Narratives of atrocity from the border have been on a repeat cycle through our media channels. Ongoing political and cultural wars in Central America have forced families to flee North in efforts to escape violence, poverty, and persecution. These individuals come to the U.S.' borders seeking asylum. Under the Trump administration, Homeland Security has placed a limit to the number of asylum cases processed each day in Tijuana. The current policy of “catch-and-release" sends asylum seekers back to Tijuana to await asylum after their initial hearing. Waiting can be any interval of time from months to years. Currently, many of those who are being denied refuge are living in tents in a baseball field in the center of Tijuana.  We hear about these stories of outright violations of human rights and our heart strings pull for these families, individuals, children. We wonder how we can fight back against these injustices. What can we contribute in a time when inaction speaks volumes? How do we let those who are in limbo know that they are not forgotten?  The <a href="https://www.refugeehealthalliance.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Refugee Health Alliances</a>  provides healthcare to these vulnerable populations seeking asylum along the border. Services included comprehensive primary care, acute care, prenatal care, harm reduction, integrative trans care and more -- all free of charge. The clinic is the largest charity healthcare provider to migrants in Tijuana with the exception of the Mexican government. It operates solely on donations, largely small scale donations of $10, $20, $50 from friends of the clinic. All medical care provided is done on a volunteer basis; nurses, EMTs, MDs, and CHWs from both sides of the border offering their time and skills.  The idea of a clinic that is funded on small scale donations, supported by qualified volunteers, and that manages to provide quality medical care free of charge may sound unsustainable, improbable. And yet RHA's doors have been continuously open since 2018. It is a point of stability that the community has come to rely on.  Our ask is not glamorous. We are asking for donations so that we can purchase the day to day supplies needed for RHA to operate. Supplies like chucks, lice combs, and feminine hygiene products. The work that is being done at RHA is not beautiful; it is holding pressure to a wound that is all too human and lacks a clear remedy. The future of the border is uncertain. The status of the fundamental rights of these asylum seekers is uncertain. What is certain is that your donation will be utilized with clear intention and a direct impact to provide dignified, high quality medicare to a community that is hurting. Your donation means that RHA is able to provide high quality medical care to individuals who have been told that their rights are secondary and that their lives can wait.  We are three APRN students from the Yale School of Nursing who will be travelling this March to Tijuana to provide primary care, prenatal care, and whatever else we’re able to offer. We will be working under our professor, <a href="https://theslot.jezebel.com/bandaid-on-a-gaping-wound-treating-colds-trauma-and-1832439310" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronica Mukerjee</a> , a Family Nurse Practitioner who epitomizes radical, queer medical care done right and with intention. She has been clear in emphasizing to us that this is not voluntourism or a pat on the back for ourselves. This work, under her guidance, focuses on honoring and empowering communities in a way that is rarely seen in the medical field.  We are paying for our own flights and accommodations. We are not seeking to be compensated for our time. We are asking for your donations for supplies for RHA that can be purchased cheaply in bulk in the United States. Supplies that we will be physically bringing with us to the clinic so that they can be used right away. 100% of the money collected through this GoFundMe will go towards purchasing supplies needed by the clinic. A list of these supplies can be found <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1U1BouD6cNzJcP6Rxk3OqbFdDmJdW_NMilmtdLDBPVRI/edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> .

Adriana Barillas

Sara Culver

Martha Waterman

Alex Prolman

Cecile Reuge

Anonymous

Chris Schroth

Lydia Kern 

Andrea Solazzo

Christopher Molina

Sienna Flanders Midwife

Wanda Joseph

Josh Lee

Jan Shireman

Sara D.

diane kim

Healthcare for Asylum Seekers on the Border

Just $255$ to go! Make an impact.

Healthcare for Asylum Seekers on the Border

Just $255 to go!
Make an impact.