She left feeling a little less helpless

We make a point at Casa Unidos to remain present to our community, opening the door to whatever our neighbors are dealing with. This one took me by surprise.

After my lunch break today, I was greeted by Isabel. In her hometown of Copala, Guerrero, her brother Rogelio had become the successor after the mayor was assassinated. In a city riddled with corruption, Rogelio was arrested and is believed to have been falsely charged with the assassination.

Isabel, in turmoil and unable to reach her brother, came to our door asking for guidance—and also for a place to vent(I assume). She asked if we could write to the President of Mexico, requesting intervention. Not entirely sure how to reach a president, I admitted I wasn’t sure if we could find her contact information, but I told her I would try.

We managed to find where her brother was being held and helped her access her email account and supported her writing three emails. One was sent to three human rights organizations with offices in her home state, another to the governor, and a third to a few news outlets, all demanding intervention, transparency, and a chance for her to speak with her brother. We printed copies and wrote down the email addresses so she could encourage her family to send their own messages as well.

She left feeling a little less helpless, and with a heartfelt thank you.

-Ester Ocampo