La Posada Providencia is a refugee house in San Benito, Texas sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence from Allison Park, PA.  It has seen an influx of immigrants even before all the public attention began with the border crisis.  Just recently La Posada welcomed a mother from Peru who was pregnant, took care of her and her baby, as they have done with so many other pregnant women.  The detention center doesn’t want to deal with pregnancies and so often brings the mothers there because they know they will be given the proper care needed.   This is the story from the young Peruvian mother.

“I am from Peru.  I am 24 years old.  My husband and I had no choice but to leave our home country because of corrupt political organizations that were growing at a dangerous rate.  We could no longer survive with them insisting that we hand over all our wages.  We decided to begin our journey toward the United States with the promise of providing a better life not only for ourselves but also for our unborn child.

At first it was extremely difficult to process the idea of being seven months pregnant and alone in a strange new world.  I am grateful to La Posada Providencia for accepting me with open arms.  They were extremely gracious in assisting me with all the services I needed as a pregnant woman.  They provided transportation to attend doctor’s appointments, provided maternity clothes, proper nutrition and ESL classes.

When the time came to bring my daughter into this new world, a wonderful volunteer accompanied me throughout the labor and birthing process.  She stayed with me the entire time I was in the hospital.  This made me feel safe and protected.

Now that my daughter has arrived, La Posada Providencia continues to assist me with all that my infant daughter needs.  They provide me with her formula, diapers and all the necessities that come with a newborn.

I will forever be grateful to La Posada for all the ways they have helped me.  Had it not been for this beautiful shelter taking me in and all the efforts of the entire staff and volunteers, my fate could have been detrimental.  La Posada will always be in my heart because they have given me the opportunity to experience what a true family is.”