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16 Dec 22 16 Dec 22

Colorful stories: migrants draw their experiences on the road through Central America

For migrants, the long journey through Central America exposes them to hardship and suffering, yet this is just one part of their story. People on the road also dream, create and love. This gallery of their drawings is proof of that.

For people migrating through Central America to the United States, the only certainty is suffering. From crossing swollen rivers and hiding from predatory gangs in the Darien Gap to immigration fines in Honduras and robbery and extortion in Guatemala, people who flee their countries in search of a better life often encounter the opposite along the way.

Since September 2021, MSF’s mobile clinic teams have been providing medical treatment, mental healthcare and psychosocial support to migrants travelling through Honduras and Guatemala. Day after day, the teams hear stories of pain, anguish, and loss.

But what happens when they are given colored pens and paper and invited to draw their most remarkable experiences during the journey? What happens when they are asked about what they have learnt and the positive memories that will stay with them forever? The answers are in this gallery of drawings created by migrants attending MSF’s mobile clinics in Honduras and Guatemala.

José Martínez

José Martínez left Honduras in search of a different life in the United States. He wrote this poem about his decision to leave:

In search of fertile land, where our dreams are fulfilled

I left my country, which is beautiful, but deficient.

Today it is my turn to be absent.

I carry my family in my mind as I chase illusions and hope.

In God we put our trust.

We trust that He will accompany us on this path, so we will glorify Him with praise.

José Martínez ends with a message of encouragement to his fellow Hondurans and other migrants: "Fuerza catracho [person from Honduras], you can do it. Cheer up migrants, yes you can."

Karen Guatibonza

Karen Guatibonza is a 12-year-old girl from Colombia girl travelling with her parents. She says: "I have been to several countries and the one I liked most was Honduras. There I met some very good and friendly people – people I liked a lot and will miss. I’ve learned to value my brothers and sisters and my parents and to appreciate all the efforts they’ve made on my behalf. I’ve realised that family comes first, and I intend to be a good person to the people who love me."

Mapa de banderas

A group of migrants from Ecuador and Venezuela drew their route through the countries of Latin and Central America. The Darien jungle, which divides Colombia from Panama and is one of the riskiest parts of the route, has a prominent place in this map of flags.

Kevin Rodríguez

Kevin Rodriguez is a man from Guatemala on his way to the United States. Before crossing into Mexico, he wrote: "Many people call it the ‘American dream’. May your experiences not discourage you; may they make you stronger. As people, we are all worth the same; there are just [little] differences and different nationalities."

Joziel

Joziel is a 10-year-old Honduran boy traveling to the United States with his mother. In his drawing he depicts a tree with Christmas lights that he saw in Guatemala: "On my way I liked the Christmas lights," he writes.

Antonella Villegas

Antonella, a 17-year-old girl from Venezuela, draws her experiences while crossing the Darien jungle with her family. She describes it as "a strong journey" and writes: "United as a family and with faith in God, we were able to make this journey. Four days of mixed feelings and emotions."

Belky Sarmiento

Belkis, a woman from Venezuela, crossed the Darien jungle with her two daughters. She writes: “The beginning, 15 September, our journey from Venezuela through the Darien Gap with my family. A movie in real life and based on real facts, with many mixed emotions including laughter, crying, pain, agony, hunger, thirst, sadness, fear and anguish. We got out alive, thanks to God." When she and her family lost their way, they met a person ("Indio") who told them to follow the blue signs, eventually making it to the far side of the jungle without incident.

Carlota

Carlota, a 60-year-old woman from Venezuela, writes: "What I really liked about the jungle was the vegetation, the nature, the pure air, among all the perceived dangers. There are lots of stumbling blocks, but there are also many beautiful things that can be appreciated on the way. I noticed the blue butterflies. It also helps to have the support of all the other people who are passing through; they helped us to endure the walk. We found springs along the way where you could drink the healthy water, although lots of people drank water from the river which they also thought was clean."

Valencia family

The Valencia family are from Ecuador. They write: “Everyone in our family has lived through this journey in the flesh. The best thing about it is what we have learnt about regional foods, the landscape, the forest, the jungle. We have also learnt to be more united as a family. We thank God for allowing us to stay together until we reach our destination. I would warn other groups who want to leave their country to be aware that they will leave behind their whole family and that it is a very hard experience. You should think a thousand times before making this trip. God bless all the migrants who are undertaking this journey."

José Suárez

José is a young man from Venezuela who crossed the Darién jungle with his friends. José draws the mountains of Las Banderas, where they went hungry, saw people die and experienced great sadness. He writes: "I left my country with a group of companions in search of the American dream. We have been through unimaginable things: danger, hunger etc. This journey has taught me to be more compassionate. Every migrant who crosses the Darien jungle deserves the American dream they are looking for. We are Venezuelans in search of a better future."

Julio Oropeza

In a drawing entitled ‘Together as a family’, Julio, a 22-year-old man from Venezuela, depicts his family’s experiences after they left their home and crossed the Darien jungle, where they "faced difficult situations: hunger, discomfort, sadness and pain.” He lists the countries they have travelled through and those they have still to cross: Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. "With faith in God, everything will be all right,” he writes.

Migrant boys and girls

The handprints of six children travelling through Guatemala are accompanied by descriptions of things they have enjoyed about the journey. "I liked the beautiful experiences such as the trail, the river and the parrots," writes Jordan Adrián. "I liked the river, the fish swimming in the river," writes Tatina. Viviana writes: "I saw small fish in the river.” Mayte writes: "I came through the jungle; I saw small fish and I came through the river." Merly writes: "I liked listening to the fish and the monkeys." Kenickich writes: "I liked that my dad helped me on the trip."

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