The project: Information Diffusion in Latin America
TSF works with centers along the migration route in Latin America to display essential, reliable and timely information on remote-controlled screens. The humanitarian information focuses on topics such as human rights, administrative procedures, health, education, and more.
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Luis*. I've been here at the shelter for a year and a month, and everything that comes on the screen is fantastic for someone who is an immigrant, like us from Honduras.
(*Name changed for safety reasons.)
[I left my country to] have a future, wherever I can find it.
What was your intention when you left Honduras?
Well, half the world has those ideas, but since God is the one who decides things along the way, it's great that you are accompanying us immigrants, because you have information on the screens and it clarifies things for us.
Why did you leave your country?
Well, to have a future, wherever I can find it, whether in Mexico, the United States, wherever.
In our country there are always situations like, last time there was Mitch, which was a really terrible hurricane. And then there were other hurricanes recently, but definitely over there it's... politics, well, it's looking pretty bad.
So, you don't like the way things are. And another thing is that maybe you're in your city, and someone wants to rule you by telling you that you can't go out on the street after ten o'clock, that they're going to take away what you have. And also, if you go to a store and someone from the gangs is there, you have to cooperate with them. And maybe you don't like that, because you're already old and another thing is… I wasn't born that way, I was born another way, right? Not in this era, which is more dangerous.
(TSF: And that's why you decided to move? Because of the danger? Because you didn't like the political context?) Because I had already been through Mexico and I always see that the situation is different here than there.
How do you feel here at the shelter?
Oh, thank God the shelter exists, because I've been here for a year and I've never had any problems. I always have food, I'm always here, [organizations] come, just like you. Doctors Without Borders, they helped there, they gave medical care and everything.
The information on the screens clarifies things for us.
Health, for example, which is essential for everyone. It's very helpful, you feel happy because you realize that you didn't know that and now you do. If you're tired, then they try to give you advice, to breathe and everything.
Anything else?
The best thing is that when people come to give talks, there's a screen that you can watch. It's very informative, because in some of the talks given by those who stay in Arizona, you see that the situation there isn't good.
[To people on the move:] just be careful about everything, because it's not the same as they tell you, as when you're living it and there are few who support you.
