((PKG)) MIGRANT KIDS IN CALIFORNIA
((TRT: 4:18))
((Topic Banner: Helping Migrant Children))
((Reporter/Camera/Editor: Genia Dulot))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Long Beach, California))
((Main characters: 1 male))
((Sub characters: 2 male; 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Robert Garcia, Mayor, Long Beach))
I came when I was five years old and my family immigrated
to the US because the situation back home in Peru was not
good. It was not a lot of jobs, a lot of poverty. And so, I'm just
grateful that so many Americans, when we arrived, were so
helpful and kind to us.
We got a call from the Biden administration to see if we were
willing to host some of the kids and our immediate response
was ‘yes’. There are about 700 kids right now. They’ve got
three meals a day. They're going to school. They're playing.
A lot of the kids are already leaving. They're being reunited
with their family in the United States. Most of them have
family in the US already or with sponsor families as well. The
community’s raising money. They've already raised about
160,000 dollars just for additional support, gift cards for kids,
additional books, materials and a lot of books and toys have
been donated by the community.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((George Weaver, Resident, Long Beach))
They have the Long Beach Book Drive for the migrant kids.
And when I saw it on TV, I’ve been retired for a couple of
years, and I have books in the garage and a lot of them are
kids’ books. My kids have been gone for years and years.
And I say this would be the perfect situation by donating the
books.
((NATS:
We have Sesame Street, Numbers games.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Mohammad Jaffrey, Resident, Long Beach))
When I initially heard, it was actually on the news that Long
Beach was partnering with the federal government to bring
migrant children to the Long Beach Convention Center. And
I was like I want to donate and I'm sure there will be other
people in my network that want to donate. So, I just put it on
my Instagram and, you know, see what would happen and I
raised over 500 dollars. So, the 500 initially, you know,
covered a lot of books and in the email from the mayor,
Robert Garcia, it said both English and Spanish. So, I
wanted to be mindful of that. And luckily, there was a lot of
great books that honored the heritage of the Mexican culture
as well. So, you know, books about [artist] Frida [Kahlo]. I
thought it'd be great to not only raise that money and support
the cause but then also support a local business, which is
why I came here to Lil Devil’s.
((NATS))
((Sarah Benton, Owner, Lil Devil’s Boutique))
I reached out to Mohammad and we just chatted a little bit
back and forth and I told him. I was like, you know, we really
want to be able to match your 500 dollar purchase with a
500 dollar donation on our end.
((NATS))
((Mohammad Jaffrey, Resident, Long Beach))
When it comes to this specific situation of Long Beach
bringing in migrant children, I'm in full support of it. I
understand that it's not a perfect solution and it's a
temporary thing, but I also feel like the situation at the border
is so intense right now, and some of the facilities that I've
seen on the news and from what I've seen depicted in the
media, it just seems like unlivable conditions. So, I feel like
bringing them here and partnering with local border cities
and giving them a place that's a little bit more comfortable
while they figure out a solution, I think, is the best way to go.
((NATS))
((George Weaver, Resident, Long Beach))
It’s just a Band-Aid. It doesn't solve the problem, but it’s
better than the kids coming over and being at the whims of
the coyotes and the other traffickers.
((NATS))
((Robert Garcia, Mayor, Long Beach))
Obviously, my immigration story is a lot different than theirs.
You know, I can't relate directly to their personal trauma. But
immigrating any kid that comes, you know, comes to a new
country and immigrates and doesn't know the language and
is poor and doesn't have resources, does have a shared
experience. And so, I do relate on that level. But I think also
what they've gone through is just unspeakable types of
trauma. And I'm grateful there’s a medical team and there's
counselors and there’s staff that can really protect and take
care of them.
