"I Just Want to be Somebody" Synopsis

“I Just Want to Be Somebody” is a personal reflection on the crisis facing youth in Honduras, especially among those known as “ninis”, young people who are neither studying nor working. Rooted in Larry's doctoral research conducted at The Ohio State University, this book explores the voices, struggles, and dreams of young Hondurans who seek dignity, opportunity, and purpose amidst economic hardship, social instability, and the constant threat of violence.

Through firsthand interviews with students at a vocational school in Choluteca, and through powerful stories of migration and sacrifice, authors Larry and Angie Overholt reveal a recurring cry: “Solo quiero ser alguien”—“I just want to be somebody.” This phrase, heard in both academic research and the desperate words of a Honduran migrant at the U.S. border, becomes a symbol of the resilience and hope that define this generation.

But this book is more than just a study. It is a testimony from the final 20 years (following Hurricane Mitch) of a 43-year missionary career of service through World Gospel Mission, where Larry and his wife Angie have witnessed the long-term, transformative impact of Christian education and community development. It is a celebration of God’s faithfulness, the power of vocational training, and the importance of walking alongside young people as they discover their God-given potential.

Rich with lived experience, faith-filled insights, and practical ways to engage, “I Just Want to Be Somebody” invites readers to see the faces behind the statistics and to join in the redemptive work God is doing in Choluteca, Honduras—and beyond.