Red Alert Everywhere !
Published on 22.10.2011 - Climate Neutral Pole 2 Pole
Being still in Central America, Nilson is way back behind Farmer
© , Nilson's website
Ernest Nilson's website has just been rebuild : for the ease of everyone who is following his trip. Now we have at least the dates and the cold facts. That's why we know that the traveller and his companion are still in Central America.
That's also how we know that the hurricane Jova (of which nobody speaks about in our european countries) has set off a Re'd Alert all around central America. 152 people were reported killed by the heavy storms in Guatemala, last week, 16 in Honduras and 9 in El Salvador. In addition, more than one hundred people are missing in the same Guatemala, 87 injured and 125 00 had to be evacuated ; because of these critical weather conditions, 74 000 people are living in shelters now.
That's one of the most interesting point of this Pole to Pole voyage if we have to compare it with the one of Pat Farmer. Although both are runing with strong humanitarian interest all along the way, whilst Farmer concentrates himself on the run and on the meetings with the Red Cross people everywhere he passes, raising funds for that organisation, Nilson goes more into the details.
Everytime he has the opportunity to meet relief agencies, he goes for it. Lately he has met the people of the Global Fairness Initiative (GFI). Now we know at least that this agency promotes a more equitable, sustainable approach to economic development for the world’s working poor by advancing fair wages, equal access to markets and balanced public policy to generate opportunity and end the cycle of poverty.
Some days after, NIlson met the doctors and volunteers of Medecins Sans Frontières. His comment : "...Today... I spent the whole day with the MSF team and it was not until I came out on the street that I understood how professional they were and what a respect they have from the people living on the street. Instead of searching for the people, they actually came up to thank us and to ask for our advice. My strongest memory is the family that was living in the garbage. I never really understood why they lived in the garbage and not further away. 'The garbage is an asset and not just garbage. By living close to the garbage the family gets a bigger chance to find food and things to sell from the garbage! Now I understood how important it is to really understand the people that you are helping. The team in Honduras are really spectacular with extreme knowledges in dealing with people on a personal level. What a fantastic experience. Life is easier today in Honduras thanks to Médecins Sans Frontières…".
Soon Nilson will be leaving Honduras. He should hurry up a bit if he wants to joint the polar expeditioners who fly to Antarctica in a very short future.
