At the September 14, meeting, Lynwood Rotary members and guests heard a presentation from a young man from Honduras who was severely injured as a result of falling off a train in Mexico while traveling north to the US discussed a number of issues and ideas.
The man is Jose Luis Hernandez. His interpreter was Samuel Temblador from the organization, Jovenes, Creating Homes, Community for Youth.
Fr. Richard Estrada, Pastor of Church of the Epiphany in Lincoln Heights, had intended to be the translator for Jose Luis Hernandez, but in a conversation two days earlier, he stated that he had to attend a meeting with the Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, about immigration issues. Fr. Estrada described himself as a strong supporter of Jose. Arturo Reyes stated he was hoping to see Fr. Estrada, because 40 years ago, he said, he worked with Fr. Estrada on immigration matters.
Samuel Temblador, of Jovenes, noted that Fr. Estrada was a founder of Jovenes, Inc. and now is a Board member. Sam explained that Jose is taking English classes and also attends Puente Learning Center, a community school for students needing a nontraditional school. A graduate of UCLA, Sam got involved through AmeriCorps, which is a government run program that promotes national volunteer and community service with nonprofit organizations.
Jose started his comments and then paused for Sam to translate. On the back of Jose's
T-shirt were the following words: Los Sobrevivientes de el Tren. The Survivors of the Train, the Beast.
After his severe injury in 2006, Jose was receiving treatment in Honduras for two years. Several years later, he organized a group of youth to charter a bus trip to the US, with the plan to meet with President Obama, about the conditions in Honduras, and the need to improve living conditions there so that there will no longer be a need for many to seek a better life in the US. The bus trip happened but the planned visit with Obama did not happen. But now residing in the US, Jose is the head of the organization named AMIREDIS, Association Migrantes Retornados con Dicapacidad.
Jose referenced a brochure for AMIREDIS which includes a photo of Jose speaking to a group. Excerpts from Jose's statements in the brochure include the following quotes: " I seek to generate the political willpower within the US and Honduran Governments in order to resolve immigration issues. … My own story is that after 20 days of travel on foot and by hopping cargo trains, enduring thirst, hunger, and persecution as a migrant in Mexico, I was riding on a train coupling, taking off my shoes because my feet had swollen from so much walking, when suddenly all was dark. I fell under the train, which amputated my leg, my arm, and part of my other hand. By some kind of luck, the place where I fell was in a city called Delicias, Chihuahua, and people were able to get to me in time, which is how I'm still alive. … As a survivor, I want [people] to understand that migration only happens because of some cause in Central America, Mexico, or some other country. … It is impossible for me to regrow my amputated leg or my arm. But it is indeed possible to stop others from becoming amputees if we can gather the political will to stop the problem at its roots by fostering favorable life conditions so that people can find alternatives in their countries, so that the promised land people seek in the US will be in their own countries."
Before the presentation, President Joe Wang, encouraged members to come to the City of Lynwood Employees Appreciation event, at the Natatorium on Sat, Sep 16, from 11am to 3pm. Rotary members should arrive at 10:30am. The City requested Rotary members to help with the organization of this event. (Note: a total of five members did attend this event and helped with the sign-in procedures for city employees and their family members.)
Daniel encouraged Rotary members to come to the Lynwood Union Gallery event scheduled later on Thursday, Sep 7, from 5pm to 8pm, with the artist Michael Lara, noting that there will also be music. (For the record, there were six Rotary members and three Rotary supporters, such as Maria Viera, who attended this Lynwood Union Gallery event on Thursday evening, Sep 7.)
Joe Wang reminded everyone that at the Sep 21 meeting, Jerry Brown, Chief of Staff for Rotary District 5280, will induct three candidates into the Lynwood Club: Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, New Superintendent for the Lynwood Unified School District, and also Alejandra Avalos and Angel Farias. All members were encouraged to bring a guest, in order to have a big turnout for this important Rotary Club event.
Maria Viera, as Block Watch Treasurer, thanked the club for its donation of hot dogs and buns and relishes for the 2017 National Night out Event on Aug 1. College age guest Jeffrey Davis attended his first Rotary meeting and Daniel encouraged him to come back for the Sep 21 meeting for the induction of the three candidates into the Rotary Club.
Daniel Miller / Omar Franco / Rowland Becerra
Public Relations and Community Outreach for the Lynwood Rotary Club