Many people question me about my choice to be here, because it is "THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE IN THE WORLD." When you mention Tijuana murder and crime scenes flash in people's heads. As I like to point out, in any big city you will have crime. As long as you are being smart, and not looking for trouble you will be fine, just like any big city. If you are smart about your surroundings and come with locals who know the places you shouldn't go, aside from freak accidents, you should be fine.
Tijuana murder rate according to the U.S. consulate- 20 people per 100,000 people
FBI's most recent murder rates for a few cities in the states...
Detriot, Michigan- 34.4 per 100,000
St. Louis, Missouri (where our church has taken high school students)- 40.5 per 100,000 people
New Orleans, Louisiana (Where many groups opt to go instead of TJ)- 49.1 per 100,000 people
Cincinnati, Ohio- 20.5 per 100,000 people
Cleveland, Ohio- 19 per 100,000 people
Just something to think about...
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What did you do today?
Unlike when there are groups here, our days are not always filled with construction. There are a lot of administrative things that need done to prepare for groups, and to present to new groups. Here's what I did this morning...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Esperanza Thirty One Fundraiser
Log on to place an order and support Esperanza! Read above for more information!
www.MyThirtyOne.com/Wooster
Friday, February 10, 2012
Some videos of past trips
Funny, and informative morning circle video 2010
This is a great video to watch you get an idea of the work we did that day and the day before, the amount of families helped, a little humor and some reflection
This is a great video to watch you get an idea of the work we did that day and the day before, the amount of families helped, a little humor and some reflection
Closing circles with families are often very emotional and heart
felt, if you want to see what the experience is like, and how it affects
people, this is a good video for you!
Ignore the margarita talk, hey, we like to work hard and play
hard. But here is a good example of a little work, filling back in
foundation that we would then poor a floor on.
So I almost didn't post this one, because it's me talking, but that's
ok. Just a little background on the formation of the trip. It was really
great to see how well the two generations melded together, I think we
all learned a lot about each other, and ourselves.
Each year after our trip we have a reflection Sunday, here's a video of that
Upcoming Fund raiser and some thoughts on immigration...
* Disclaimer, I don't know how to spell most Spanish words I am learning, so I spell them like they sound, feel free to correct my spelling in a comment, because it would be nice to know real spellings!
Good morning all!
I am feeling a bit under the weather today so I'm kind of resting and trying to do a few things on line, and finally getting around to doing some much needed laundry! I am also preparing for the arrival of the other long term volunteer, Alex, tomorrow (I think tomorrow at least)!
Within the next week or two look for an upcoming Fund Raiser I will be doing to support Esperanza! 15-20% of the proceeds from sales will go to Esperanza the organization, I am planning on writing to home office and my fingers are crossed that they may consider matching the amount made! As they are a Christian based company I'm hoping they will find it in their hearts to help out!! If you are attending a Thirty One party soon, I don't want to take away from other consultants sales, but please consider placing at least part of you order with us!
If you are considering becoming a consultant, and mention Esperanza, I will donate $50 to the organization as well, once you reach your initial sales goal (which really isn't much, two or three parties, or one good open house will get you there)! Let me know if you are interested in becoming a consultant (kind of a shameless plug sorry! But I will donate $50 to Esperanza!) I will help you get started!
I will be starting the fundraiser within the next week so look for that!
We haven't done too much building yet, or well any. We fixed the roof on one of the buildings here, got to challenge my fear of heights a bit climbing up the scaffolding (andomio in Spanish)!
Tomorrow we will finally get to do some building, there is a group from a local college coming, which I am very excited about. They are from well to do families around Tijuana, who don't necessarily get to see the poverty that exists in their country first hand. It is very important that local students, especially ones in situations that can help, and who may very well be future city and federal officials one day, to see what is going on in their own city and country! My goal for being here is to help rebuild, it is my feeling that poverty and corruption can be healed by kindness, far faster and more efficiently that with violence. Violence only begets more violence. When the people no longer feel indebted to and weaker than those who control their country, when they have a good home and are prospering, they have a reason to finally their foot down and say enough is enough. It is very important for children and young adults to see what is going on, so they can make a change, when they are the adults running the country.
Many of the students who I have met were at a loss for why I would come here, for FREE, to help. I explained that I feel at home here, this place has gotten into my heart. The people welcome me into their homes with open arms and bright smiles, like I am family. I see people who take so much pride in their country and their homes. It's inspiring, I strive to value my family, my home, and my life as much as the people I meet do. I aspire to take as much joy in a simple life as they do. There is no need for extravagance to be happy, babies often take more joy in wrapping paper that the expensive toys wrapped in them, a used car gets you from point A to point be B and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I think living simply may be the key to real happiness.
