Places and People of the Colonias by Robert Decker

October 2009

The Places and the People of the Colonias

 The Shelters  The Schools  The People  The Children

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Where We Help & the Help We Provide .................................................................................................................................. 3 Casa Hogar del Nino ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 In the Beginning ......................................................................................................................................................................... 4 A Brief History ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Operation of the Shelter .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Casa Hogar Esperanza ................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Esperanza Means Hope ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 Note From Bob ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9 PAPER HOUSES & CASA ESPERANZA ................................................................................................................................ 11 Casa Emmaus - A Shelter for Returning Migrants ............................................................................................................ 13 A Few Medical Cases ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Overview ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Acuna Photos................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

INTRODUCTION

aper Houses Across the Border is advanced charity. We do not simply send money to support a shelter and we do not believe that 'more money' fixes a problem.

We constantly improve the way we deliver charity. We randomly inspect schools, cafeterias and shelters. We walk the streets and ask neighbors, business leaders, doctors and clergy about the places and the families we help. We believe that there is dignity in work and try to provide that dignity to families we help. For example, we ask that family members help to paint, clean and repair local schools in exchange for school supplies and uniforms. We require contractors we pay to build or repair cafeterias and classrooms to hire local workers. A critic once accused me of paying as much attention to how we people as to providing the actual help. I plead guilty. How we help is often as important as the actual help we provide. We never want to produce or encourage people to sit and wait for help. We want them to continue to do what the people of the colonias do: work hard to find a solution.

WHERE WE HELP & THE HELP WE PROVIDE We are an IRS approved 501(3)(c) nonprofit corporation, founded in Texas and established to help the poor in the colonias of Mexico. Our primary focus is the city of Acu単a, Mexico - across the border from Del Rio, Texas. Although we've also provided help in Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo, 95 percent of our work is in Acu単a. We walk the streets as searchers. As we talk with people in their homes we learn about the people, the community, the customs and their needs. We provide monthly support to shelters for children, drug addicts fighting to recover, and a migrant shelter. Thousands of school children receive meals paid for by Paper Houses and prepared by state-trained volunteer cooks. We also pay for repairs at schools and shelters. We build school cafeterias. We pay for life saving and life changing medical procedures that include children with cancer and heart disease. We distribute thousands of dollars worth of food to the hungry and clothing to those in dire need. We pay for the cost of transportation to hospitals in distant cities. We help schools with educational equipment and supplies. We facilitate mission trips at cost to enable Americans to experience the colonias. The experience is often life-changing. We gather facts on the Internet, but our primary resource for information comes from the people in the colonias. Generally, we confirm what we are told with four unconnected families, schools, or businesses. We never accept information without talking with families we've come to trust and with families new to us. We operate within the laws of the United States and Mexico. We do not subscribe to the end justifying the means or to the belief that good intentions place us above the law. This means that we do not bring in large quantities of used clothing because it is against the law. We declare imports and pay taxes that are assessed. We do not begin our trips into Mexico with lies and deceit because we are doing good things. There is no footnote to the Commandment, "Thou shall not lie." We do not preach or require participation in prayer, religious services or a profession of belief in exchange for food, shelter, medicine or anything else we provide. Our actions speak volumes about our beliefs. Frankly, some our best mission participants have been Jewish. Some of our best mission participants have no faith in God. All are moved by the colonias and I suspect many are introduced to church in an unexpected way. We are careful to avoid political entanglements. We require no allegiance to political parties and avoid all politicians at election-time.

