Allyson and her family are among the thousands of Latin American migrants and asylum seekers who have made the arduous journey to Chile in search of a better life. With the United States becoming increasingly hostile to immigrants, Chile has become a major hub for those seeking refuge and a new start.
The journey is not easy, however, and the Chilean government has taken steps to close its borders to undocumented arrivals. Despite the risks, Allyson and her family have braved the highland plateau and its extreme temperatures in order to reach safety.
At just five years old, Allyson already knows what it means to be a refugee. She speaks in a low, gravelly voice that almost sounds adult, telling of how she and her family left Venezuela in search of medical treatment for her illness. “In the hospital, we were told to leave because in Venezuela they couldn’t cure me if I got sick again,” she explains, panting as she crosses the informal border between Bolivia and Chile, more than 4,000 metres above sea level.
Allyson’s story is one of many that have been brought to Chile in recent years. As the country continues to open its doors to those in need, it is becoming a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge from their home countries. Despite the difficulties of the journey, Allyson and her family remain determined to make a new life in Chile, where they can access the medical care they need and find work.
For Allyson, the journey is a difficult one, but it is also an opportunity for her family to start anew. As she makes her way across the vast, high-altitude wetland, she is filled with hope for a brighter future.