Humanitarian Aid in Tapachula, Mexico
As you may be aware, we recently travelled to Tapachula, Mexico and the border of Guatemala to hand deliver much needed hygiene bags to those who are fleeing their country for safety, the caravan is comprised of men, women, and children of all ages. This is my story.
When I saw the news of the Caravan coming and I realized all that was going on at the border, I was very startled and sad. In the past I have taken humanitarian aid to DF (Mexico City) for the previous caravan that passed thru about a year ago. I have firsthand knowledge of the state that the people are living thru and how their need for help is dire and real.
We at YGO believe in humanity. What we saw, whom we talked to, and there is no doubt in my mind that this is just a caravan of desperate people. I felt compelled to help ease a little suffering.
Transparency: A business practice that we practice. As per the outlined rules of Yucatan Giving Outreach, the funds we raise for YGO programs stays locally in the Yucatan. Therefore, an additional campaign seeking funds specifically to make 1700 hygiene bags for the children who were travelling within the caravan. Within 24 hours we raised an amazing amount of 103,776 pesos for this purpose, an amazing amount of funds for our small foundation. It showed me the love and compassion so many of you have for humanity.
Although the YGO foundation isn’t a Christian based charity, everyone knows that I am a practicing Christian. When we landed, we had a plan, we knew we needed to buy supplies, find an area to package the hygiene bags and then what??… We were going in blind, without information as to where we needed to be, where the need was greatest. I had faith that God would show me the way.
We headed to Sam’s’ Wholesale Club for bulk shopping, the management at Sam’s graciously allowed us to use their picnic area for a staging place so we can assemble the hygiene bags. With two YGO volunteers and a few hands loaned to us by the local Sam’s Club we worked for hours assembling bags… and made closer to 2000 bags than the 1700 we planned for. A few items weren’t available on site that allowed us to make more bags than we thought.
NOW WHAT…
We decided to head to the Guatemala border where we heard that there were many individuals coming through on Sunday. We got to a border crossing, a bridge that spans the river that is a natural border. From that vantage point we were able to see the other side where people were waiting their turn to cross over. Mexican Immigration told us that were letting them into Mexico, in groups of 40 to ensure safety and ease of processing.
What we saw on the other side of the river what heartbreaking. We truly now know what the face of desperation looks like, people desperately waiting on the bridge and banks of the river for their turn to cross on their journey to a better life. So many Women, with their scared and sullen children, young and old. So many people in distress, some were healthy, some with visual limitations, missing limbs, crippled, using aids to keep up the pace, crutches, sticks etc..
We had the fortunate benefit of meeting a worker from UNHCR, (the UN Refugee Agency) who guided us to a few shelters that they have been sending people to for shelter/aid.
The next 10 hours were a blur, traveling to 7 different locations were there where people able to rest in a safe park or shelter and find water. We handed out hygiene bags at each one of those locations.
We went back and got additional supplies, children’s shoes, diapers, and misc. supplies that were so obviously needed.
As people were in line to receive this little bag of minor comforts, I could see the desperation, sadness, and fear in their eyes. There were hundreds and hundreds of people scattered all over these so called shelters, basically just a spot for sleeping on floors and on thin cardboard beds. The sight of young children with no shoes, tear stained cheeks silently walking with blistered, cut and bleeding feet, will haunt me forever.
These people are escaping the horrors of Nicaragua and Honduras. If you are not aware of the destitute and lack of hope for people in those countries, where war like conditions and rebellions are the daily norm. These people are just sad and in despair, their dignity long gone somewhere along the way. Looking for a place to survive.
We were encountered with sincere thanks from every person who received a small bag. The honest and strong hug I received when handing someone a bag, was worth far more than the 56 pesos it cost. These bags, were welcomed and needed, as it became one of the only few belongings they have in the world.
From what I heard, yes, some are planning on going to the border of the USA, but for every 1 person that is planning on going further north, there are at least 2 to 3 people who are looking at settling here in Mexico, where they can try to have a safe and decent life, free from fear for their families. Who in the world would begrudge a person of these rights?
Thank you to everyone who trusted me with their money and deliver what we set out to do, comfort and humanity. We had over 300 donors from around the world who participated in this endeavor. There are no words that can express my thank you for your caring and humanity.
Thank you Shannon Murray and Maureen Luther Flynn for trusting in me and coming along on this needed journey. Special thanks to House of Flynn tribe and the Yucatan Giving Outreach A.C. non profit donors for all the support. Please see the pictures, I will not put captions, the pictures will speak for themselves.