Cruz Roja Mexicana

Víctor Saúl Fonseca Espinoza | State Delegate

Beginnings in Community Service

God works in mysterious ways. My journey into community service began nearly a decade ago in Los Cabos, where I worked at an educational institution in the neurostimulation area. Recognizing the need to support my students in their training and service, I was drawn into efforts to help vulnerable communities. Along the way, I met priests who told me about shortages in the northern part of the state. This led me to participate in campaigns near Vizcaíno, Sierra de la Giganta, and San Francisco.

We decided to establish a social involvement department within the educational institution to encourage participation from both students and their families. My dedication to helping others expanded beyond the school environment to include personal initiatives, such as visiting hospitals, creating green spaces in communities, and working with local priests who informed me about the needs of both their churches and the surrounding communities.

I eventually had the chance to join the Red Cross, and at that moment, I felt that God had prepared me for this challenge. It is a privilege to work with such a prestigious organization as the Red Cross, which is the largest humanitarian network in the world.

During my conversation with Anabella and Martha, I was reminded of the strong affection the Red Cross holds in the interior regions of the country. When I took my position on the Board, I focused on meeting other delegations and noticed that many of them demonstrate greater levels of coordination and volunteerism. Our goal is to strengthen the Red Cross so it can fulfill its objectives and continue the legacy of historical figures like Dr. Crescencio González, one of the first doctors in Los Cabos who served as the President of the local Red Cross chapter.

The Board and Ladies Committee

The Red Cross Board includes over 10 members from various professions, which strengthens the organization as each member offers unique perspectives from their backgrounds. The Ladies Committee are crucial in generating resources that support the organization’s daily operations. Together, they help create impactful initiatives for community support.

Operation and Volunteering

The Red Cross depends heavily on volunteers to carry out its mission successfully. Their dedication and compassion truly make them heroes in red uniforms. In Los Cabos, there are currently about 27 paid staff members and around 87 volunteers, totaling over 100 individuals who support local operations. Additionally, the national headquarters offers support during natural disasters.

In Los Cabos, the Red Cross operates a fleet of nine ambulances; however, not all of them are in service simultaneously. Each city has a paid staff, and additional units are activated depending on the availability of volunteers. In fact, the Red Cross was initially founded as an entirely volunteer organisation, and although it now has paid staff, volunteering remains its main strength.

Seeing older adults and other volunteers working with dedication and passion inspires others to follow suit. The strength of the Red Cross lies in its volunteers, who have consistently demonstrated empathy and commitment in every action, from assembling food parcels to accompanying people in emergencies.

Red Cross Programs and Services

The Red Cross’s main programme focuses on emergency response, particularly the provision of ambulance services. In the community, when someone needs an ambulance, they usually contact the Red Cross directly, demonstrating the trust and recognition that the organisation has earned. The Red Cross offers prevention services, mainly in public schools, where young people and teenagers are trained to respond to emergencies, manage airway obstructions, and perform CPR when necessary.

The State Coordinator, Malú, has trained more than 6,000 students in Los Cabos in prevention and first aid. The aim is to spread this knowledge throughout Baja California Sur.

Current Challenges

After a year in office, the main challenges are financial sustainability and economic management, issues that we have been working on and strengthening. Another important challenge is the territorial extension of the State, as communities are separated by great distances, which makes it difficult to provide services.

In this context, financial management resembles that of a private company, focusing on preventing imbalances that could lead to the closure of branches, as happened in Santa Rosalía, Mulegé, Loreto, and Ciudad Constitución. One of the Council’s aims is to restore these fundamental aspects and strengthen the Red Cross’s presence throughout the state.

Solidarity and Community Commitment

The growth of the Red Cross depends on the empathy and solidarity of citizens. The institution reflects the commitment of the community and needs the support of civil society, businesses, and governments to operate effectively. It plays a vital role in providing emergency services that everyone may need at some point.

Anabella Díaz Rivera | Vice-Chair of the Board

In my family, we are very grateful to Los Cabos for everything it has given us, and we believe we have a great responsibility to contribute to making the destination even better.

Part of my role involves maintaining constant communication with the president and liaising with the Volunteer Ladies. Although I had no direct experience in the health sector, my knowledge of foundations and social work enabled me to integrate and contribute to the Council. I encourage the Volunteer Ladies to participate and commit to the well-being of the community.

Los Cabos is a small, magical community where residents often adopt each other as family and support one another in times of need. The presence of foreign residents has had a positive influence on the culture of community support. A notable example is the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation, which plays a key role in these efforts and is a great ally.

Key Challenges and Operational Improvements

One of our biggest challenges is fundraising and securing corporate commitment to improve immediate medical care. Internal operations have seen significant improvements, with compliance indicators rising from 5% to over 58%. We seek to optimize working conditions for paramedics and strengthen organizational culture, understanding that change requires patience and long-term effort.

Financial Management and Transparency

The Red Cross organizes an annual fundraising campaign in the first quarter of each year, relying on volunteers and businesses to raise funds. Our goal is to increasingly involve the business sector, allowing them to donate in a planned manner. At the financial level, internal accounting is carried out and audits are performed by both the national headquarters and independent auditors, ensuring transparency and fostering trust in the Mexican and international community.

Coordination with Organizations and Events

The Red Cross strategically establishes essential partnerships with government agencies, business leaders, and the United States Consulate, creating a strong support network. A key example of this cooperation is the annual golf tournament organized by the Developers Association, which directly supports the work of the Red Cross.

We recently organized an event in Los Cabos to celebrate US Independence Day, and the consul joined us. This event marked the beginning of an annual collaboration to support the Red Cross. Despite some challenges, everything went very well, which strengthened our credibility and visibility. Trust and commitment to the common good have been key to consolidating these ties.

The annual calendar includes events such as a golf tournament, a celebration of US Independence Day, and a fun run, which attracted more than 800 participants. The community has responded very positively to all these events. A fourth event is being planned for next year. Participation has been key to the success of these events, which raise funds and promote a sense of belonging and solidarity.

The future of the Red Cross looks promising thanks to the dedication of the Council, the Volunteer Ladies, the involvement of paramedics, and the strong desire to expand services in each municipality.

Martha Martínez de Acosta | Chairwoman, Ladies’ Volunteer Group

After more than 19 years living in Los Cabos, we participate in the Red Cross as a token of gratitude to the community for the benefits we have received, both as a company and as a family. During our time here, we have forged wonderful friendships and strong relationships, so we must work together to move this community forward.

The Volunteer Ladies currently consists of 12 members; their organisation is based on each member’s strengths and availability. This coordination allows us to ensure that each event receives the support necessary for its success. Although we face challenges due to our lack of experience, our willingness to learn together has yielded significant results. We have tremendous support from Anabella, who sets the tone for us.

I desire to leave a mark and promote good organisation for future generations of Volunteer Ladies, involving secondary school and sixth form students, so that they can learn about generosity and community values. I also want to institutionalize first aid courses in companies and schools, ensuring that they are constantly updated.

It is essential to share the experiences gained at events and in planning to train more Volunteer Ladies or, better still, to improve them with new ideas. At our events, we want to reach everyone, not only those who donate or purchase a piece of art, but also those who participate; just participating is a great help. In the sports race, some people perhaps could not run, but they could support by buying a ticket for someone else. There are many ways to support; you just have to be attentive and plan. Everything adds up, everything counts.

There are many ways to support, and every little bit helps to strengthen the institution and, consequently, benefits society. The challenge is to continue spreading this mission, improving the organization, and leaving a legacy of solidarity and service for future generations.