Last Saturday, we woke to a stunning sunrise and we readied for our trip to San Jose Del Cabo. At 6:30am, the first of the tour arrived excited and eager to get going. We loaded up the two trucks and headed to the facility to lock and load all the goodness and kindness we had already pre-sorted.
Vehicle after vehicle pulled in, loaded up, and anxiously waited. Before we knew it, our convoy was ready to go.
Our guide knows this route well and has been there before. Without Alma, none of this would be possible.
We arrived in San Jose Del Cabo, exited a lovely manicured road into a grocery store parking lot. It’s inviting and well-appointed, and the parking lot is buzzing with people either coming and going from the store with carts. It’s a Saturday thing.
We exit the parking lot on the left, and I hear one of the tour members say, “this isn’t so bad, we’ve seen worse.” I remain quiet as I know that what they are about to see will likely change their view of poverty forever.
We continue to drive; I begin to hear the gasps.
I hear someone say, “how is this possible?” Followed by, “we are only a few blocks from the road.”
In actuality, we are only approximately seven blocks from the beautifully manicured road we had just been driving on.
We are now in the colonies of San Jose Del Cabo, where the poorest of the poor live out their lives. As we continue to navigate what most would refer to as back roads with ruts the size of two-foot trenches (which is here nor there since people don’t have cars), we see a young couple leaving a shanty shack.
The couple, dressed exquisitely, is dressed to perform and seem out of place. The young man a musician and she a singer. It is as though they have stepped out from behind a curtain, not from this shanty shack.
He carries a portable music stand, and she a case that I think may contain a musical instrument. They close what would be a makeshift gate behind them and begin walking on the dusty dirt road toward the lovely manicured road. Where they no doubt will deliver a magnificent performance for others to enjoy.
I wonder when others listened to them, will they realize how they live each day? Likely not – because appearances are so deceiving.
As we continue to drive deeper into the colonies, the group has become quiet, knowing this is like nothing they have EVER seen. And the gravity and need seem to settle in.
We arrive at our destination, and we set up our tables. We have kindness and goodness to share in the form of donations – food, and so much more! And although I fear we will run short, I always dread this, I know that today there is a more significant need due to the recent tropical storms that have brought with them up to two feet of rain in some areas.
We are here to ease some of the stresses and help out in whatever way we can. And in no time flat, the area we have been told to set up in begins to fill with women and children from as young as a few months old to teens. There are also a few men who stand back watching.
Our guide explains that we have come with donations from Canada and the United States and that we are here to help, and the smiles come.
We begin with shoes – there are so many without any shoes. Shoes are saved for workdays. And most of these women and men work six days a week. Many are employed at the all-inclusive resorts earning as little as $5.00 per day (not per hour – per day).
Next was the table of toys, books, and a treats for each child, then toothbrushes for all with toothpaste and floss. Down the line – food hampers, clothing, toiletries, household goods, and bedding.
The setup and tear down were about 40 minutes, and just like that, everything we brought was in the hands of those in need.
There is a graciousness in the colonies. A graciousness that fills you up as a volunteer. I’ve been privileged to witness people passing items to each other.
There is no grabbing, no hoarding, and taking for the sake of taking, but rather, it appears more to be receiving what is needed and sharing with others … It’s a beautiful thing.
There are so many stories I could share with you, but instead, I am going to share a few pics of the day.
That day we all filled our cups and made life a bit easier for those in need.
We are jumping off – with bo...