CASA HOGAR DEL NINO IN THE BEGINNING

The photograph of the little children was taken in May of 2002, when I first visited this wonderful shelter. I was told that this shelter recently lost its sponsor. "There was an elderly man who lived near Dallas. He provided support for this shelter and one day he stopped coming. I don't know what became of him, but the shelter is without any help." said Olga Magana, my first guide and translator. She continued, "The shelter is run by a wonderful husband and wife. They take in all sorts of children and try so hard to care for the children." As we approached the black iron gate, 24-children surged forward to greet us. They knew Olga from previous visits. Antonio and Hermalinda Ramirez, the house parents, opened the gate and greeted us with warm smiles. Olga introduced me and explained that I was from Houston and curious about the colonias. "I asked Bob if he would like to see a shelter for children and here we are!" Olga said to the houseparents. Through Olga, I asked what was most needed at the shelter. Hermalinda and Olga spoke for several minutes in Spanish. Olga turned to me and said, "Bob, she says that they need everything. I am afraid they are in a very bad situation." I asked if I could see everything and was invited to look around. After a quick inspection, I summed up the situation. Only one of the toilets was working. The shower and sink were barely working. The refrigerator was almost empty as was the pantry. They truly needed everything. Everything except love. The love this couple had for the children shined in their eyes. Olga agreed to take me to a nearby supermarket and we explained that we would return with some groceries. That was the beginning. I returned many times with groceries, money, clothes, medicine and somehow earned enough money to keep the shelter operating. On my return trips, I explored the colonias and ventured out to new areas with Antonio. 4

In Houston, I addressed the congregation at my church. Several Houston Police Officers that worked under my substation also attended the same church and word spread throughout the Houston Police Department about my new hobby. The next thing I knew, the Houston Police Officers Union ran an article in their news paper and the union members put up money so that I could establish a nonprofit charity. The help I provided to Casa Hogar del Nino was the genesis of Paper Houses Across the Border. In 2002, Paper Houses Across the Border, Inc. became an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity. Within a few short years, the Houston Chronicle, FOX News, Telemundo (Houston), ABC, Geraldo At Large, People Magazine and other news outlets researched our organization, walked the streets of the colonias, and told our story. The Casa Hogar del Nino was always one of our stops with the media.

The man standing between Hermalinda and Antonio came to them at the age of 4 years old and was raised in the shelter. He returned to Mommy and Poppy for a visit with his daughter. He now lives with his family in Monterrey.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Antonio Ramirez told me that he was working in a factory 20-years ago, when he saw there was a need for a shelter. The government social service agency (DIF) often had more abused and neglected children then shelters to place the children. Sometimes a single mother would find that she could no longer care for her children, but there was no place to take the children and nobody to help. Antonio said that when he was a young man someone prophesized that he would 'one day care for many children'. Antonio recalled that prediction as he discussed the situation with his wife. They began taking children into their home. Eventually, Antonio found that he was working all night at the factory and all day with the children. Soon there were over 30-children in their care. He made the prayerful decision to quit his factory job in the trust that God would provide. A sponsor exploring the colonias found Antonio and agreed to help. Today, there are between 18 and 28 children at the shelter. The number changes as some parents find their situation improved or as some parents lose their factory jobs and return to their villages with the children. Sometimes DIF arrives with a baby or a child in need of temporary care. These shelters seldom house orphans. Some parents may be in jail. Others simply cannot care for their children. It is similar to longterm foster parenting. Many children are raised at this shelter. Some young adults return to visit the shelter and still call Antonio and his wife, 'Poppy" and "Mommy".

OPERATION OF THE SHELTER Antonio and his wife operate the shelter. The regular monthly expenses are $1,500 and are paid by Paper Houses Across the Border. Antonio provides receipts for the monthly expenses and receipts for the occasional extra money we provide for things such as a replacement washer, repairs, or unusual medical expenses. In addition to our help, occasional church groups and other people we've taken to this shelter, return and provide other assistance. Some of the children attend a Special Education School; some attend a morning session at school and other go to school in the afternoon. Some children are in elementary school and others are in high school. Antonio drives many of these children to and from school. Hermalinda is either cooking, washing clothes, cleaning or doing something with the children whenever I arrive. One day, I arrived as she was hanging laundry. There was clothing hanging from the clothes lines, the fence and even the tree. She was washing blue jeans in a large tub and remarked that if she waited until the washer was finished with all of the other clothes it would be dark before the blue jeans could be washed. So she scrubbed them by hand. She told me that sometimes neighbors come to help. The shelter is immaculate. After 100-unannounced visits I feel confident in stating that this is a well run and well kept place where each child receives loving care.

