Dear Friends of Manos Amigas KC,

Our lives have been affected by the Coronavirus in many ways. “Social distancing,” “sheltering in place,” lengthy hand washing, face masks, and empty shelves in markets are things that were not part of our lives just a few months ago. Add to these: layoffs, loss of income, unforeseen medical expenses – and some find their lives completely upended.

There are people who are better able to deal with these new realities than others. In addition, in the U.S. the federal government is providing economic stimulus checks to help people who make less than $75,000 per year. Who knows, though, how long all this will last?

Our friends who live in poor areas of Mexico are also being impacted by the Coronavirus. Factories are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks. Workers are laid off. Food and other necessities are in short supply and those that are available in the colonias have become very expensive – all the more so as the peso has devalued 30% in just a couple of months. 

Even though my family and I are experiencing worry and inconvenience with the COVID-19 outbreak, when I think of our friends in Colonias Anapra and Poleo, what we face here is really quite bearable. How do people “self-isolate”, if they’ve been exposed, when they live in a two-room house? How does a parent feed their children when income has stopped and there is no government assistance?

Reflecting on these realities, I have come to the conclusion that the least I can do is share my federal assistance with those who have no supports. I shall donate half of my share of assistance to Manos Amigas to help families and seniors in need. Perhaps you can join me in some way. 

Thank you,
Deacon Ross
Co-Founder of Manos Amigas KC