The situation in Colombia is getting unbearable for the locals. Thousands of people line up for emergency food and many have hanged a red flag outside their houses - meaning that they are in need of urgent help with no food or water. Coming from a wealthy country with a well functioning social security system, it's first of all hard to understand the situation and even harder to witness all that threatening the people that you consider as your family here in Minca. It's even harder since I know that I can't help all of them alone. With this post, I want to to raise awareness and maybe trigger someone to donate to the Minca fundraiser.
Imagine the situation:
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| Can you tell who is (or might become a person) in need? I can't. |
Video shot during the weekly grocery shopping trip in Santa Marta on Tuesday April 21st by Adam Walker (member of my quarantine family).
Imagine the situation:
Basically everything, like your farm and source of income, was taken away from you during the time of Guerilla violence and later the government gave your family a piece of land to live in and start fresh. You start a family business in tourism industry maybe by driving moto taxis, running a hostel/restaurant, or maybe giving tours for bird watching or cacao farming. You live from hand to mouth, just enough to provide your family, but with no opportunity to save money.
Then comes coronavirus with at least 1,5-month-long lockdown followed by rumours that the tourism industry might have to remain closed for up to 18 months. You cannot work, meaning no income, leading to no food and water. What would you do?
In Finland I would just contact unemployment office with few clicks and then receive part of my salary as unemployment benefits. The social security system would always support me. I could use my savings, or in worst case scenario ask my family to help me out.
But what about the people in coutries like Colombia where no such thing as social security system exists?
This is what happens to them:
As governments struggle to reach all those in need, many have resorted to hanging red rags from their windows to signal they need help. (Read the whole article here)
(If the video doesn't work, click HERE to watch it)
Listen our chef Yainer (26yrs), father of 4, to better understand the situation here in Minca:
(This was really hard for me to listen, since I consider these people as my family. Have been teaching the kids English and to swim, as well as just playing around with these little angels. Truth really hurts.)
(If the video doesn't work, click HERE to watch it)
Despite the horrible situation, these people around us are truly amazing and always greet me with a smile on their face - and I really hope it can stay that way. To do something, the local business owners established Minca Covid Relief movement to collect donations to help the families in Minca - classified as poorest level neighborhood in the country.
Luckily the fundraiser has started very well and it's now releaving the urgent life-threatening needs. Still, to help the community to become more self-sufficient in long run, more help is needed. If you want to help, click here to donate. Every penny counts 🙏
Stay tuned with social media channels:
Facebook: Minca Covid Relief
Instagram: @minca_covid_felief
Stay safe and have a great day 💚
Love,
Else
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| These little angels just make my day 🥰 But they too will need some help. |
Stay safe and have a great day 💚
Love,
Else
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