What began as a summer internship became a life changing experience for a Wabash College student.

Senior Gary Simkus skipped the second half of his basketball season last year to travel. When he got back, he had just a few days before going to Chiapas, Mexico July 5-Aug.14.

Simkus worked in Chiapas for a not-for-profit organization and was taken by a poverty-stricken community still suffering from the effects of 2005’s Hurricane Stan. And to his surprise, the Mexican government did little to help the situation.

“I couldn’t believe how unjust the Mexican government could be,” Simkus said.

There are about 600 homeless families in Chiapas, Simkus said, and many live in shacks made from scrap aluminum sheets. Those people also have nowhere to grow crops, the main source of profit in the area. Despite the passage of almost three years since Stan hit, the community appears to have no immediate improvements, Simkus said. According to CBS News, six people from Chiapas were died in Hurricane Stan.

“It’s been almost three years since the hurricane and there’s still communities that are isolated,” Simkus said. “They get about 20 food packages to a 100-family community. I have pictures of the military helicopter and it was just chaotic. People are breaking in the windows just to get the food.”

It was an experience that opened Simkus’ eyes to how well things are done in the United States. He’d met children who have never seen a deck of cards or who never had a chance to get an education because they were forced to work as soon as possible.

“Some of these are things I take for granted,” Simkus admits.

Simkus actually felt bad when it came time for meals in Chiapas. The people had practically nothing, yet went out of their way to welcome and cater their visitors.

The Chiapas community where Simkus stayed was eager to learn about other cultures as well, he said. Many had no knowledge of the outside world, so they stayed in Chiapas, where the average pay was 50 pesos per day — about $5 in American money. Many of those making money are mowing grass or helping those with crops.

Many who do end up making money are citizens who’ve crossed the U.S. border. Surprising to Simkus, it was quite easy to cross the border, he said. With a couple of hundred dollars, Mexicans can pay a “coyote” who lets them come into the United States, Simkus said. Then they find work wherever possible, and many end up going back to help others.

In general, however, Simkus said he never felt threatened in Chiapas.

Seeing the people of Chiapas, with diseases and lack of supplies, Simkus said he doesn’t think there is much he could do to help. By informing others of the situation, he feels he is making something of a contribution.

“I’m sure other places are affected than just Chiapas, Mexico, but that’s what I saw,” Simkus said. “I hope to go back (but he is unsure when he will have the opportunity) and get something started. Little by little, we started to see changes, but there’s a lot that still needs to be done.”

sking@jrpress.com