How one woman in Colombia is bringing hope to Venezuelan migrants ▸

[ [link removed] ]Mercy Corps

For many of us, the holidays are a time for family,
friends and celebrating togetherness. But for millions around the world
who have been forced to leave their homes due to hunger or conflict, the
loss of community and culture can make hope for a brighter future feel far
out of reach. Meet one woman who is working tirelessly to bring hope,
safety and security to those in crisis.

When she first moved to Riohacha from Colombia’s capital city of Bogota in
1985, Maria del Rosario felt like an outsider. That feeling stuck with her
for years, and set her off on a quest to find a purpose in her new
community.

[ Maria ]Maria in Colombia
Maria del Rosario runs the Fundación Casa del Abuelo Esperanza Viva in
Colombia, and in recent months has been caring for Venezuelan migrants who
arrive after a dangerous and risky border crossing seeking shelter, food,
and a bit of kindness.
In 1989, Maria opened Fundación Casa Del Abuelo Esperanza Viva, or
"Grandpa’s House," with the support of 37 members of her church in her
small town. With 18,000 Colombian pesos, which at the time was around $50
in the United States, she opened the Casa as a home for elderly residents.
Today, it is also a waystation for Venezuelan migrants.

The feeling of being an outsider still resonates with Maria. Which is what
led her to open the Casa’s doors to Venezulans fleeing conflict,
insecurity and violence in their home country. When Venezuelan migrants
began to arrive in Colombia, Maria knew she and the community had to do
something to help those around them experiencing crisis. The Casa hosted a
lunch for Venezuelan migrants in need of a hot meal, over 150 showed up.

"...[They] received that lunch, especially made for them, delicious
lunch. And a lot of them just wanted to stay. And they wanted to stay
because this looks like a place where you can have hope. A little hope.
And a lot of them just stayed with us," Maria says.

Over the past two years, Maria has opened the Casa’s doors to more than 30
Venezuelan migrants who are in the midst of an unimaginable journey to
safety, as violence and conflict continue to affect their home country.

The economy in Venezuela has faltered under the pressures of
hyperinflation, and crime rates have increased dramatically as poverty has
become more and more common. Now, mothers are carrying their days-old
children across borders and families are leaving their homes, schools and
jobs behind.

"All the time, I feel frightened every day — as a public employee but also
as a normal citizen," Sofia*, a current resident of the Casa and former
Venezuelan police officer says.

The Casa gave Sofia, her two children and many more Venezuelan migrants a
safe place to stay, in a time when they had, and still have, very little
to rely on. It also gives them hope. Hope that they can one day return
home and rebuild the lives they once had in Venezuela.

Maria del Rosario isn’t done changing her community yet. She hopes to
expand the three hectare farm next to the Casa to have more space to take
in those in need.

For Maria, "Esperanza," or hope, is the most important word in the Casa’s
name, as that’s what she hopes to bring to all those who walk through the
building’s doors. She wants them to know that the world hasn’t forgotten
about them or their struggles.

I haven’t, and I won’t forget them. Mercy Corps also continues to provide
urgently needed assistance to help Venezuelan migrants and refugees in
Colombia — including emergency cash for people to purchase food, water,
hygiene supplies and other essentials. We provide medical support by
paying for prescriptions and additional medical services like doctor
visits and x-rays. And our teams have set up safe spaces where we are
hosting life skills workshops. Since launching our response in 2018, we’ve
helped nearly 13,000 people in Colombia.

As this year draws to its close, thank you for supporting Mercy Corps’
work with millions of people around the world who are making their way
through hardship and crisis, and supporting people who are giving all they
have to provide hope and safety to those in need.

Thank you, and wishing you a joyous holiday season.

Sincerely,

Christy Delafield
Mercy Corps Director of Communications

*Name changed to protect identity.

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