CASA HOGAR ESPERANZA ESPERANZA MEANS HOPE Acuña is a city in the state of Coahuila, on the border of the United States. Because of the proximity to the United States (a few minutes from Del Rio, Texas) foreign owned factories doubled, then tripled, then quadrupled after the North American Free Trade Agreement (N.A.F.T.A.) was signed. Thousands of families flocked to Acuña for jobs. With no work in their villages, the people dreamed of a better life. They were shocked at the high cost of living (nearly as high as Houston and Dallas) and found that their 500 peso salaries are not even enough to provide the bare basics. Many built cardboard houses. In 1992, Casa de Esperanza Acuña A. C. was formed by the Christian Churches Association of Houston Texas on a 12 acres land, donated by decree by the Congress of the State of Coahuila, Mexico. This shelter has been in continuous operation for 17 years. To date, over 320 boys and girls have lived part of their lives at Casa Esperanza. Casa de Esperanza exists to provide food, shelter, clothing, and a wonderful nurturing environment to the children of single mothers and to children identified by social services (D.I.F.) as being in need of shelter. Casa de Esperanza is built in a land of more than 5 hectares and the building has the following:                 8

Room equipped to accommodate 20 girls, with a bathroom Room equipped to accommodate 20 boys, with a bathroom Wardrobe Laundry Room Living Room Kitchen Principal and Assistant Principal Office Office Provision Room Two bedrooms with bathroom for two workers with a large portal. Basketball and Volleyball Court Foot ball soccer court Pool with water treatment equipment System for drinking water purification by Inverse Osmosis Water Softener equipment for personal and domestic water Butane Gas Air conditioners and heaters

Casa de Esperanza Acu単a A. C. is located at Km 8.5 of the Carretera a la Presa La Amistad. Turn left in front of the Instituto Tecnologico de Ciudad Acu単a; by the entrance of the factory of heavy equipment TEREX, following that road until the paved road ends, continuing with the unpaved road is found our home, you can see it from the TEREX plant, about 1.5 km. The telephone number of the house is 01-877-773-1530. And our postal address is: Calle Pino Suarez #664, Colonia Benito Juarez, Ciudad Acu単a, Coahuila, CP 26215. Here the children have shelter, food, clothing, toys, medical assistance, school uniforms and everything required for their education. But we believe that what really changes their lives is the spiritual education and this is the reason we come to you. The children attend catechism on Saturdays and Church services on Sundays. The children live here, they only go home during vacation time such as Holy Week, Christmas and July and August for Summer Vacations. As of October 26, 2009, we have 10 boys and 11 girls.

President:

Professor Ema Cervera Garza (Founder)

Secretary: Sergio Arche Hernandez (Founder) Treasurer: Guadalupe Castro Medina Vice-president & Spiritual Assessor Juan Andres Davila de Leon NOTE FROM BOB

An example of how quickly and willingly this shelter adapts to meet challenges, I wish to share a story. In 2008, a little blind boy, unable to talk or walk, was taken in at the shelter when his grandmother was hospitalized. There was scarce information known at the time. It seems that his father works on a ranch and nothing was known about the mother. Perhaps she passed away. The grandmother, who was in poor health, raised the child. Because of his blindness and the grandmother's poor health, the child spent most of his little life in bed. Because the child was blind, could not walk and could not communicate, social services could not find a shelter willing or able to take the child: except for Casa Esperanza. 9

ose arrived at the shelter in a wheel-chair, provided by DIF (social services). Nobody knew how the child lost the use of his legs. An exam at the hospital revealed that there was nothing preventing the child from walking. His muscles had atrophied from lack of use. Paper Houses provided assistance so that Esperanza could have a shower modified to accommodate the child and authorized whatever medical care available for this child. We also agreed to pay additional money (beyond our regular monthly support) to help the shelter pay for additional staff that may be needed. After several months, the child's father was located and he took the child to live with him in another city.

