On August 23, through the program “Cabecitas Blancas” (little white heads), the Institute for the Development of the Maya Culture of the State of Yucatan (Indemaya), delivered visas and passports to 60 adults of advanced age to be able to go and see their children who emigrated many years ago to the United States in search of a better life.
The general director of that institute, Charito Cetina, accompanied by teacher Ofelia Bello de Zapata, after giving a few words to the beneficiaries, deivered the corresponding documents so that they can prepare for the long-awaited trip.
The senior citizens asked several questions including if they can take their medicines with them, because many suffer from some disease, as well as how much should their suitcase weigh, if they can carry Yucatecan sweets, etc.
The ladies and gentlemen will fly in two groups, one at the end of this month and the other at the beginning of September, to different parts of the U.S and, in this regard, they stated that they were very happy to see their children who have been away for more than 10 years.
These men and women will spend two months in the U.S along with their relatives, who are paying for all their expenses and anxiously await for them. It is worth mentioning that several of them still don’t have visa and passport, but they have the support and advice of Indemaya.
Alejandro Pacheco Cámara, one of the gentlemen who will travel abroad, said he has not seen his daughter for 30 years and he really wants to talk to her, hug her, meet his grandchildren.
He will turn 70 and his wife, Florentina, who died last February, managed to travel there last year. On this occasion, he managed to get the help of INDEMAYA and was fortunate that the consulate approved his visa.
Pacheco Cámara is from Oxkutzcab and said that, although he is going to travel this time, he prefers to be in his land because he grew up here and likes to be tend to his animals and orchard.
In the three years that Cetina has been the head of Indemaya, 450 visas have been issued and now that a new administration is coming in, she hopes to continue helping the elderly people of Yucatan.
TYT Newsroom with information from: laverdadnoticias.com
