What a couple of days this has been. Let me start by saying that it was quite a shock to make the discovery we did out at sea. There were many questions at the time-Who are these people? Where are they from? What is this makeshift boat? Where were they going? Yes, there were many questions. There was one thing, however that was NOT and would NEVER be a question- whether or not to help them. These people risked it all to find a better life where they could earn some money to help their families. These people earn a fixed amount each month, most $10-$20 per month. While they do have socialized education and health care- they do not have housing, food, electricity and utilities. Most of them spent half their monthly income on electricity and did not have enough money to feed their families. It was great to see the (mostly) positive response on the beach in West End when we came in. The Roatan Marine Park responded quickly as did the police, especially Inspector Eduardo Fuentes Torres who was quick to respond and very professional. My wife, Maggie Jackson coordinated people on the beach along with others from the Marine Park and Aaron Etches who was generous enough to have the group moved to Sundowners Beach Bar - West End, Roatan, Honduras where they were able to shower and sit down as well as attempt to call worried family members back home. Since that time, our family has spent a great deal of time with these 20 individuals. They are being held at the detention center in Coxen Hole and very much appreciate the people who have brought food and other donations especially Rachel Wood Wesley and Janet Wood who brought Seafood Soup last night! The update is that they are still awaiting paperwork from Immigration (they were to be taken today to La Ceiba but will likely not go until Monday now) but it has not arrived. They are receiving legal advice from Czar Gnzz We are continuing to coordinate with them to contact their family members and provide whatever little support we can. Please contact Maggie Jackson if you would like to help financially or to donate anything. If youd like to make snide or ignorant comments, please dont contact either of us. We arent interested. Let me be very clear: There are many theoretical conversations people can have about certain situations. In the situation of discovering a struggling hand made boat with a bus engine running on oil drifting out at sea, with people hand paddling and a sail made of plastic with 20 refugees crowded on board having run out of food and water...there is one and ONLY ONE thing to do.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 03:49:07 +0000
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