Mexico. Tulum: The non-profit organization Cointree Mexico, based in South Korea, is currently working on an building a hospital for people who have no access to health care in Tulum, Mexico. The hospital is projected to be operational in 2023.
Finding inspiration while experiencing inequality and suffering
The founder of Cointree is called Han Young-Jun or Juanito in Spanish. Juanito had travelled for 10 years around the world before the concept of Cointree became his dream and focus. In an interview with Transcontinental Times, Juanito stated seeing and experiencing inequality was the reason to live a life of sharing.
Juanito and his wife, Kyoung Mi Kim, (Luna), found an had traveled to Mexico where it is estimated that more than twenty million lack health access. During the interview, Luna said they saw a country with a huge gap between the rich and the poor.
Luna said, “There are so many children who do not attend school, so many people who suffer. This is why we decided to support the people in Tulum.”
The hospital has already been named; it will be Love Flower Hospital, a name that reflects their motto: “Play, share, love.” The hospital’s opening will take vast resources that have become more scarce now due to the pandemic. The hospital’s opening has been pushed back to 2023.
Currently, Luna and Juanito live with their child in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. While seeking adequate funding for the hospital, they have been working on smaller projects to provide healthcare. Starting on Monday 23 November, they have been working with a team of medical professionals and will be until 27 November. In addition to providing healthcare, they will be working in schools and the library they have opened to the children of the area.
The impact of COVID-19 on those living in poverty
When COVID-19 hit, the couple saw how the pandemic destroyed the economy of Mexico, but mostly, they saw people struggling not only for jobs but for food and health assistance as well.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, the Gross Domestic Product slumped by almost eighteen% over the second quarter of the year.
Besides the pandemic, hurricane Zeta has impacted the lives of many Mexicans in coastal areas, worsening circumstances. In a Facebook post, Juanito wrote that people in the area are not as fearful of COVID-19 as they are about losing their jobs.
One coin at a time
Luna shared that their mission is guided by hope, and she stressed the importance of people helping one another.
Most of their donors come from South Korea. Luna said there are currently 4,200 people who are supporting their projects, offering health assistance is a top priority. Cointree shares their concept of small donations with their donors. The organization usually operates through small donations that can start from 1 peso, boliviano, dollar, yon, or any currency because they believe many hearts can make a miracle happen.
The organization receives small donations through Paypal. Their account is cointreeflor@gmail.com, where people can donate up to 30 USD per month.
