The news of the discovered bodies in Neuvo Laredo prompted a quick trip to the colonias and shelters of that city. My initial belief that these latest murder victims were involved in cartel activities was disputed by the local people. The heads and feet were hacked off and law enforcement only speculates about these victims. Many locals think that they might have been migrants and not even from this area. All that seem obvious is that the bodies were dumped to intimidate and to lay claim to the area.
The cartels and the U.S. media share the goal of publicizing horrific stories. I appreciate our free pres reporting these types of stories; it is the over reporting and repeated rehashing of the story that is disturbing. It is the reference to other murders that sometimes occured months ago and a thousand miles distant that I find disturbing. But, the cartels love the way the U.S. media strngthens their image.
Many, dare I say most, Americans view Mexico as an unsafe, violent country where the streets run wil blood. Few Americans envision that children playing and going to school or the millions of people that go to work every day. Few are aware of the thousands of U.S. citizens that cross the border to go to work in the factories aong the Mexican side of the border. This is the direct result of the way the U.S. media reported the violence in Mexico during the last decade.
In Acuna, Mexico I witnessed store closures and the complete decimation of the tourist industry as a direct result of that media onslaught. I know what you are thinking, "the drug violence was responsible for crushing tourism" and I understand why you would think so. The media. Here is a fact that might rock you: four years BEFORE even one person was injured by a cartel member in Acuna, the tourism came to a halt. Americans were afraid to cross the border at any point because of the misrepresentations in the US media. Acuan enjoyed a zero percent homicide rate and yet Americans from places like San Antonio, Houston, Detroit and other cities were terrified to enter Acuna.
Nuevo Laredo experiences frequent and unexpected violence. There seems to be no pattern in the location, time or day that violence will erupt. I would not take my daughters or their children into Nuevo Laredo. However, every charity and church group that no longer visits can still send financial help to what they used to describe as their 'friends'. Many of the orphanages and shelters have an interesting opinion.
"For years they came on mission trips with rice and beans. They set up Bible Studies and many required us to attend their church service to get the rice and beans. They took many photographs of the children and our little houses. We are not stupid. They went home, displayed those photos and collected huge amount of money for their next mission trip to help us. They returned and gave us rice and beans. Now they cannot get people to come because of the violence. So they abandoned us and are apparently too afraid to mail a check to the orphanages. Instead, they go to other places for their mission trips. Their trips are more about making money than helping. If not, why can't they at least send a small check to some of the churches and orphanages that they used to claim as friends, On their websites they described the many contacts and close relationships they had with local churches and charities. Many of these groups were simply here to raise money, not to help."
I don't know if the suspicions of the people are true, but I understand their thinking. We have not and will not abandon them. We have no money worries because we remain an organization of volunteers. The money we receive reaches those in need.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Sam, We Will Keep You in our Thoughts
Sam was in the 2nd grade when he first came to the colonias and he immediately had a heart for the people. Sam was polite and listened during our 'orientation' before the trip, but it was Sam's nature to experience things for himself. Sam learned much in the real world and he learned things that many of us failed to learn.
Watching him in the colonias was like watching boys seeking adventure in any strange environment, but Sam took risks that most of us never took. He risked rejection and risked appearing foolish when he immediately began playing with the kids of the colonias. During the early years, Sam knew no Spanish. He came from a life and place so different from the colonias that it was a marvel that he jumped right in to relationships with these children.
Sam made many trips to the colonias, every year. When on formal mission trips, he and Cordero were quick to find ways to help. They carried groceries, nailed walls, packed trucks with food for distribution and helped with the games and activities during fiestas. Sam and his brother experienced things denied to most children in the USA. They experienced befriending a little boy named Oscar who was dying of cancer. They visited a wonderful little girl named Lucinda who was dying of progeria, an extremely rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of aging are manifested at an early age. He experienced unselfish giving.
Most of us give from our abundance. Sam asked his mother, "Mom, instead of us getting presents for Christmas, can we get presents for Oscar and his family?"
