We went to the Agencia Municipal Renacimiento in Oaxaca, where we carried out a humanitarian intervention with Juventud CADENA. This community had never received social support or humanitarian aid, and is made up of families who migrated from the countryside due to soil erosion to live near the garbage dump.

Only three years ago the houses were electrified, and so far not all of them have access to drinking water, so they have to pay for a water pipe every week. Given the situation, their state of health and hygiene is greatly affected. These families do not have the income to buy basic necessities and, unfortunately, the children used to work in the garbage dump, and for several years now schools have been built to provide access to education.

Faced with this situation, CADENA delivered electric stoves so that they can replace the stove and thus reduce the contact with smoke. We also brought them basic necessities such as clothing, blankets, hygiene kits and tuna fish.

The CADENA Youth team also conducted interviews to get to know them and better understand their needs. Signs of violence, extreme poverty, child labor, among others, were identified. However, they also found stories of love and hope. Humanitarian aid is given with humanity, and this one-on-one approach demonstrates that the line between beneficiary and volunteer can no longer exist.

The impact generated by the winter frosts has left the population living in the Sierras de Guerrero in an extremely vulnerable situation. Therefore, we decided to carry out the Chilpancingo Humanitarian Intervention (which is part of the Cold Brigade 2021 – 2022), in which we helped to combat the low temperatures. The communities to which the aid was provided are: Izotepec, Xoxomanatlán, Omiltemi, Chautipán and Las Joyitas. We impacted the lives of 661 families with the delivery of supplies; in addition, we provided 39 medical consultations, 18 dental consultations and a dental health prevention workshop. Special thanks to: Protección Civil Guerrero, Unifin, Steren Mexico and Ropa Federación.

We had the opportunity to conduct a retreat to absorb and impart knowledge about leadership and humanitarian intervention. The retreat, called Tikun Olam Leadership Retreat (TOLR), became a mission of resilience, in which we learned about the various types of leadership, in addition to trying to better understand the world, and in relation to others, continue to grow. The experience reached its full realization as we put the knowledge acquired into practice in Zongolica, Veracruz, providing help to those in need, truly appreciating what Tikun Olam is. At the same time, the TOLR was also a space for coexistence, recreation and fun. What initiative can you make your own to help heal the world?