (PAC). From its inception in 2012, she organized the Party’s Youth wing and coordinated its training and development throughout the country.

She was also part of the Strategic Planning Team responsible for developing the PAC’s government plan. Later, she served as a legislative and communications advisor in the National Congress of Honduras, participated in the government planning roundtables of the Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship, and was a candidate for Congress in 2017.

Dr. Eric Hershberg

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

He is a renowned scholar, author, and Professor Emeritus of Government at American University . He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has an unparalleled track record in public policy research and regional dynamics. He was the Founding Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University, leading it from its inception in 2010 until 2022. His extensive institutional experience includes serving as President of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) and directing programs at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). He brings to the board unmatched academic expertise in U.S.-Latin American relations, the political economy of development, and the community integration of Central American migrants.

Indyra Mendoza Aguilar

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

She is a renowned global human rights advocate, an economist who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), and the Executive Director of the Cattrachas Lesbian Network . Her pioneering approach to data-driven activism and scientific evidence propelled the landmark ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that held the State of Honduras responsible for the murder of trans activist Vicky Hernández, marking a regional milestone in LGBTQ+ protection. Thanks to this monumental work for justice, she was honored on the prestigious TIME100 list of the World’s Most Influential People in 2021. In addition to her social activism, she is a distinguished numismatist and author of books, educational guides, and cultural histories in her native Honduras.

Cristian Gurău

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

He is a philosopher and journalist trained at the Moldovan School of Journalism. A graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy and Communication at the University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, he also pursued master’s studies in Clinical Psychology at the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM). His interdisciplinary profile bridges behavioral sciences, institutional communication, and analytical research. Within the social program ecosystem, he provides essential critical frameworks for human-centered design, aligning community strategies with mental health, socio-emotional well-being, and empathetic institutional communication.