Volunteering in Mexicali

Jan Alberti – Northeast Ohio Chapter

“America doesn’t want me. “

That was an understandable statement from a migrant guest sharing a meal offered by Casa Betania on a hot morning this past April. What was his first clue? The towering Wall that knifes through miles of desert and mountains? The new rules for applying for asylum that require online access to a website that keeps crashing? The threat of forced bussing from the border to an American city that you did not choose?

“I want you”. That was Pam Cibik’s reply. She, and six other volunteers came to Mexicali, Mexico, to assist in sending another, different message to the people looking to migrate to the States. They are wanted. Casa Betania, centrally located in Mexicali, is a stopping off place for respite while men, and sometimes families, try for a new life in the US. Casa Betania is just beginning to resume offering its morning meal to these migrants. Their afternoon meal is also offered to the local community.

Rick arrived in Mexicali about a year ago, and has been working at getting the Center fully functioning after the COVID shutdown. We were his first group of volunteers to come to Casa Betania.

Rick arrived in Mexicali about a year ago, and has been working at getting the Center fully functioning after the COVID shutdown. We were his first group of volunteers to come to Casa Betania. Through several Zoom meetings and countless emails, Rick helped us figure out how to get to Calexico, cross through the Port of Entry, and get to the Center in Mexicali.

Casa Betania

Our arrival day was also the first day breakfast was at the Center. Seventeen people were served a hearty meal made by the Pineda Onofre family. Josefina, Pedro, and their amazing family also provided our group of volunteers a daily meal of delicious Mexican fare, fellowship, laughter and inspiration. By the end of the week, we felt so at home that we almost forgot that none of us spoke Spanish!

That entailed stopping at the local Home Depot and picking up supplies for the day then starting work around ten. After about an hour, the morning meal would be served and a few of us would assist the Pineda family in setting out tables, smashing beans, washing pans and greeting guests.

Our days were spent working at repairing and painting the outside of the building at Casa Betania.

The remainder of our group continued to prep walls, plaster, paint, clean up in the yard, and trim bushes. Even the hole in the roof overhang got a new look - to the dismay of the pigeons that had set up house under there. The changes to the facade and grounds were cosmetic, to be sure. But they matter. These contribute to the message that needs to be voiced louder than a wall: all people are worthy of an environment that welcomes them. 

Each day, Rick and Padre Juan Carlos, his friend since childhood, would take us to sights in the city that assisted us in further understanding the culture of this country as well as the plight of those traveling through it. We visited Albergue Juvenil del Desierto, a Center providing shelter to women and children who are seeking to cross into the US. Most of these women were fleeing domestic violence situations and returning home is just not an option.

Here, we were able to bring some smiles with a donation of thirty little girl summer dresses made by Cheryl Rechner (Pam Cibik’s sister).

The dresses were tagged with “DressAGirl - Around the World,” an organization that fights human trafficking, and signals to predators that this little girl is being protected.

We also visited a small library for children at Padre Juan’s parish center and donated books to add to their collection.

On our last day, Rick and Padre Juan Carlos took us to The Wall. This visit is always sobering and puzzling, provoking so many questions. Whose little shoe is this laying by the metal slats? Who is this flower bouquet meant to honor? How does one keep going through this massive desert when the only sounds in your head are your own footsteps?

The rest of the story: the migrant eating his breakfast with Pam and questioning her assertion that anyone in the States welcomes him, asked another question, “Why me and not him?” pointing at another immigrant guest sitting at the table. 

Pam answered, “I want him, too.”

Affiliates from the Northeast Ohio Chapter are returning to Mexicali in November. There are a few spaces left for other Affiliates who are interested in joining us. Please contact Jan Alberti at jaa.lpcc@sbcglobal.net if you would like additional information.