PAPER HOUSES & CASA ESPERANZA Paper Houses Across the Border provides $1,000 per month to help with operational costs and steps in to help with facility repairs, appliances or other needs. The shelter provides us with receipts and quarterly reports about their operations. Our unannounced visits have always found this shelter to be clean and well run. The number of children fluctuates and provides a sort of longterm foster care for the children. Many of the parents work in the factories and cannot take care of their children with the average $65 take home pay. Some of the children have special needs and some of the families are in very desperate situations. The children are bused to various schools and their lessons are augmented by additional teaching at the shelter. A water pump and a filtration system provide a reliable supply of clean water.

Esperanza's abundance of space is used by Paper Houses for staging, preparation, and temporary storage of material used for various projects. For example, we've stored food, clothing and toys used to help the children in the colonias at Casa Esperanza. We organized distribution teams, consisting of two Americans and two Mexicans, and packed food into sacks for distribution. The trucks were then loaded and sent to various destinations. Both American and Mexican volunteers, working as teams at Casa Esperanza helped preserve the dignity of the people and allowed the children at Esperanza and the colonias to see that Mexican and Americans were bringing food to the needy. We've held Christmas Celebrations, meetings and other events at the shelter. We've also used the facility to plan events and to conduct after-action meetings to examine how we can improve our operations. We received a lot of great feedback from all of the participants and several requests that we build dormitories at Esperanza where future mission groups could stay, instead of a hotel. The board of directors at Esperanza agreed to allow us to use a portion of land for this purpose. We see this as a win-win situation and hope to find a sponsor. The facility would be used by Paper Houses and other mission groups coming to Acu単a.

CASA EMMAUS - A SHELTER FOR RETURNING MIGRANTS Paper Houses Across the Border never does anything to facilitate illegal entry into the United States. In fact, on my first visit to this shelter for migrants, I was apprehensive. Then, I sat down among a group of migrants as we shared a meal and they shared their stories. Since that first visit, I've spoken with hundreds of men and women at this wonderful shelter. Deciding to help was simple. Everyone at this place is tired, hungry and in real need. Almost every woman at the shelter was sexually assaulted. Many needed medical care. Providing medicine to a sick child, medical care to a sexual assault victim and feeding people that are exhausted and terribly hungry is the minimum I am required to do as a human being. The people from the United States, who come with us on a mission trip, are often the biggest beneficiaries of Casa Emmaus. Repeatedly, Americans have told us that they really did not want to visit a migrant shelter when they signed-up for a mission experience. They thought the time spent at the shelter would be a waste of time. At the end of the mission trip, many people (sometimes the majority) cite their time at Casa Emmaus as the most rewarding and meaningful. Here is one story shared by a migrant over a shared meal with us.

"I came from Guatemala and it was a very difficult trip. Hundreds of us climbed on to a train heading north. Some were on the roof and many others clung to the ladders at the end of each train car. I was on a ladder. On the car behind me, I smiled at a woman that was clinging to that ladder. She was holding a little baby. The train rocked back and forth in a rhythm. The sound of the wheels on the tracks was a monotonous 'clickety-clack, clickety-clack. As the train rocked steadily, the sound of the train wheels continued, 'clickety-clack, clicketyclack'. I almost dozed off and had to shake my head to remain awake. We were all tired from the long walk to the train. Then my eyes flew open as I heard the lady behind me scream. She was screaming, 'my baby, my baby!' I looked and saw that her baby was gone! She had dozed for just a second and the baby fell from her arms. We were on a very steep grade. I don't know if the baby died when it hit the rocks, was crushed by the train, or what happened to the lady. She jumped from the train to search for her baby." We hear many stories about people falling from these trains and being killed as their legs are run over. I've listened to mothers tell me about rapes. I've heard men tell me that gangs tied them to trees and they were forced to watch as their wives and daughters are raped. Sometimes these people talk about attacks by the police and army. We've heard stories about babies buried in the desert. When these families show up at Emmaus, they are tired and hungry. Emmaus feeds them and provides a clean place to sleep, showers, and a place to wash their few 14

clothes. Most of the people come here after their plans fail and they are caught trying to cross the river. Paper Houses has strict rules and we take great care to teach our mission groups that we cannot help anyone to cross into the U.S.A. However, we continue to feed the hungry and remain convinced that these are part of 'the least of these' that Jesus talked about.

