Plymouth Magazine-Spring26-DIGITAL - Flipbook - Page 16
Entrance to La Casa de la Misericordia y de Todas
la Naciones.
16
Payton McCulloh and Sarah Wigton in front of the
US/Mexico border wall.
Mya Cullenward
Peyton McCulloh
When people think of a desert, many
think of it as a bunch of sand with nothing
but a cactus here and there. In all honesty
that’s what I thought too. But after going
to the conference and visiting this place
that migrants cross, I have found that
idea of a desert to be untrue. The deserts
migrants cross in search of a better life is
so much worse than that idea. They go
through miles and miles of harsh terrain
and huge mountains in nothing but their
street clothes and can only carry a few
things with them on the journey. These
people do not cross the desert to do
wrong; they cross for a better life. They did
not have the geographical luck to be born
in an extremely privileged country; they
instead had to fight for a life in one. I hope
that if more people were aware of this then
maybe more people would be empathetic
towards these people instead of hostile.
Throughout this trip, there were countless
moments and experiences that were
incredibly eye-opening. I met so many
amazing people and learned so many
invaluable lessons. One specific moment
that really sticks out to me took place
on the final day of the conference. We
had just finished listening to a keynote
address and were going outside to eat
lunch on the patio. Once we were out
on the patio though, we noticed a table
that was making cards for people who
were currently being held in detention
centers. We soon found ourselves sitting
at the table and making cards ourselves
(see above). I remember that there was a
specific list of things not to write and a
list of suggested phrases we could write.
One thing that shocked me was that we
were not allowed to put any sort of glitter
or really any decorations on the cards.
I specifically remember asking the lady at
the table who appeared to be in charge
if I was allowed to draw a couple small
pictures. She told me that would be okay
and so I ended up drawing a few flowers
and hearts on the inside of the cards. I
also remember that as I was writing these
cards, I was trying to picture the people
who were going to be receiving them and
wishing I could give these people more
than a card. I wished I could give them
a hug and look them in the eyes and
tell them that they are not forgotten. I
wished I could do more than just writing
a card. I was the last person in our group
to leave that table and looking back now,
I wish I would have stayed longer. I wish
I would have drawn one more flower,
one more heart, and written one more
hopeful message.
Mural at La Casa de la Misericordia y de Todas la Naciones.
