CAFEMIN, like manna in the desert

Montserrat Valdivia

Latin America Assistant

As part of the activities carried out during the project day of 'Access to Justice for Migrant Women in Mexico,' a visit was made to the Reception, Training, and Empowerment House for Migrant and Refugee Women and Families (CAFEMIN). This is a home for migrants run by Sister María Magdalena Silva, from the Josephine Congregation.

This centre is about to celebrate 15 years since its foundation, where it has assisted thousands of women and their families. Many stories are kept here, all of them with one thing in common: the search for better living conditions in an unknown country. On our arrival we found a huge courtyard, full of tables and families doing different activities, excited because lunchtime was near. This place is a space where migrants can find calm, rest physically and emotionally, after all the journey they have been through.

CAFEMIN aims to protect and defend the rights of migrant women, adolescents and families. It has a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care to migrant women and their families. It has different areas and services, such as legal, psychological, and medical assistance, social work, food services, accommodation, educational support for children and adolescents, vocational training workshops such as baking and sewing, as well as recreational activities for local integration

We had the opportunity to talk to Sister Magda, who shared with us how happy she is for the development and growth that CAFEMIN has had:

"Fortunately we have not run out of resources, God's providence has been with us. We have learned to diversify our resources and therefore, we have been able to continue with all our services and the entire team. The whole US immigration issue has touched us, but it hasn't impacted us in the same way it has other organizations."

Magda mentioned that although most of CAFEMIN's needs are addressed, the greatest one she identified is "Listening":

"Women have a lot to share, they need to be heard. They don't need advice, they just need someone to give them time, quality time and active listening. They have lived through a lot of experiences and they need to talk and be listened to.

These words have resonated in the hearts of the WUCWO World Women's Observatory team, under the motto "Listening to transform lives", we find the need to listen to migrant women in order to make a difference and be an agent to positively impact their lives through listening.

This visit shows us the importance of listening in the lives of all women, especially those who find themselves in unfavourable situations, but with their courage and the support of organisations such as CAFEMIN, they will be able to continue with their life projects.