Stranded in Guatemala

Stranded in Guatemala

If you know someone that can help us please reach out by commenting here or emailing uncptoutreach@gmail.com.

We came to Guatemala on a service trip with UNC to help others, but now we’re the ones that need help. While our first few days were filled with acts of service and exploration, we now face rapid changes regarding our safety and ability to get home. On Monday, March 16^th, the President of Guatemala, announced that the country will be suspending all incoming and outbound flights. The border closure will not be re-evaluated for another 15 days with the potential for us to be here indefinitely. As the mandatory quarantine begins, the citizens here are fearful of the virus and of the foreigners who may be carrying it right now.

While we want to do our part to contain the virus, we are worried about our safety and this country’s ability to help us if we were to need it. Several of us have conditions, such as asthma, that could lead to secondary complications if one of us were to contract the virus. In addition, we are pushing for help NOW because while Guatemala’s borders are closed, the US borders remain open and that might not be the case in the future. Commercial airlines have canceled flights into mid-April or mid-May. So while we know we are not the only ones needing help, we are hopeful that our request will be heard in a timely manner, as our situation is time sensitive. 

Background

One of the appeals of the UNC Division of Physical Therapy program is an annual service-learning trip to Guatemala, available as an elective in our third year. While here, we work with the local therapists in a long term care facility and host health fairs in small towns. We were supposed to leave Wednesday, March 18,^th but as the situation changed rapidly, 4 of our classmates and one professor were able to book flights for Monday and leave the country before the border closed. While some of us attempted to book flights to leave a day early on Tuesday, all flights were canceled when the border closed Monday at midnight. There are 6 cases of COVID here total. Since the situation changed so rapidly, UNC Global did not have a chance to act quickly enough to evacuate us before the border closed, which is why we need your help now.

The economy in Guatemala is highly dependent on tourism, and we are worried about the infrastructure breaking down while were here, limiting healthcare, running water, and electricity that keep us in contact with our loved ones. We understand that the rest of the world is also panicked and isolated. Our intent is not to discount anyone else’s feelings. However, on top of everything going on, we are also worried about our safety and being forgotten in the midst of the chaos. As each day goes by, our chances of leaving decline because of the rapidly changing status of COVID-19. We are doing everything we possibly can to ensure we are a priority for evacuation as soon as the border opens.

Thank you! We love you and miss you. We hope to be home soon.

THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING OUR SENATORS. They are working on helping us and do not need any more calls on our behalf today.

Sincerely,

Sara Galante (Raleigh, NC)
Kristen Fontela Massey (Raleigh, NC)
Erica Ghigliotty (Durham, NC)
Karla Kyte (Chapel Hill, NC)
Shelby Miller (Blowing Rock, NC)
LaCorey Cunningham (Charlotte, NC)
Leslie Rainey (Winston Salem, NC)
Lisa Johnston (Cary, NC)
Karen McCulloch (Chapel Hill, NC)
Katie Ollendick (Athens, GA)