One of the many ways that the South Texas Human Rights Center contributes positively to this humanitarian crisis is by constructing and refilling water stations to help prevent migrant deaths. Every year, countless people die while crossing the harsh desert scrub land of Brooks County. The water stations prevent more deaths by providing a waystation of relief in an otherwise unforgiving environment. Building and replenishing the water stations is full-time endeavor that requires the aid of multiple volunteers. Please check out this short video that demonstrates how much work goes into the creation of one of these stations.
For our second day in Falfurrias, we surveyed cemeteries with Dr. Spradley and Dr. Gocha from Texas State University and Eddie Canalas from the South Texas Human Rights Center. The cemetery survey project was created to locate all the cemeteries in south Texas that have graves with unidentified migrant remains. Cemeteries in several counties have already been surveyed and mapped and more will be added to this list. The goal is to eventually excavate the remains in these cemeteries, so that they can be analyzed, identified, and then returned to their loved ones.
Today we assisted in surveying a total of 3 different cemeteries. Dr. Spradley used GPS to create maps of each cemetery and plot each unknown grave. This was also our first full day actually working outside. It was a beautiful sunny day, but it was also really hot and humid. We were sweating after the first few minutes of being outside, but we survived a whole day of this so we should be okay for helping with the water stations tomorrow.
As we were surveying, I noticed how beautiful the Texas wildlife was. There were lots of colorful birds and flowers. In some areas, it felt like we were in a jungle and not in Texas at all. Palm trees weaved with tall branching trees and created canopies for us to drive under. We looked out the windows of our truck in wonder. I captured some of this beauty on a short video for you all to enjoy!
We all got the opportunity to volunteer at Missing in Harris County Day today. We had different roles and experiences at the event. Justin, Ryan, Amanda, Helen and Dr. O’Daniel were all in the South Texas intake room being coordinated by the STHRC (South Texas Human Rights Center) and the EAAF (Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team). I was in the atrium for most of the event. You can read about their experiences in the intake room in previous posts. I will tell you a little about the event outside the intake room here.
It was set up not only as a way for families to report a missing loved one but also as an educational event. They had booths with informational resources for families who had missing loved ones and a series a lectures and panel discussions. Additionally, they had an area for young children to play while their families were filling out paperwork.
With Hailey and Eddie at the STHRC booth
I spent most of the event at the STHRC booth talking with attendees about the center along with Hailey Dueker and Eddie Canales.
Families and friends of the missing could put the name of their missing loved one on yellow ribbons. They were able to wear a yellow ribbon and display a yellow ribbon on this tree.
Families and friends of the missing could display pictures and flyers of their missing loved one.
I was invited to participate in a panel discussion called “The Missing and Exploited Discussion Panel”. It included both families of the missing and professionals working to find and identify the missing.
Dr. O’Daniel
I was also able to go back to the intake room a few times to check on progress in there and see what the other UIndy team members were doing. It was amazing to see the flurry of activity in that room. In addition to the STHRC and UIndy, there were volunteers from many organizations represented.
