Exclusive: Home away from home
YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY). It's been 10-years since the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the island of Haiti in 2010.
The effects were very catastrophic killing over three-hundred-thousand people. The aftermath prompted thousands of Haitians to flee their homes due to the lack of resources like water and food.
Later in 2010, thousands of Haitian migrants came to the U.S. and Mexico border in a caravan. However, several decided to stay border communities like Mexicali, Baja California, making the city their new home.
37-year-old Francisco Pede was born in Haiti. After the earthquake that devastated his island, he packed his bag and headed to Brazil.
“Life as a kid in Haiti was good, I began working at 16, sowing the corn, the beans, sweet potato from the fields. My father showed me the way," said Pede.
Well aware of the risks involved Pede decided to continue beyond Brazil and make his way to the southern border.
“I was going through a mountain walking with 26 other Haitians. We encountered a woman and a male in Nicaragua while coming here. We couldn’t move or they threatened to kill us. They had a gun in hand. They demanded us to sit, they took all of our clothing, the money we had left," said Pede.
After 10-years in Mexicali, Pede calls the multicolored town his home away from home.
“I found this place el Super Mercado Grande, I spoke with the manager, I asked him for a job. I didn’t have any documents at that time, but he said yes," said Pede.
However, throughout his time working long hours, Pede holds his island close to his heart and the people he was forced to leave behind. Including his 6-year-old daughter, he's never met.
“I always tell her ‘darling I miss you, life is hard, but one day I promise I will see you," said Pede.
According to the most recent data, over 8-thousand Haitians have settled in Baja, California. Francisco's future goal is to return to Haiti and bring his entire family back the 'legal' way.
Pede's dream for his family is to be together in the border community he has come to love and see his journey full circle, from homelessness to success.