Christine once reminded Sam that his birthday fell on the day of a mission trip. She asked if he would like to have a birthday party at home instead of returning to the colonias for another trip. Sam did not hesitate. He told her, "I want to spend my birthday with my Mexican friends." Sam frequently visited the colonias, but this put aside any doubt that he loved the colonias and hes Mexican friends.
Sam's heart and soul were in the activities of life. If we had asked Sam why he sacrifices his time to be in the colonias, he would not have understood the question. To him the colonias were life.
My future walks in the colonias will be filled with Sam. I will walk the places he loved the best and will also search for new friends in new places. My visit next week will be to locate a place where we can honor Sam with a new playground for the children of the colonias.
Bob
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The New Year
Happy New Year!
Families in the colonias remain upbeat and hopeful. Poverty in the colonas is different from the poverty of America and here there is an expectation that things will improve. Poverty is not accepted among the poor as a way of life. It is inspiring to see a family buy a bag of cement and some cinder-blocks so that they can build their 'real house' and move from their cardboard shack. Little by little they make progress. Although it is tempting to provide the material they need, we believe that by providing a little help we do a much better thing. This will be their house and their family's accomplishment.
Some situations do require more help. We've sent a half-dozen people to the hospitals of Monterrey this month. Most are receiving treatment for cancer and all are children. In at least one case we know that things look dim, but we continue to do what can be done for these children. We stand with the families.
It is uplifting when we visit Pedro and Ambar. These two little children share the experience of losing a leg due to accidents. We helped both children by purchasing prosthetic legs (with the help of Giving Hope Worldwide and a couple from New Jersey). It is uplifting because both of these children are always laughing and playing. They remain happy. The children and their parents do not waste time on wishing things were different. Things are what they are and they focus on their blessings and what they can do to make their lives better.
I will be happy in this new year because I walk the streets of the colonias and surround myself with hard-working people that remain optimists.
Families in the colonias remain upbeat and hopeful. Poverty in the colonas is different from the poverty of America and here there is an expectation that things will improve. Poverty is not accepted among the poor as a way of life. It is inspiring to see a family buy a bag of cement and some cinder-blocks so that they can build their 'real house' and move from their cardboard shack. Little by little they make progress. Although it is tempting to provide the material they need, we believe that by providing a little help we do a much better thing. This will be their house and their family's accomplishment.
Some situations do require more help. We've sent a half-dozen people to the hospitals of Monterrey this month. Most are receiving treatment for cancer and all are children. In at least one case we know that things look dim, but we continue to do what can be done for these children. We stand with the families.
It is uplifting when we visit Pedro and Ambar. These two little children share the experience of losing a leg due to accidents. We helped both children by purchasing prosthetic legs (with the help of Giving Hope Worldwide and a couple from New Jersey). It is uplifting because both of these children are always laughing and playing. They remain happy. The children and their parents do not waste time on wishing things were different. Things are what they are and they focus on their blessings and what they can do to make their lives better.
I will be happy in this new year because I walk the streets of the colonias and surround myself with hard-working people that remain optimists.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Ten Years - The time to start is right now!
Our tenth year of working with the poor in the colonias is an ideal time to consider what we've accomplished, how we've grown and what is next.
Ten years ago, things were easy for us. There was no dramatic outcry against Mexico because of immigrants. There was no mass media blitz focused upon every cartel crime in Mexico. The media had not yet destroyed the tourist industry in every border-town. Many other charities and even the Catholic churches in America sent groups to help in the colonias.
Today, much has changed. We seek fresh volunteers to work from their homes to help us. We are primarily focused upon helping children with severe medical needs. We continue to walk the streets of the colonias.
The first step in helping us is to recognize that there will never be a perfect time to begin. Simply start helping. The person you will help the most is the person you will see in the mirror each day.
Ten years ago, things were easy for us. There was no dramatic outcry against Mexico because of immigrants. There was no mass media blitz focused upon every cartel crime in Mexico. The media had not yet destroyed the tourist industry in every border-town. Many other charities and even the Catholic churches in America sent groups to help in the colonias.
