Week 2 in Tapachula

There are many things that make Tapachula a unique place. The, almost too often, unbearable heat is one of them.  It gets really hot here and very humid, it makes the hottest days of summer in the Sunshine Coast feel like winter. Interesting fact: the temperature here is the same all year round.  I could write a whole blog post without any trouble about the heat on this corner of the world.

Tapachula is not your average tourist destination as it isn’t picture perfect and it definitely doesn’t feel like a place where one would like to spend a vacation. But it does have a lot of character and is a very Mexican city. You have to look hard to find the glimpses of magnificence here, but once you find them they are captivating. We have found beauty in the laid back beaches, the cooler mountain villages, the coffee farms and powerful waterfalls that are located just outside Tapachula. There is beauty found in the city's towering volcanoes, in the colourful walls of Puerto Madero's beach shacks and in the many smiles of Mision Mexico's children.

Unfortunately, Tapachula is a clear result of its location, ‘the Gateway to Central and South America’. The region is almost no mans land where poverty-fueled crime and violence are a daily occurrence. Guatemala is only 15 minutes away where hopefuls chasing the 'American dream' cross the river and illegally enter the Mexican nightmare. It is ironic how they travel north in search of a better life but everything goes south instead.

Human migration leads to a snowball of issues that take place in this area making safety a concern. Poverty scars can be noticed all throughout the city where most people struggle daily just to get by.  And as it is often the case children are the ones who suffer the most. The hardship that children endure for something that is out of their hands is beyond belief.  This is where Mision Mexico comes into play.

Mision Mexico has created a haven where one can feel safe. It is an oasis in the heart of the city where kids are provided with shelter, food, water, education, health and everything that covers their important needs. Additionally, kids are empowered to develop and follow their own passions from sports, to dancing, playing music and many other arts. They’re given a second chance at life, a chance that will see them through and help them have a better future.

One thing that Mexico is known for is all of its festivities and Mother’s Day is second to none, it is on May 10 and on that day we had a big celebration at Mision Mexico where all the kids celebrated with mum (Pam Skuse). Songs, home made cards and an abundance of hugs and kisses were the order of the day. It was so special to see all the love given to mum by her children. Her unconditional love is endless and I felt so grateful to witness those special moments again.