Relief for Acapulco: How ACEP members got 500 Resources for Resilience brochures to people in need
When hurricane Otis slammed Acapulco as a category 5 storm, everyone united to help the people in need. The storm had caused widespread destruction in the state of Guererro, where half the population lives in poverty. In the aftermath of the storm, both government and private agencies worked to provide relief for Acapulco. Ozono Polaris, a company dedicated to social responsibility, began collecting water, food, 500 Resources for Resilience (R4R) brochures, and devising a plan. The 500 R4R brochures were divided among three friends who were also going to the aid of Acapulco as a way to reach as many communities as possible. This is one of the stories.
Meet our hero
Margaret MacKay Avila is the daughter of David MacKay, a longtime ACEP member and current Board treasurer. They live in Puebla, Mexico. David is the co-founder and owner of Ozono Polaris, where Margaret serves as human resources coordinator. Part of her job is corporate social responsibility.
Change of plans, and a new opportunity
Initially, Margaret thought of sending donations to the Red Cross. Plans changed, however, when she learned that a colleague who had family in the area was making the drive every three days to deliver aid. On Saturday, November 4, just ten days after Otis made landfall, Margaret and her companion, Ramiro, packed the company’s 1.5 ton truck and started off on the six-and-a-half-hour journey to Acapulco. As they neared their destination, she says, the devastation became painfully palpable.
“Trees stood stripped of their leaves, some even uprooted from the earth. The harvest was lost, and the landscape bore the scars of Otis's fury.”
The town of Chilpancingo had become a lifeline for people who had access to cars. There, the team made their first delivery to the alma mater of one of the project’s collaborators. They refueled and continued their journey.
As the team drove along, they met displaced people from Metlapil who had walked to the roadside, searching for aid. Margaret and Ramiro, along with other passersby, offered them water and other provisions. The people shared their stories, telling of roofs blown away, homes submerged in water, belongings ruined.
“We handed them bundles we had prepared, along with bottles of water, cans of tuna, cookies, and the ACEP flyer. The look of gratitude in their eyes fueled our determination,” Margaret says.
Relief for Acapulco: Delivering aid and 500 R4R brochures
As they neared Acapulco, the team faced a heart-wrenching sight of destruction. Margaret says that the smell of decay lingered in the air.
Their second stop was in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Acapulco, where they met a contact who would deliver provisions to the resort town Pie de la Cuesta.
Next, they headed to the historic El Pozo de la Nación, where Ramiro’s nieces live. They delivered packages with water, food, and the R4R brochures. As the team left, they saw tears welling up in the residents’ eyes. It was clear their visit meant a lot.
Then they visited contacts in Acapulco’s Jardin Palmas neighborhood, where they delivered more groceries and R4R brochures. When they asked about areas that still hadn't received help, the locals joined the team in distributing aid packages at the community of Nueva Era. Margaret says that it was hard to leave. Unfortunately, they couldn’t spend time with each person, hear their stories, and provide emotional support. However, they took heart in the thought that the R4R brochures would aid them in their emotional healing journey.
Their fifth stop involved delivering a tagged donation for a family friend, Hugo Sánchez. Although he failed to be at the meeting point Margaret did not give up. Instead, she entrusted his box at “Los Cocos” with a beautiful family who promised to deliver when he came by.
The next morning, Sanchez sent a thank you note and pictures of his family.
Looking forward
At the end of a long and exhausting day, Margaret reflected on her journey. She has a feeling that the need is enormous, and for now, the team jumps at any opportunity to help.
And they aren’t finished. Margaret and Ramiro plan to travel again on November 11th with a donation of fruits and vegetables, and more R4R brochures, to Bajos del Ejido. They have agreed to stay the weekend and hope to share the Trauma Relief Techniques with the community. The following weekend, Margaret will accompany a friend as she continues the mission and join a caravan to be able to help some more.
The whole experience was incredibly moving and intense, she says. “I urge you to continue sending healing energy, prayers, and donations to Acapulco. They are in dire need of our support and assistance.”
Doing our part
If you want to contribute to efforts like Margaret’s, support ACEP. Are you a clinician or stakeholder wanting to bring energy psychology to your community? Enroll in ACEP’s free R4R training.
Author
Sarah Murphy, LPC, ACP-EFT, is an ACEP board member and communications committee chair. She is a counselor in private practice and specializes in working with people who have serious illnesses.
With gratitude to David MacKay and Margaret MacKay Avila for contributing to this story, and of course, for their humanitarian outreach!
