A Mother, a Daughter, a Deadly Journey: An Update | The Daily

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” journalist Julie Turkewitz and photographer Ferre Gourios embark on a dangerous journey through the Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle strip between Colombia and Panama. They aim to understand the rising number of migrants attempting this deadly route. Along the way, they encounter Sara, a six-year-old girl, and her mother Alexandra, as well as other migrants facing physical and emotional struggles. This episode sheds light on the challenges faced by migrants and the human stories behind their journeys.

Main Takeaways

Dangerous Trek Through the Darien Gap

• The Darien Gap is a narrow jungle strip between Colombia and Panama, known for its dangerous terrain and wildlife.
• Historically, a small number of migrants crossed the gap, but in the last two years, the number has risen dramatically to nearly 250,000 people in 2022.
• The pandemic’s economic impact in South America has driven many to seek a way out, leading to an increase in people attempting the perilous journey through the Darien Gap.

An Intimate Look at Migrant Journeys

• Journalist Julie Turkewitz and photographer Ferre Gourios decided to experience the trek themselves to understand the contradiction between the harsh terrain and the rising numbers of migrants.
• Their journey started in Nicoll Clee, Colombia, where migrants must cross a gulf to reach the jungle’s entry point.
• They observed the organized operation of boat companies transporting migrants and joined a group of about 100 people, including many children, embarking on the journey through the jungle.
• The trek was arduous, with steep terrain and intense heat, leading to emotional and physical struggles for the migrants, including children.

The Story of Sara and Alexandra

• An encounter with a six-year-old girl named Sara and a man named Ankel climbing the challenging Hill of Death.
• Sara’s mother becomes injured, entrusts Ankel with her daughter’s care, and goes missing.
• Sara’s group leaves, and the author and Fede decide to wait and hope to find her mother.
• Sara’s mother, Alexandra, is found with blisters on her feet and shares her journey as a lawyer fleeing Venezuela.
• Alexandra hopes to build a new life in the U.S. and is devastated by being separated from her daughter.

Reunion and Continued Challenges

• At El Auello camp, Anfield decides to move forward to a government camp for separated children, while the protagonist stays behind to wait for Alexandra.
• Alexandra arrives at El Auello, unable to walk, and is desperate to find her daughter, Sarah, without resting or eating.
• They head to a government UN camp together, where Alexandra is finally reunited with Sarah after being separated for three days.
• Alexandra and Sarah continue their journey to the United States but face challenges due to a policy change preventing Venezuelans from entering at the Mexico-US border.
• Alexandra decides to apply for the Humanitarian Parole program but needs a sponsor in the US, and after an article is published, several readers volunteer to sponsor them.

Hope and Struggles of Other Migrants

• Sarah, a Honduran woman, hopes to be accepted to come to the United States.
• She’s in a poverty-stricken, unstable situation, hoping for a better future.
• Anjel, who helped Sarah, made it to the US, earning $140/day as a mechanic.
• Despite difficulties, he feels fulfilled and can support his family.
• Record numbers of people, including Ecuadorians, Chinese, and Afghans, are crossing the Darien Gap to reach the US.
• Despite the danger, many see the potential reward as worth the risk.

Summary

Dangerous Trek Through the Darien Gap

The Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle strip between Colombia and Panama, has seen a significant increase in migrants attempting to cross it in recent years. The economic impact of the pandemic in South America has driven many to seek a way out, leading to a rise in people taking on the perilous journey through the gap. This episode explores the challenges and risks faced by migrants in this dangerous terrain.

An Intimate Look at Migrant Journeys

Journalist Julie Turkewitz and photographer Ferre Gourios embark on the same journey as migrants through the Darien Gap to understand the contradiction between the harsh terrain and the rising numbers of migrants. They witness the organized operation of boat companies transporting migrants and join a group of about 100 people, including children, on the trek through the jungle. The physical and emotional struggles faced by the migrants, especially the children, are highlighted.

The Story of Sara and Alexandra

The podcast recounts the encounter with Sara, a six-year-old girl, and her mother Alexandra. Sara’s mother becomes injured and entrusts Sara’s care to a man named Ankel before going missing. The author and her companion decide to wait and hope for the mother’s return. When Alexandra is found with blisters on her feet, she shares her journey as a lawyer fleeing Venezuela in search of a better life in the U.S. The devastating separation from her daughter adds to her hardships.

Reunion and Continued Challenges

After a period of waiting, Alexandra arrives at El Auello camp, unable to walk and desperate to find her daughter, Sarah. They eventually reunite at a government UN camp after being separated for three days. However, their journey to the United States is not without challenges. A policy change prevents Venezuelans from entering at the Mexico-US border, forcing Alexandra to apply for the Humanitarian Parole program. The support of readers who volunteer to sponsor Alexandra and Sarah gives them hope.

Hope and Struggles of Other Migrants

The episode also sheds light on the experiences of other migrants, such as Sarah, a Honduran woman hoping for acceptance to come to the United States. She faces poverty and an unstable situation but holds onto the hope of a better future. Anjel, who successfully made it to the US, finds fulfillment as a mechanic and can support his family. The Darien Gap sees a growing number of migrants from various countries, including Ecuador, China, and Afghanistan, who see the potential rewards as worth the risks.

Conclusion

This episode of “The Daily” provides a compelling and intimate look into the dangerous journey migrants undertake through the Darien Gap. It highlights the challenges, risks, and human stories behind these journeys, emphasizing the desperation and hope for a better life. The experiences of Sara, Alexandra, and other migrants shed light on the complexities and struggles faced by those seeking a new beginning.