In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there are acts of generosity among Latinos in southern California.
Julio Peralta, a single father who was evicted from the room he rented along with his two youngest children, one of them with disabilities, received a lucky break this week when a good Samaritan decided to donate a van to him.
"A man who heard her story on a radio program approached Mujeres de Hoy – an organization to support those who are victims of domestic violence – and donated $ 1,000," says Mayra Todd, founder and director of Mujeres de Hoy. Today.
But not satisfied with that, realizing the situation that Julio is going through with his 12-year-old daughter who was born with spina bifida, he decided to support them with between $ 12,000 and $ 13,000 to buy them a Van vehicle fitted for the wheelchair of the less.
"Julio does not have a car, and he needs it a lot to transport his daughter to school and to his therapies," says Mayra.
The good Samaritan is Juan Ríos from Guanajuato, Mexico, owner of a plumbing company in Los Angeles. “Together with him we are looking for the best car option for Julio and his family. Juan has said that if the Van pickup costs more than $ 13,000, he is willing to put in the rest, "says Mayra.
While Julio comments that he feels very grateful that the vehicle "will fall like a ring on his finger" to meet the needs of his daughter.
Julio Peralta, 45, emigrated from Guatemala to the United States three and a half years ago, along with his daughter Olga Margarita, who is now 12 years old, and his son David, 16 years old.
"The real reason we came to this country was to seek medical treatment for my daughter," he says.
Spina bifida is a birth defect that Olga Margarita was born with that occurs when the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. It causes paralysis and being unable to walk.
Julio has found it difficult to obtain political asylum for himself and his children. "I did not come to this country for violence, harassment or persecution. So the lawyers I've consulted tell me that I don't have a case. That I should have asked for humanitarian asylum in Guatemala, but I did not. I didn't know, "he says.
His immigration situation has made it very difficult for him and his two children to rent a house.
“I have only been able to rent one bedroom. But due to the care my daughter requires, it is very difficult for me to couple the role of dad and worker ”.
This means that Julio often cannot stay on the job, and he is wrong to pay the rent.
"We have had to accept many insults, offenses and humiliations from the landlords. But for my children I don't throw in the towel. The owners of the rental house do not care if you eat a piece of their fruit or grab food from their house, as long as you pay the rent, "he says.
Evicted from his rented room in the San Fernando Valley, after living in a homeless hostel and motel, this father ended up renting a room for $ 800 in Riverside.
"Because of the coronavirus, I have been out of a job since March 15, but fortunately tomorrow I am going to start in a warehouse from 2 in the afternoon to 12 at night," he says. Your 16-year-old son will remain in the care of the child under 12 years old.
The only advantage we've had in this country, he says, is that his daughter has access to MediCal, California's health insurance for low-income people. "They have already done four operations," he says.
In the midst of his precarious conditions and the many challenges he faces, he says he does not lose hope of finding immigration relief that will allow him and his family to stay in the country so that his daughter can continue receiving medical care.