((Sarah Benton, Owner, Lil Devil’s Boutique))
Kids are kids, you know. I see a kid, it doesn't matter where
they're from or what their background is, you know. I think if
a child is in need and a child needs help, then adults, any
adult, should step up and help. Yeah, no matter what.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((TRT: 4:18))
((Topic Banner: Helping Migrant Children))
((Reporter/Camera/Editor: Genia Dulot))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Long Beach, California))
((Main characters: 1 male))
((Sub characters: 2 male; 1 female))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Robert Garcia, Mayor, Long Beach))
I came when I was five years old and my family immigrated
to the US because the situation back home in Peru was not
good. It was not a lot of jobs, a lot of poverty. And so, I'm just
grateful that so many Americans, when we arrived, were so
helpful and kind to us.
We got a call from the Biden administration to see if we were
willing to host some of the kids and our immediate response
was ‘yes’. There are about 700 kids right now. They’ve got
three meals a day. They're going to school. They're playing.
A lot of the kids are already leaving. They're being reunited
with their family in the United States. Most of them have
family in the US already or with sponsor families as well. The
community’s raising money. They've already raised about
160,000 dollars just for additional support, gift cards for kids,
additional books, materials and a lot of books and toys have
been donated by the community.
((NATS/MUSIC))
((George Weaver, Resident, Long Beach))
They have the Long Beach Book Drive for the migrant kids.
And when I saw it on TV, I’ve been retired for a couple of
years, and I have books in the garage and a lot of them are
kids’ books. My kids have been gone for years and years.
And I say this would be the perfect situation by donating the
books.
((NATS:
We have Sesame Street, Numbers games.))
((NATS/MUSIC))
((Mohammad Jaffrey, Resident, Long Beach))
When I initially heard, it was actually on the news that Long
Beach was partnering with the federal government to bring
migrant children to the Long Beach Convention Center. And
I was like I want to donate and I'm sure there will be other
people in my network that want to donate. So, I just put it on
my Instagram and, you know, see what would happen and I
raised over 500 dollars. So, the 500 initially, you know,
covered a lot of books and in the email from the mayor,
Robert Garcia, it said both English and Spanish. So, I
wanted to be mindful of that. And luckily, there was a lot of
great books that honored the heritage of the Mexican culture
as well. So, you know, books about [artist] Frida [Kahlo]. I
thought it'd be great to not only raise that money and support
the cause but then also support a local business, which is
why I came here to Lil Devil’s.
((NATS))
((Sarah Benton, Owner, Lil Devil’s Boutique))
I reached out to Mohammad and we just chatted a little bit
back and forth and I told him. I was like, you know, we really
want to be able to match your 500 dollar purchase with a
500 dollar donation on our end.
((NATS))
((Mohammad Jaffrey, Resident, Long Beach))
When it comes to this specific situation of Long Beach
bringing in migrant children, I'm in full support of it. I
understand that it's not a perfect solution and it's a
temporary thing, but I also feel like the situation at the border
is so intense right now, and some of the facilities that I've
seen on the news and from what I've seen depicted in the
media, it just seems like unlivable conditions. So, I feel like
bringing them here and partnering with local border cities
and giving them a place that's a little bit more comfortable
while they figure out a solution, I think, is the best way to go.
((NATS))
((George Weaver, Resident, Long Beach))
It’s just a Band-Aid. It doesn't solve the problem, but it’s
better than the kids coming over and being at the whims of
the coyotes and the other traffickers.
((NATS))
((Robert Garcia, Mayor, Long Beach))
Obviously, my immigration story is a lot different than theirs.
You know, I can't relate directly to their personal trauma. But
immigrating any kid that comes, you know, comes to a new
country and immigrates and doesn't know the language and
is poor and doesn't have resources, does have a shared
experience. And so, I do relate on that level. But I think also
what they've gone through is just unspeakable types of
trauma. And I'm grateful there’s a medical team and there's
counselors and there’s staff that can really protect and take
care of them.
((Sarah Benton, Owner, Lil Devil’s Boutique))
Kids are kids, you know. I see a kid, it doesn't matter where
they're from or what their background is, you know. I think if
a child is in need and a child needs help, then adults, any
adult, should step up and help. Yeah, no matter what.
((NATS/MUSIC))