Many people at home criticize me for "helping people who are jumping the border and causing financial problems for our country" my answer is that forcing them away from our country (or worse making our country poor and an unappealing escape for those who feel they have no other options), my answer is that the people we are building homes for, the people we help are building communities and forming roots here. They are building a life for their children in Tijuana, raising a generation who sees the good in their country, who understands the meaning of community, and who want to stay here and build a good life here. These aren't families that are bolting to America. The answer isn't forcing them out of our country with cruelty, but helping to improve their country. If all of the money INS spends deporting people was placed into classes and reconstruction of Mexico and South America, focusing on border towns, people would want to stay here. I know no change can happen over night, that is why it is important for children to understand what is going on, so they can help fix the problem in the future.
Another point to make clear is many, if not most, of the people who cross the border into the U.S., are not Mexicans, we lump all South Americans together and call them Mexicans, and that is a bit unfair. I find it also unfair that people who have come across the border legally, a process which can take years even if you are the spouse of a citizen, are often discriminated against as well. Though they are the ideal, what we are a country want to happen is for legal immigrants to come and go through the process, however, many people still treat them as second class citizens.
I can see peoples frustrations, down the road from me a local fruit farm used to hire high school students to pick fruit, a great first job teaching hard work, and you could get a good tan. They now soley employ migrant workers, because they can pay them less than minimum wage for their services. But they are not the only problem, many Americans (in my generation) feel entitled to jump in at the top, and do not want to do "grunt work" when they start out in life, not all Americans by far, just many I have encountered.
Migrant workers did not take most of our jobs though, they were outsourced to countries like China, Indonesia, yes, Mexico, and other countries with cheaper labor. Fixing our country does not mean removing all of the immigrants, our country was built by immigrants. I see political agendas being carried out using Mexicans and other South American immigrants as their scape goats. The idea of legalizing all illegal immigrants is used as a pull for more votes. Blaming immigrants for our countries problems, takes the blame away from large corporations and corruption in our government. It's sad that we can not consider people as people, but just a demographic. It's sad that instead of making it easier for people to go through the appropriate process of getting a visa or a green card, so they can see that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, or to come and become a citizen through the process that has existed for that reason, we take immigrants from other countries daily, why is Mexico so different? By making it illegal and taboo we are almost encouraging the problem.
Just some thoughts, feel free to disagree, agree, rant, rave, I will take any comments, and would love to get some discussions going! I know this is a heated topic but it's more than just an immigration issue in our country.
If you read to the end kudos, this was a long post!
Peace & Love
Rena
If you aren't sure about this post, good video, also just a good video anyway:
Together we can Change the World
Good morning all!
I am feeling a bit under the weather today so I'm kind of resting and trying to do a few things on line, and finally getting around to doing some much needed laundry! I am also preparing for the arrival of the other long term volunteer, Alex, tomorrow (I think tomorrow at least)!
Within the next week or two look for an upcoming Fund Raiser I will be doing to support Esperanza! 15-20% of the proceeds from sales will go to Esperanza the organization, I am planning on writing to home office and my fingers are crossed that they may consider matching the amount made! As they are a Christian based company I'm hoping they will find it in their hearts to help out!! If you are attending a Thirty One party soon, I don't want to take away from other consultants sales, but please consider placing at least part of you order with us!
If you are considering becoming a consultant, and mention Esperanza, I will donate $50 to the organization as well, once you reach your initial sales goal (which really isn't much, two or three parties, or one good open house will get you there)! Let me know if you are interested in becoming a consultant (kind of a shameless plug sorry! But I will donate $50 to Esperanza!) I will help you get started!
I will be starting the fundraiser within the next week so look for that!
We haven't done too much building yet, or well any. We fixed the roof on one of the buildings here, got to challenge my fear of heights a bit climbing up the scaffolding (andomio in Spanish)!
Tomorrow we will finally get to do some building, there is a group from a local college coming, which I am very excited about. They are from well to do families around Tijuana, who don't necessarily get to see the poverty that exists in their country first hand. It is very important that local students, especially ones in situations that can help, and who may very well be future city and federal officials one day, to see what is going on in their own city and country! My goal for being here is to help rebuild, it is my feeling that poverty and corruption can be healed by kindness, far faster and more efficiently that with violence. Violence only begets more violence. When the people no longer feel indebted to and weaker than those who control their country, when they have a good home and are prospering, they have a reason to finally their foot down and say enough is enough. It is very important for children and young adults to see what is going on, so they can make a change, when they are the adults running the country.
