Thousands of men and women from Honduras have made to walk on the road in the United States. They are fleeing poverty and violence in their homeland, in search of a decent life.
On Thursday afternoon, the situation has Migrante in Casa del, a hostel for migrants on the edge of the historic center of Guatemala city, a little relaxed. Helpers to sort clothes and food, the three-storey building, with some tired people rest on makeshift beds in the gym of the facility. However, the caravan has long since moved on. The night before several thousand people shelter had sought in the migrant hostel, which is actually designed for only 70 people. With the help of a nearby Catholic school, which opened its doors, it was able to offer all of you a safe accommodation for the night. In the early morning hours of Thursday, has set the caravan in motion again. Your next destination: Mexico.
Mario is one of the few that still remained in the Casa del Migrante. In the dawn he has reached the hostel, now he’s waiting for his sister, which is also on the way in the USA. “I wanted to try it before, but the money was never enough,” says Mario. “Now, along with so many other people, it is much easier.” More than 300 kilometres he ran in the past few days by foot. “We don’t want to,” says Mario. To die “at home, we are either on the poverty or be killed by the youth gangs.”
The migrant hostel “Casa del Migrante” in Guatemala city, between the station on the way to the North
Back to the 41 year old has left his wife and three children. “This is very hard, but for me there is no other way to leave Honduras”. 3000 Lempiras (about 100 Euro) he has earned with his work as a plumber in the month – also in Honduras, much to his family. Add to this the constant fear of the “Pandillas” – the youth gangs, the entire quarter is to terrorize. “If a girl is ten or eleven years old, then you want to that it is one of the Pandillas,” says Mario. “Who does not participate in, is murdered.” A son he has lost. “This is the fear I always carry with me,” he says. “And that’s why I want to get my family out of this, you should finally be in safety.”
Freedom of movement – and a threat from Donald Trump
Ten hours, he stayed on the border between his homeland and Guatemala, before the Guatemalan authorities gave the way free at last. Now he hopes that Mexico will open its border for the caravan. On the way, the migrants have experienced a lot of solidarity. “People have to drink and eat, some were even buses hazards,” says Mario.
Each means of transport is: migrants from Honduras on the way through Guatemala
Also, the Director of the migrant hostel in Guatemala city, Guatemala, praises the helpfulness of the people in Guatemala: “you know the difficult times of the civil war, and solidarity are accustomed to,” said Mauro Verzeletti. The decision of the Guatemalan government, the migrants did not stop, he welcomes: “It is an important step, that they will not be criminalised”. Since 2006, a mutual agreement between Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, that the people of the Region freedom of movement granted.
But the big difficulties are imminent Mario and the other Hondurans inside and Hondurans, who have joined the caravan, yet to come: US President, Trump has already announced to send, in case of emergency, the military, the migrants from entering the United States. “Donald Trump should remember that he is a human being,” says Mario. “He who has everything, should also give other people a Chance to live in decent conditions.”