Today, much has changed. We seek fresh volunteers to work from their homes to help us. We are primarily focused upon helping children with severe medical needs. We continue to walk the streets of the colonias.
The first step in helping us is to recognize that there will never be a perfect time to begin. Simply start helping. The person you will help the most is the person you will see in the mirror each day.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Christmastime
Paper Houses cannot bring Americans into the colonias this Christmas because of the recent violence in Acuna. Consequently, we must do more to help the poor in the colonias. Bob will be in Acuna every week and will provide as much medical care for the children as possible. He will also deliver food door to door and help churches and charities with Christmas Fiestas for the children.
The weather is already rainy and cold. By Tuesday, the temp will dip into the 20's. Pajamas, blankets and socks are the order of the day.
We need your support, today. For the price of a trip to the movie theater, we can help three children in real need.
As always, we have no paid employees and every dollar actually helps these wonderful children and their families.
The weather is already rainy and cold. By Tuesday, the temp will dip into the 20's. Pajamas, blankets and socks are the order of the day.
We need your support, today. For the price of a trip to the movie theater, we can help three children in real need.
As always, we have no paid employees and every dollar actually helps these wonderful children and their families.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Border Violence
Recently over a ton of drugs was seized at the Del Rio/Acuna checkpoint. Recently a counterfeit Border Patrol Vehicle, painted to look exactly like an official Border Patrol van, was followed after it entered Del Rio and the driver was arrested. The vehicle contained uniforms, guns and drugs.
Both of these incidents suggest that drug activity in Acuña is increasing. The level of sophistication in duplicating a U.S. Government van suggests big money and cartel involvement.
There have been no reports or evidence of violence in Acuña for over a year. A few mission groups have recently been seen in Acuña, but it is difficult to gauge real safety issues.
This week I will meet with a large group of families that live in the colonias and I will spend a day walking the streets to get a better feel for the safety issues as it pertains to mission groups.
Both of these incidents suggest that drug activity in Acuña is increasing. The level of sophistication in duplicating a U.S. Government van suggests big money and cartel involvement.
There have been no reports or evidence of violence in Acuña for over a year. A few mission groups have recently been seen in Acuña, but it is difficult to gauge real safety issues.
This week I will meet with a large group of families that live in the colonias and I will spend a day walking the streets to get a better feel for the safety issues as it pertains to mission groups.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Response to Cartel
The road less traveled . . .
Our Response to the Violence in Mexico
Paper Houses Across the Border continues to work in the streets of the colonias in Mexico, along the Texas border. We research news stories about the violence along the border and urge everyone to read these stories carefully and check the facts.
Every day, according to FOX News, they report about the violence in Mexico. As you listen, watch and read these stories note that almost every story includes a rehash of a previous story or stories about the violence in Mexico. Even a story about citizens protesting in Mexico City in favor of stricter drug laws and more enforcement included 19-paragraphs of previously run stories about the violence in Mexico. (After reading that story, one can easily forget that the new story was about the citizens support of the government crackdowns).
It seems that the media is so focused on proving that Mexico is a bad place and that the government is losing the drug war, that they are incapable of simply reporting the news. Although two horrible ambushes recently occurred where police were killed, almost every other encounter between the police/military and the drug-cartels resulted in overwhelming victories by law enforcement.
How Do We Respond?
Like most Mexican problems, we believe that a Mexican solution is required. We also believe that we are called to continue our direct one-on-one support of the working poor and the institutions that help the working poor to succeed. Our observation is that the cartels control every Mexican border-city. The violence is primarily among cartel members, although many businesses pay protection money to a cartel that is nothing more than a shakedown. The city police are not charged with investigating crime and are ill trained and armed.
Reliable Information is Rare
It is commonly believed that any report to the police is given to the cartel by the police. The cartel then deals with those making police reports. Reporters are intimidated. Even the U.S. reporters are seldom found in Mexico. Rumors abound about kidnappings and extortion.
