By Wendy Ramirez | Project Director
Dear KIND friends,
More and more unaccompanied child immigrants – numbering in the thousands – are making the dangerous journey alone to the U.S. For so many of them, the trip ends with apprehension at the border, followed by months in a detention center before being sent back, alone.
For children who turn to KIND, it is a different story. We help them return home safely, starting the planning here in the U.S., providing assistance in contacting their family, travel back to their rural communities, and education and vocational training opportunities.
“Elias,” * 17 years old, is one of those children. Fleeing severe poverty and lack of opportunity in his home town, he set out north, seeking a path to a hopeful future. However, he was detained in March 2013 by U.S. Border Patrol and after spending almost 6 months in a shelter, his only option was to return to Guatemala.
KIND’s Social Services Coordinator began working with him before he left the U.S. and referred his case to one of our partner organizations in Guatemala, who contacted Elias’ family. This month, his parents and grandfather, who had never before left their village, travelled 15 hours by foot and by bus to Guatemala City to welcome Elias home in a tearful reunion. In addition to providing a meal, lodging and bus fare back home, the partner began discussions about possible vocational training and youth group opportunities to help Elias build a future.
We will visit Elias and his family in the coming weeks to make sure that this smart and resilient child gets a new start. And we will keep you posted about his progress, and share stories about the other children that we are helping with your support.
Warm regards,
Wendy Ramirez
Project Director
*name changed to protect confidentiality
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