NATIONAL WORK
Today, thousands of asylum seekers are still stranded on the U.S. – Mexico border, many with no food, clothing, or shelter. Those in Matamoros, Mexico live in tents near the Gateway International Bridge. Living conditions are poor with little infrastructure and high levels of violence including kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, armed robbery and sexual violence. In 2019, BWI partnered with Team Brownsville to serve asylum seekers and create programs to support their education and healing. Many of our board members traveled to the encampment to provide emergency aid, art healing activities, tools for trauma-informed care, and resources for the care and longevity of those working on the front lines full time.
While we cannot travel to serve in the encampment, BWI continues to financially support Team Brownsville to aid in their ongoing efforts to provide food, water, shelter, basic necessities, as well as legal, medical, and other services for this vulnerable population.
Our Work in Matamoros, Mexico
Our team began collaborating with Team Brownsville in October 2019. Since then, we have:
- Helped to prepare and serve meals to the 1,500+ people living in the plaza just over the border bridge. We crossed into Mexico every day, which we did with safety in mind – never crossing alone and always crossing with male counterparts.
- Purchased a supply tent and approximately $2,000 in supplies for camp residents’ use.
- Taught art at the Sidewalk Bridge Escuelita Sunday schools.
- Set up space in the plaza near the bridge where we offered art healing activities, including drawing and sidewalk chalk art.
- Met with various members of Team Brownsville to create a plan to develop safe and regular schooling for the kids in the encampment.
- Donated $3,000 to Team Brownsville efforts during COVID-19.
Previous
Next