THE JOURNEY
THE FOOD GIVERS
With over 3200 kilometres to go the road to 'el
norte' was looking grim.
Quique, Daniel, Eber and Chacon
were still together but they'd lost the four friends
they were traveling with. Quique was clear that
he didn't intend to wait for anyone.
They didn't have any money and they weren't even
able to beg for food. It's against the law in
Mexico for anyone to offer help to the migrants
no matter how desperately they need it.
But ordinary people with big hearts came to the
rescue. Groups of poor villagers from the state
of Veracruz take time out every day to share what
food they have.
Dozens of people, mostly women and children ran
out of their houses clutching small parcels. They
smiled, shouted and threw food up to the hungry
kids riding the train.
Food Giver: We
see them falling asleep on the trains. They're hungry
and they shout - water, water. They hope to earn
a few more cents to send home. May God be with them
and may they reach their goal.
Every so often the train driver
slows down a little bit - just so the food reaches
it's target.
Food Giver: A lady
in Orizaba was caught and charged 10,000 pesos
for helping them. If they catch us, how will we
pay 10,000 pesos for our release?
Still the villagers continue to
share the food - in defiance of the law.
It's a brief glimpse
of kindness and soon Quique and his friends were
riding towards Mexico City. After 10 long days
they were finally nearing their stop.
Exhausted they found a place to sleep next to
a train station. Assuming they were finally safe,
no one stayed awake to keep watch.
It was a big mistake. The police arrived.
Quique: They pointed
their guns and said 'nobody move'. They took us
to that station.
