2,000km Apart: A Young Mother's Asylum Journey

Over 108 million people - a number far too large to compute, yet this is the population size of those that live in displacement across the world.

Each person who finds themselves seeking refuge, safety and security, brings with them their own journey, their own context and their own dreams.

Ana María is no different.

Though her tale is, of course, unique to her – there are lessons to be learnt about the plight that millions of people find themselves in, most crucially how a little support can go a long way.

Ana María's journey begun amidst the backdrop of her homeland’s El Salvador's unsafe reputation.

A nation that has struggled with controlling crime, with it holding the unwanted title of the world's highest murder rate in 2015, according to the UNHCR between 2006 and 2016, 1.1% of families in El Salvador were forcibly displaced.

Ana María has first-hand experience of the aforementioned perils of her country.

“My life was in danger due to a business I had and my daughter’s dad was murdered, well kidnapped, he’s been missing for ten years, they never found a body.

“There were people that would come to my house to intimidate me, “she continued, “that is why I left, I was afraid.”

Faced with imminent danger, she made a sudden exit, leaving behind her four daughters—a poignant sacrifice driven by the need to secure her immediate safety.

"It was very difficult because when I left it was a hurried situation. I didn’t have enough money to bring my daughters with me,” said Ana María.

Even though she was seeking to escape the danger of El Salvador, the road to safety, like for so many displaced people, was also fraught with risk, as Ana María faced an attempted kidnapping herself near Tapachula.

Having met a group, amongst whom there were some other Salvadorans, her and her compatriots were offered a ride after crossing the border.

“We all got in the van and they took us to this abandoned field, they wanted to kidnap us but thankfully when we realised it, we got out of the van and started running and we laid down close to a fence to hide and thankfully they gave up.”

“But they wanted to kidnap us because they were asking for phone numbers from family members in the U.S. but none of us had any.”

Even had the kidnappers found Ana María in the field they would not have been able to find any phone numbers as the Salvadoran woman did not have a phone with her.

She left her mobile behind so that her daughters could use it do their homework.

Though perhaps this may have turned out to be a blessing in disguise, having no phone meant that she found herself reliant on paying her friends 20 pesos to make a call and then deleting the number she dialled afterwards for fear of any potential repercussions.

As a partner on the ground to Unconnected.org, the NGO Asylum Access provided Ana María with support in numerous ways including offering her a Ding SIM card that serves as a shield against isolation and danger.

Ana María rejoiced: "The SIM card helps me because I can talk to my daughters. Thank God!"

The mother of four is in constant communication with her children, having up to five WhatsApp calls a day with them which she describes as ‘so beneficial’.

Her 17-year old daughters, and two other girls aged 14 and 7 are able to receive contact from Ana María as they get ready for school and receive constant reminders to do their homework.

“We talk a lot through video calls and I take pictures of them and post them on my profile sometimes, and they ask me ‘when did I take that photo’ and I say ‘during the video call’.

The support of Asylum Access, however, had come after yet another setback in her journey.

Ana María's end destination in her mind was Monterrey because she had people she knew there.

However, her attempt to reach the North Eastern city was thwarted; she was detained by immigration authorities for 11 days and was sent back the way she came on a 20-hour long journey.

“It was very sad for me because it took so much to get there and being forced to go South again,” she reflected.

The challenges she confronted highlight the harsh realities of the refugee experience, reflecting the legal hurdles that many face and the emotional resilience required to navigate a path to safety.

Thankfully after this, Asylum Access emerged as a salvation in Ana María's ongoing plight.

Through a human rights-based approach, that focuses on legal empowerment and practical tools like getting Ana María set up with the Ding SIM card, the organisation became a great source of support in helping her attain her permanent resident status.

Ranking fourth globally in the list of countries that displaced people apply for asylum to, Mexico is where the Salvadoran envisages her and her family’s future.

Having fallen in love with Mexican cuisine, having been enamoured with Mayan art, and having gained an appreciation for Mexican culture, Ana María is grateful for what Mexico has provided her with.

Her dream is ‘to have my daughters here with me so that they can continue to study and reach their goals’.

Whilst she would like to one day get a culinary degree her priority is for her children to go to college to be able to obtain a profession.

She has heard of job opportunities in Cancún, which excite her but is first focused in working with solicitors to get her daughters repatriated.

Once again, her Ding SIM card proved vital in being able to maintain contact with the Asylum Access team who are assisting her in this process.

Ana María's advice to fellow refugees or other people who might find themselves in a similar position encapsulates the great level of wisdom that a journey like this forces people to gain.

“I would say they need to patient, very patient because things get better with time.”

She pondered: “When you rush, things don’t go well.”

Her unwavering determination shines through, and serves as an inspiration for others traversing similar paths, stating, “I know I am going to make it.

“I will provide for my daughters and have them with me.”