We respond by being with the people. We walk the streets and help with food, clothing and family needs. We help with medical situation. We help by supporting shelters for children, feeding thousands of school children every school day and by supporting a drug rehabilitation shelter. We support a migrant shelter that is overwhelmed with returning migrants that entered the U.S. from Arizona and were deported to Acuña. (The shelter provides medicine, food, clothing and helps migrants return to their villages). We help by walking door-to-door so that the people know we are still with them to help them in their effort to climb out of poverty.
We also help by talking with fellow Americans. We are all concerned about illegal immigration. A fair bit of hand-wringing, high minded rhetoric and ideas about addressing the symptoms of overwhelming poverty (illegal immigration) abound. We offer real help to the Mexican people by helping them to help themselves. We also point out the facts about the news stories related to the violence along the border.
It has been one-year since any murder took place in Ciudad Acuña. Long before that murder and before the Zeta arrived in Acuña, the U.S. media destroyed the entire tourist industry in Acuña.
If the media needs to focus on a daily story we wish they would report every day, the real story of our time. “Yesterday, an estimated 20,000 children died worldwide from preventable diseases.” Think what a constant focus on that daily fact could accomplish!
Our Response to the Violence in Mexico
Paper Houses Across the Border continues to work in the streets of the colonias in Mexico, along the Texas border. We research news stories about the violence along the border and urge everyone to read these stories carefully and check the facts.
Every day, according to FOX News, they report about the violence in Mexico. As you listen, watch and read these stories note that almost every story includes a rehash of a previous story or stories about the violence in Mexico. Even a story about citizens protesting in Mexico City in favor of stricter drug laws and more enforcement included 19-paragraphs of previously run stories about the violence in Mexico. (After reading that story, one can easily forget that the new story was about the citizens support of the government crackdowns).
It seems that the media is so focused on proving that Mexico is a bad place and that the government is losing the drug war, that they are incapable of simply reporting the news. Although two horrible ambushes recently occurred where police were killed, almost every other encounter between the police/military and the drug-cartels resulted in overwhelming victories by law enforcement.
How Do We Respond?
Like most Mexican problems, we believe that a Mexican solution is required. We also believe that we are called to continue our direct one-on-one support of the working poor and the institutions that help the working poor to succeed. Our observation is that the cartels control every Mexican border-city. The violence is primarily among cartel members, although many businesses pay protection money to a cartel that is nothing more than a shakedown. The city police are not charged with investigating crime and are ill trained and armed.
Reliable Information is Rare
It is commonly believed that any report to the police is given to the cartel by the police. The cartel then deals with those making police reports. Reporters are intimidated. Even the U.S. reporters are seldom found in Mexico. Rumors abound about kidnappings and extortion.
We respond by being with the people. We walk the streets and help with food, clothing and family needs. We help with medical situation. We help by supporting shelters for children, feeding thousands of school children every school day and by supporting a drug rehabilitation shelter. We support a migrant shelter that is overwhelmed with returning migrants that entered the U.S. from Arizona and were deported to Acuña. (The shelter provides medicine, food, clothing and helps migrants return to their villages). We help by walking door-to-door so that the people know we are still with them to help them in their effort to climb out of poverty.
We also help by talking with fellow Americans. We are all concerned about illegal immigration. A fair bit of hand-wringing, high minded rhetoric and ideas about addressing the symptoms of overwhelming poverty (illegal immigration) abound. We offer real help to the Mexican people by helping them to help themselves. We also point out the facts about the news stories related to the violence along the border.
It has been one-year since any murder took place in Ciudad Acuña. Long before that murder and before the Zeta arrived in Acuña, the U.S. media destroyed the entire tourist industry in Acuña.
If the media needs to focus on a daily story we wish they would report every day, the real story of our time. “Yesterday, an estimated 20,000 children died worldwide from preventable diseases.” Think what a constant focus on that daily fact could accomplish!
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