just returned from Matamoros Mexico and we fly back home early tomorrow morning. I’ll find more time to collect my thoughts but I wanted to quickly share a few photos, observations and ways to help (as many of you have asked for).
The whole situation in Matamoros is a study in contrasts. It’s both heartbreaking and beautiful, hopeless and hopeful, constrained and full of possibilities. The grit, dignity and faith of every single person we met will stick with me forever. We 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 do more for them because we 𝗰𝗮𝗻 do more for them.
Felicia Samponaro is running The Sidewalk School in the middle of the tent city. Out of her own pocket, Felicia pays teachers who happen to be asylum seekers in the camp to teach the kids. You can donate to the school here:
Helen Perry, an army veteran, is the Executive Director of Global Response Management. They deliver emergency medical care and humanitarian relief in high-risk areas, like Mosul. And now Matamoros. She compared her experience dealing with ISIS in Iraq to the cartels in Mexico. You can help them here:
Human Rights First runs Vets for American Ideals and is a non-partisan advocacy and action organization that challenges America to live up to its ideals. They are the amazing people that organized and funded our trip and you can support them here: