For Those Who Wear The Brand
Global Aid Projects

This is Manuel, a 63-year-old man originally from Chiapas, who moved to Cancun 20 years ago to work in construction, whose insight sheds light on the harsh realities that many underprivileged groups experience.

Residing in Arco Norte, one of the city's most impoverished neighborhoods, Manuel epitomizes perseverance in the face of adversity. His story sheds light on the glaring disparities within Cancun, where the glamour of tourism and the picturesque allure of the ocean and resorts often obscure the challenges faced by its residents.



Manuel's everyday schedule reflects the problems he faces. Waking up before dawn, he embarks on a lengthy journey to his job site, navigating unreliable public transportation and congested streets. His work as a foreman provides some stability, but the irregularity of employment leaves him and his family vulnerable to financial insecurity and the lack of essential services exacerbates his struggles.



The water in his area carries the risk of waterborne diseases including cholera and hepatitis A, which forces him to rely on unreliable delivery by water trucks that may take weeks to arrive. The lack of paved roads and irregular garbage collection contributes to unsanitary living conditions and increases the transmission risk of diseases like dengue, Zika and/or chikungunya. It also attracts rodents and disease-carrying insects which can transmit diseases like leptospirosis, salmonellosis and foodborne illnesses. Seasonal power outages during hurricane season compound their difficulties even further.

Healthcare is a big area of concern for Manuel. Without social security, he is forced to realy on the overwhelmed General Hospital of Cancun, where resources are scarce and priority is given to the most severe cases.

Despite battling hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, Manuel persists with unwavering determination, relying on his faith and the steadfast support of his family.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought even more hardships for Manuel and his family as tourism ground to a halt & job opportunities dried up, leaving them without income for months. With depleted savings and limited resources, they were forced them to ration food carefully and rely on the generosity of neighbors to survive.

Despite all of these challenges, Manuel remains hopeful for the future.

He dreams of a community with paved streets and reliable services, where his family can thrive. He yearns for better health and stability, hoping to spend his remaining years surrounded by loved ones in peace.



In the midst of Manuel's struggles, our unexpected help provided him with hope in the form of some much needed medications.

The medication we provided him with will reduce his blood pressure, help control his diabetes and protect against negative cardiovascular events.



The assistance we provided went beyond just physical relief. Our donation, which covered the treatment of all Manuel's ailments for a month, brought immense peace of mind. It allowed him to save money for the future while ensuring he could consistently follow his treatment plan. It acted as a beacon of hope in their darkest moments, reassuring Manuel and his family that they weren't alone in their struggles. Despite the dire circumstances, our support showed the strength of compassion and solidarity. It underscored the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.

As Manuel embraces the hope of a brighter future, he discovers newfound strength to face the trials ahead. With each pill swallowed, he is reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility for positive transformation, even in the most challenging of situations.