"I did not tell my cousin that I was pregnant when we left El Salvador. There are not jobs and no way to survive. I had to take the risk and try to go north and find a job. When it became obvious that I was pregnant I also became very sick. By then, we were in Mexico. We went to a hospital, but they hate us because we are not in Mexico legally. They hurt me. We continued on our trip and one night I had a lot of pain. That night I gave birth, but the baby died. I cried and cried. We were in the desert. We found two pieces of a board and we began digging the grave. We laid my baby in the hole we dug and all the while we were both crying. Finally, we covered the baby with dirt and sand. We put some rocks on top. I hope the animals did not find him. We prayed. We started waking again." 15

The stories impact us. We appreciate the blessings of being born in America. We don't want anyone to simply walk across our border and we can't support the world. However, we can't help but sympathize with these people. We try to help by providing opportunities to survive in Mexico. We help people with the little bit extra that makes a difference in their decision to keep trying to succeed in their own country. And we continue to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless.

A FEW MEDICAL CASES OVERVIEW Mexico has three levels of health care. There is a program for the indigent. There is a program for all workers called Seguro (required under Mexican Law). There are private hospitals and clinics. We've visited the public hospital where the indigent are sent. We've visited the public hospitals that accept the Seguro Insurance. We've visited private hospitals and clinics. We also listened to the opinions of clergy, business people, teachers, house parents at shelters and other charities in Mexico. The family situation, the available medical help without our intervention, the type of treatment required and our ability to meet the need determines who we help. Sometimes, we find people that can receive identical treatment through their Seguro insurance seeking help to go to a private hospital. They believe the treatment is better or they prefer to avoid the lines and forms at the hospitals accepting the Seguro Insurance. The doctors at the private hospital tell us to send these people to the hospital accepting the Seguro so that we can use our money to help those truly in need. We find most of the people we help; they do not find us. Most are reluctant to reveal their need and reluctant to accept help. Most of these families try to repay us in some way or to cover some of the cost by holding raffles and fund-raisers. Most of the people we help are children. Some cases are beyond our means to help and we can refer them to other charities, such as DREAMS. As we search and find people with medical needs, we evaluate the need. Mexico has a free health care program for the poor. Some of the care is acceptable. However, some care, although covered, is not close to what is truly needed. We discover this by the number of people we encounter that received ineffective and often the wrong treatments. Some serious illnesses are not covered. Cancer treatment is very limited and we prefer to use a private hospital. Some serious situations, such as dialysis are covered and are the same as that offered in the private hospitals. We know this from our personal observations and because the private hospital tells us so. (It would be in the private hospital's interest to tell us otherwise). 17

Every working person is entitled to coverage under the Seguro Medical Insurance. Even this has some limits, but most things are covered. Some situations are beyond our ability to help and we turn to other charities, such as Dreams. Sometimes we must choose who we can help and who we must refer to other resources. Often, people only need transportation, meals and lost wages covered so that a child can receive treatment only available in other cities. Sometimes people will ask us for help because they prefer a private hospital with little or no waiting. We always evaluate the situation and remain good stewards of your money. The doctors at the private hospital waves his initial examination fee and provides us with a medical opinion about the best procedure, the approximate cost and often refers the person to a public hospital because the treatment is available and the same as what would be purchased at the private hospital. Doctors often pay the cost of follow-up physical rehabilitation for the people we bring and give us a 20 percent discount on hospital bills.

ACUÑA PHOTOS