At the Jun 20, 2019, Noon, meeting, in the absence of Club President-Barbara Battle , club member Joe Wang called the meeting to order.
The main announcements before the presentation was from member Fernando Millan, who presented a large sign up/ work shift table for fireworks stand. He made particular comment about the need for volunteer adults to provide security each night (by parking their vehicle in front of the sales trailer).
Daniel commented about the special meeting next week on Fri 6pm – 9pm at Bateman Hall for the annual celebration of the change of Rotary Club officers. He encouraged members to bring family and friends to the important annual club event. Daniel also mentioned the importance of everyone bringing one or more items for the silent auction, which is a fund raiser for the club. (As noted at last week's meeting, for the fireworks stand, unpacking of the product can start on Fri morning until about 2pm, in order to leave time to prepare for the important evening event, starting Fri, Jun 28, 6pm, at Bateman Hall. The unpacking can be finished on Sat, Jun 29.)
Presentation of the program: There were brief talks by two immigrants from Honduras, with a translation into English provided by a third immigrant. Their names are Jose Luis Hernandez, Benito Murrilo and Guillermo Armenta. Last year in Sep 2018, Jose Luis Hernandez spoke at a Lynwood Rotary meeting, with assistance from a friend who translated the Spanish from Jose. Daniel showed two photos taken at that Rotary meeting: one was a group photo of meeting attendees and the second photo was of the back side of a T-shirt Jose was wearing with the following wording: LOS SOBREVIVIENTAS DE LA TREN LA BESTIA/ The Survivors of the Train, “La Bestia” (with facebook, email & tel # info).
Benito briefly described his experience of riding the freight train, “La Bestia” and falling of the train with severe injuries, involving a crushed leg and arm. He talked about the difficulties of living in Honduras, with its poverty, violence from organized crime groups and the corruption of the political system. Benito referred to “The Triangle” countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, each of the three countries with difficult conditions in which to live. Benito is now living in housing provided by a immigration support group. He has, he said, four children in Honduras, for which he tries to provide some financial support.
At his second appearance at a Lynwood Rotary meeting, Jose Luis Hernandez also briefly talked about his experiences as an immigrant to the US. Both Jose Luis and Benito returned to Honduras after their injuries from riding the freight train and then managed to travel again to the US, although both were detained about 6 months by US Immigration at the US Border. And in between, apparently obtained a Humanitarian Visa from Mexico. They are now both involved in the lengthy US Asylum process.
Both expressed great appreciation for the support they are receiving from US supporters and they thanked Lynwood Rotary for the invitation to speak. They mentioned Jovenes Inc. which is the US nonprofit organization which supports immigrants with disabilities, such as Jose Luis and Benito have to live with.
Martina Rodriguez spoke about her experience as an immigrant arriving in the U S, she explained, as an immigrant at the age of nine from Zacatecas, Mexico. She noted that “I relate to the problems of survival from countries south of the border,” and “I see this country as the promised land.”
Daniel commented that his source of information for this presentation, both last year and this year is from Fr. Richard Estrada, Asst. Vicar, Church of the Epiphany / Iglesia De La Epifania, Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles. Daniel thanked the three presenters for coming and encouraged them to come back again soon.
Daniel Miller Public Relations/ Community Outreach Lynwood Rotary Club