The Furious Spinner

On Monday I spoke with two women who volunteer for Humane Borders. Elizabeth and Audrey very kindly told me how a group of people from various walks of life with many different faith traditions decided they wanted to help prevent migrants from dying as they traversed the Arizona desert. How best to do that? Most of the fatalities were caused by dehydration, so the volunteers who became Humane Border decided to put water out in the desert for the migrants. There are now more than eighty watering stations on this side of the border (and they donated some for the other side of the border, too). Each station is marked with a blue flag. Elizabeth told me that she has met people in other states who told her they saw the blue flags and they drank the water, so she has seen firsthand how her work has benefited other.

It seems like such a simple idea, doesn't it? Sometimes I think there is no way to fix all the problems in the world. We've got to do this, that, and the other. I remember someone telling me once that if everyone did just one thing, really devoted time and energy to one thing, then eventually all the things would get fixed. The people at Humane Borders are holding out water to thirsty people. I love the elegance of this solution. When someone is dying of thirst in the desert, I doubt they are thinking about international politics or how to fix global economics. They don't need that. They need water.

Of course, actually putting up and then maintaining these water stations isn't exactly simple. They need to keep the barrels filled with water, replace ones that are stolen or damaged, and regularly pick up litter and replace first aid kits and emergency rations at the water stations.

I admire these people, for their solution, their efforts, and their great kindness.

Labels: Arizona, Humane Borders, migrant issues

All photographs and written material copyright © 2003-2008 by Kim Antieau unless otherwise indicated. May not be used without permission.