Venezuela

Yesterday we crossed the border from Colombia into Ecuador. I suppose I was feeling a bit anxious about it, just not knowing how it would work and whether we would be hustled by people. Actually that was fine, but there were thousands of Venezuelans queuing to cross the border, having travelled through Colombia. Most didn't have passports and so those who were given permission ended up getting little pieces of paper stamped. For us it took hours of standing in different queues trying to be patient, but we knew exactly where we would be sleeping that night. For these people they are homeless, carrying all they could manage from their homes. It was very moving and also terrible seeing so many young children living at this border until their futures are decided. The border police are currently working 24 hours a day trying to process people.

Every day since we arrived in Colombia we've met some Venezuelans. Many are on buses begging, or selling sweets for any small change we might be able to help them with. We've had lots of chances to talk with Venezuelans. The man in the picture below became our friend. Jairo Emilio has crossed illegally from Venezuela without his wife or 4 children who arrived the day we left. He's a Christian and he is trying to make ends meet. This money is all he owns in the world, it used to be enough to buy a car but now is worth absolutely nothing. 

Tonight I had my mobile robbed from me, I've been feeling sad about the photos I've lost and not being able to keep in touch with people; but thinking about all these people who have lost absolutely everything makes my small loss pale into insignificance.

Emelye