GETTING SEPARATED ALONG THE WAY

Photo Credit: RawPixel.com

By Michelle Riboul

I started volunteering at the airport in 2023. It has been a blessing for me to help migrants print their tickets, explain how to navigate through the airport, and just connect with them. I am so grateful to IWC for giving me this opportunity and I am learning so much each week.

I’d like to tell you about a young lady I noticed sitting by the TSA entrance with a young man at her side. I approached them, introduced myself, and asked if they needed help. The young lady had a distant look and did not smile; she gave an impression of extreme sadness.

She answered that everything was taken care of, and she was just waiting for the time to get in. I noticed she was very anxious. I inquired about her pregnancy. I found out that she was about five months pregnant, and the father of her soon-to-be baby was not with her. She lost contact with him towards the end of the journey and had not heard from him since. They had traveled for months through many countries (I think six), and the group split while crossing a forest. She continued alone with her group and could not wait for him to catch up. She did not know where he was and was hoping to hear from him. She was traveling to stay with a relative in the U.S.

The young man who was with her was someone she met on her journey and was helping her. She was very worried. After listening I encouraged her to stay positive and strong for a healthy pregnancy.