Maynor Suazo Sandoval (proper) and his mom visiting the Niagara Falls, in New York state.

Martin Suazo Sandoval

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Martin Suazo Sandoval

Maynor Suazo Sandoval (proper) and his mom visiting the Niagara Falls, in New York state.

Martin Suazo Sandoval

Maynor Suazo Sandoval left rural Azacualpa, Honduras almost 18 years in the past with a imaginative and prescient of a greater future for him and his household.

He settled in Maryland the place he labored as a mason in building, as a package deal courier, and extra just lately, as a part of a building crew on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed early Tuesday.

Suazo was pushed to assist his household and his group in Honduras, Martin Suazo Sandoval, his older brother, instructed NPR from Honduras on Wednesday.

“My brother was a generous man,” Martin Suazo Sandoval mentioned in Spanish.

While working within the U.S., Maynor Suazo Sandoval despatched cash to start out a lodge that offered jobs and supported his household. He additionally helped folks from his city by paying for his or her medicines and physician’s visits, in addition to helping folks with disabilities.

Part of his motivation was additionally to assist his hometown’s youngsters. He sponsored a youth soccer league.

“He always said that if we were to have kids with a healthy mind, that later become prosperous teens, then we were bound to have a better country,” Martin Suazo Sandoval mentioned.

Martin Suazo Sandoval, the brother of Honduran citizen Maynor Suazo Sandoval, speaks with the media Wednesday exterior his dwelling in Azacualpa, Honduras. Martin says his brother is lacking and was a part of a upkeep crew on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed Tuesday.

Claudio Escalón/AP

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Claudio Escalón/AP

Martin Suazo Sandoval, the brother of Honduran citizen Maynor Suazo Sandoval, speaks with the media Wednesday exterior his dwelling in Azacualpa, Honduras. Martin says his brother is lacking and was a part of a upkeep crew on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed Tuesday.

Claudio Escalón/AP

But Maynor Suazo Sandoval has been lacking because the bridge accident Tuesday.

He was a part of a building crew fixing potholes on the bridge when it collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship. Eight staff went into the chilly waters of the Patapsco River. Two have been rescued that very same day.

On Wednesday, authorities recovered the our bodies of two different folks, one from Mexico and one from Guatemala. Four different staff stay lacking.

Authorities haven’t but formally recognized them, however Suazo was recognized by members of the family, and Gustavo Torres, govt director of CASA, a nationwide nonprofit that advocates for immigrants.

Suazo was a member of this group.

“The bridge has a great historic significance,” Torres mentioned, including it was named after the creator of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ “These immigrants were entrusted with maintaining and repairing it.”

Torres mentioned the tragedy serves for instance of how immigrants typically carry out dangerous jobs that maintain the nation operating.

“I really hope that people, the American people, the policy makers, understand and value the amazing contribution of the workers, the families, men and women, in this society,” Torres mentioned.

In the U.S., about 1 in 4 building staff are overseas born, in keeping with the Census. The majority of them are Hispanic.

Their labor not solely helps the U.S., but additionally helps the economies of nations overseas.

Money despatched by staff within the U.S. represents one of many foremost earnings sources for nations like El Salvador and Honduras. Remittances, as an example, make up about 31% of Honduras’ gross home product.

Maynor Suazo was one of many folks sending a refund to his nation. He had grow to be a profitable supplier for his household and his bigger binational group.

Since the accident, pals and family members went on social media praying and honoring his legacy. Photos of youngsters sporting model new soccer uniforms, and glossy trophies offered by him adorn folks’s Facebook pages.

One individual wrote in Spanish, “Thank you brother for loving your hometown and your people.”

Martin Suazo Sandoval instructed NPR his household has been in touch with authorities. They’d wish to carry Maynor Suazo Sandoval again to Azacualpa, the place the place it began.

His group awaits him.