For more than 20 years ‘Las Patronas’, a group of volunteers from the tropical heart of Veracruz State have been hurling packed lunches towards speeding trains to the Central American migrants bound north on the dangerous freights headed for the Mexico-U.S. border.
CGTN’s Alasdair Baverstock talks with some of the women as they prepare the food and asks why they continue to show up every day.
overview:
Las Patronas" is a group of women in Veracruz, Mexico, who provide food and water to Central American migrants riding the dangerous freight train known as "La Bestia" ("The Beast"). For nearly 30 years, they have been throwing bags of food and water bottles to migrants clinging to the speeding trains as they travel toward the U.S. border. The group's name comes from their village, La Patrona, and also has a religious connotation, as "patrona" means "patron saint," which is fitting for the hope they offer migrants.
Origin: The group started in 1995 when its founders threw food to migrants on a passing train and realized the need was great.
Activities: They collect and prepare large amounts of food, including rice, beans, and tortillas, and fill bottles with water to give to migrants. They have also established a migrant shelter in Veracruz.
Significance: Las Patronas are a symbol of kindness and resilience for migrants facing a perilous and often deadly journey, where they risk robbery, violence, and accidents.
Recognition: The group has received widespread recognition for its humanitarian work through media coverage, documentaries, and awards.
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