New Beginnings - Patsy and Son

I met Patsy and her son while I was volunteering in Tijuana, Mexico, on December, 2018. A small delegation from South Florida traveled to Tijuana to offer legal, medical, and mental health services to migrants waiting to apply for asylum at the US/Mexican border. Patsy and her son left their home country in Central America on October 2018, fleeing violence, persecution and death threats. Patsy endured daily verbal abuse and humiliation. She was raped by a gang of four men who told her she deserved that and more. Patsy was not only raped, but physically hurt, she was beaten so badly that she still experiences physical pain. Patsy has an 11 year old son, and a baby daughter, a result of the assault. Patsy was not able to ask for protection from the police, who turn a blind eye and don’t protect members of the LGBTQ community. Patsy owned a small tortilla stand, this was her only source of income. When gangs starting to demand “protection money,” which she didn’t have, they told her she could sell drugs to her customers instead. She knew that if she didn’t cooperate the gangs would kill her. Patsy decided to join the caravan of Central American migrants fleeing violence and persecution in their home country, heading for the United States. Patsy and her son were able to request asylum and they are now in the U.S. Her son has started school, they are living with a sponsor who is helping them while she gets on her feet. They need money to buy basic essentials to start their life in America. Your donation will go directly to purchase food, school uniforms, clothing, and other desperately needed survival items. Thank you for your consideration!