I have returned to El Paso and am volunteering with Annunciation House providing hospitality to refugees, migrants, and immigrants. This is my third year and my third shelter. Each year is different and yet has many of the same characteristics.
I’ve been assigned to the flagship house. The people who come to stay have mostly been brought to us by ICE. Many don’t stay long-one to three days. We provide beds, food, and some help in getting to family or friends in other places.
Other people have injuries from crossing over, often falling off the wall. This usually presents as broken ankles and legs and these people stay longer due to ongoing medical cases, surgical consults, etc.
everyone helps out while they are here. Cleaning, cooking, watching kids. As volunteers we spend time answering questions, gathering supplies, overseeing and planning meals and cleaning, doing laundry. This is shared with out of town volunteers and community volunteers, depending on the day and the shift and what is needed. There is also someone who sleeps in the office overnight on a fold out cot in case of emergency for our guests. Usually we get to sleep right through, but sometimes there are people who need meds.
At the beginning of a stay, out of town volunteers have an orientation with Ruben who is the director and has been with Annunciation House from the beginning. He said that 40 years ago, asking people why they have come the answer was “I am afraid” or “I couldn’t eat”. He says now the answers are the same. No one really wants to leave their own country, their own home. They feel that they don’t have a choice. For themselves or their families.
