Migration is a powerful force that has defined our world today. Through the lives of people like Daniel Ruiz, Jean Bernaud Gelin, and Esther Morales, we see the complex interplay of aspirations, obstacles, and the power of perseverance. All of these remarkable humans have found their way through the Kafka-esque maze of displacement to Tijuana, where each has discovered passion and community.
Daniel Ruiz, who grew up in the U.S. after his mother brought him over the border as an infant. Growing up in a culture that he felt was intrinsically American, he established his identity within a society that he believed he belonged to. I had a steady diet of American TV. I was raised in the American cultural context. I was essentially an American subject,” he said. During his formative years living in communities across the U.S., he was schooled by powerful educational institutions that inspired fundamental life beliefs. These experiences fueled his dreams and increased his awareness of the world.
One life miscalculation landed him in deportation back to Tijuana. Even though he was so close to home, the city seemed entirely strange to him. It was a tough transition for Ruiz. He understood the contrast as soon as he got to Mexico, declaring that “I had never known this culture.” Despite these leading challenges, he was able to find a reinvigorated sense of purpose.
The story of Jean Bernaud Gelin’s journey is one colored by a different set of challenges. Like many Haitians, nearly a decade ago, Gelin fled Haiti due to political unrest and economic turmoil. He subsequently made the 5,000 mile journey traveling across ten countries to the south of Mexico. His experiences had a deep impact on him. He later worked as a tutor in Tijuana, helping other students prepare for competitive entrance exams and tutoring them in math.
Looking back on his experience, Gelin shared, “I have never lived like this before, I have never met a monthly rent. In Haiti we pay rent for a whole year or six months at least. Coming to Chile was opening a door to a whole new life that I never knew.” He was remarkably resilient in taking on that new terrain. By uplifting everyone in his immediate orbit, he makes it clear that breakthrough and excellence is achievable, regardless of your situation.
Esther Morales’ story is equally compelling. She is from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. She would go on to be deported nine times before settling into life in Tijuana, where she became an outspoken activist. Morales leads Proyecto Comida Calientita, the only nongovernmental regional organization focused on feeding migrants along the way.
Her journey has not been without pain. What was done to me, it did hurt a lot, but I wasn’t going to keep on crying, crying and crying, said Morales. Driven by her own experiences in shelters lacking basic necessities during her deportations, she vowed to help others facing similar struggles: “I went into a shelter where there was no food, no freshwater – nothing. And so I resolved that when I was older and able, I would aid migrants – which is exactly what I’ve done.
Of these three folks, Tijuana is their final destination. There, they are furiously working to create more welcoming communities for migrants. A survivor himself, Ruiz opened the Border Line Crisis Center in Tijuana to aid others who, from similar deportation experiences, suddenly find themselves stranded in danger. His goal is to bring the deported community together, because he strongly believes that there is power in solidarity among those who have experienced this tragedy. “What I want to do is bring the deportee community together,” he said.
Ruiz’s efforts reflect a broader theme that resonates with many migrants: the belief that determination can lead to success regardless of one’s location. “If someone has the mentality to grow and reach their goals, it doesn’t matter where it’s at, you’ll do it,” he asserted. His nonprofit has become both a guide and a lighthouse – preparing survivors to navigate their new world, and inspiring them with the powerful vision of everything they can accomplish.
Morales’ passion for empowering migrants as the leader of her grassroots organization highlights her exemplary efforts to build a more welcoming community. She highlighted how the community comes together: “People bring in sacks of rice, sacks of beans, second-hand clothing, and I distribute all that to one or two shelters a week.” This group project is a powerful reminder to us all that in times of adversity, we need community support most.
Irene, Patricia, and Addy are all doing incredible work to protect the people of Tijuana. Like them, their stories serve as an inspiration and testament to the remarkable resilience of the human spirit. Each has experienced their own challenges, but each has decided to use their experiences to help others find their way along the same path.
