The summer of 2014 saw a surge of unaccompanied children at the US’s southern border. Most of these children had traveled from Central American countries like Honduras and Guatemala. Many were fleeing violence, poverty, hunger. Don’t forget about them. We haven’t.
Many of the children who came across the border remain in facilities across the US as they await disposition of their individual cases. On their own, or sent by families, they arrived seeking connections with families already in the states, all seeking something better. The increased number of children taxed the border control systems, forcing many into makeshift holding facilities and then into shelters across the country. In August we shipped hundreds of blankets and hygiene kits to children being temporarily housed in shelters in six states.
Recently we sent another large shipment, via our global partner FedEx, to a number of shelters that will begin housing children in February 2015 as they await their immigration hearings. The kids that will be housed in these shelters range in age from 7-17 and most are in their early teens.
Working with the Urban Strategies/National Latino Evangelical Coalition we delivered medical supplies to nine shelters in five states. We learned that the greatest needs are for wound care, chicken pox treatment and pain relief. Thanks to the partnerships we’ve developed with medical supply and pharmaceutical donors we’ve been able to meet the needs of the shelters and the care of the children.
Examples of the supplies we shipped: sunscreen, tape, gauze, OTC meds from Johnson & Johnson; Alcohol swabs from BD; thermometers and covers from Welch Allyn; and ointment from Calmoseptine.
Heart to Heart International will continue to help as many of these shelters as we can. You can help us do this.
Support our efforts to deliver care to these children. Help us help them.
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