Every day since the beginning of the pandemic, Rafael ¡°Rafa¡± Sanz, a driver for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Roraima, Brazil, follows a careful routine when arriving home. He takes off his shoes. He undresses and showers in an improvised stall in the backyard of his house. After spending the day helping protect migrants and refugees from COVID-19, he must be diligent to protect his family at home where his son is in declining health.
Rafael lives with his wife and son in Boa Vista in the North of Brazil. They migrated from Venezuela to find better medical care for the son, Guierry Pierre, 13. He lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, an incurable degenerative disease. He has been receiving treatment in S?o Paulo, where specialized care is available.
¡°The disease is advancing very fast. Guierry no longer walks or stretches his legs. But the treatment helps to slow the progression of the disease. His body may be weak, but his mind is very strong.¡±, Rafael said.
The disease also makes COVID-19 precarious for Guierry Pierre. Despite the extra precautions needed to protect his son, Rafael remains committed to his role helping other migrants and refugees at UNFPA. He delivers to them dignity kits that contain personal hygiene and protective items like face masks, soap and alcohol gel, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Rafael joined UNFPA in 2018 after completing a Portuguese language course for foreigners, when he had been in Brazil for about two years. He is part of the humanitarian assistance team which directly serves migrants and refugees, ensuring their safety.
Tireless and always with a smile on his face, Rafael is extremely kind to both team members and beneficiaries. ¡°Rafael is an exceptional human being and his personal story strengthens us all,¡± said Igo Martini, head of the UNFPA office in Roraima.
Rafael takes deep pride in his work during the pandemic despite the risks. ¡°We're extremely careful. I see that people are very happy when we deliver the kits with basic necessities. They are so happy that they want to hug us. But we explain that they can't,¡± he said. ¡°It's great to be able to work, remain in this agency and help my Venezuelan brothers and sisters. I feel very proud,¡± he concluded.