Many of the students who I have met were at a loss for why I would come here, for FREE, to help. I explained that I feel at home here, this place has gotten into my heart. The people welcome me into their homes with open arms and bright smiles, like I am family. I see people who take so much pride in their country and their homes. It's inspiring, I strive to value my family, my home, and my life as much as the people I meet do. I aspire to take as much joy in a simple life as they do. There is no need for extravagance to be happy, babies often take more joy in wrapping paper that the expensive toys wrapped in them, a used car gets you from point A to point be B and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I think living simply may be the key to real happiness.
Many people at home criticize me for "helping people who are jumping the border and causing financial problems for our country" my answer is that forcing them away from our country (or worse making our country poor and an unappealing escape for those who feel they have no other options), my answer is that the people we are building homes for, the people we help are building communities and forming roots here. They are building a life for their children in Tijuana, raising a generation who sees the good in their country, who understands the meaning of community, and who want to stay here and build a good life here. These aren't families that are bolting to America. The answer isn't forcing them out of our country with cruelty, but helping to improve their country. If all of the money INS spends deporting people was placed into classes and reconstruction of Mexico and South America, focusing on border towns, people would want to stay here. I know no change can happen over night, that is why it is important for children to understand what is going on, so they can help fix the problem in the future.
Another point to make clear is many, if not most, of the people who cross the border into the U.S., are not Mexicans, we lump all South Americans together and call them Mexicans, and that is a bit unfair. I find it also unfair that people who have come across the border legally, a process which can take years even if you are the spouse of a citizen, are often discriminated against as well. Though they are the ideal, what we are a country want to happen is for legal immigrants to come and go through the process, however, many people still treat them as second class citizens.
I can see peoples frustrations, down the road from me a local fruit farm used to hire high school students to pick fruit, a great first job teaching hard work, and you could get a good tan. They now soley employ migrant workers, because they can pay them less than minimum wage for their services. But they are not the only problem, many Americans (in my generation) feel entitled to jump in at the top, and do not want to do "grunt work" when they start out in life, not all Americans by far, just many I have encountered.
Migrant workers did not take most of our jobs though, they were outsourced to countries like China, Indonesia, yes, Mexico, and other countries with cheaper labor. Fixing our country does not mean removing all of the immigrants, our country was built by immigrants. I see political agendas being carried out using Mexicans and other South American immigrants as their scape goats. The idea of legalizing all illegal immigrants is used as a pull for more votes. Blaming immigrants for our countries problems, takes the blame away from large corporations and corruption in our government. It's sad that we can not consider people as people, but just a demographic. It's sad that instead of making it easier for people to go through the appropriate process of getting a visa or a green card, so they can see that the grass isn't always greener on the other side, or to come and become a citizen through the process that has existed for that reason, we take immigrants from other countries daily, why is Mexico so different? By making it illegal and taboo we are almost encouraging the problem.
Just some thoughts, feel free to disagree, agree, rant, rave, I will take any comments, and would love to get some discussions going! I know this is a heated topic but it's more than just an immigration issue in our country.
If you read to the end kudos, this was a long post!
Peace & Love
Rena
If you aren't sure about this post, good video, also just a good video anyway:
Together we can Change the World
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Reflecting in San Diego...
Hola!
So this Monday is a holiday in Mexico. Having nothing to do for the weekend but sit around, I decided to take a little trip to San Diego for a few days. Easier said than done. Crossing the border took three hours this morning, standing in line in the sun. Then a half hour train ride, a twenty minute wait for the wrong bus (10 min. ride) a ten minute wait for the right bus (5 minute ride, could have gotten to it from the train). Finally got to my hostel and took a walk to the beach (1.5 miles) and back. So here I am trying to stream last week's Glee (and failing) and trying to process the last week!
I'm hoping that I will faithfully post daily from now on, though I doubt I will. It's very easy to have a full day, Skype with family at home, and then go to bed. Got to make some good habits and start posting everyday!
So... Thursday I believe. Eduardo, Roberto, Victor, Rigo and I went to Tecate to plan a trip for a group from San Diego state that doesn't want to go to Tijuana at all, and only wants to work two days (well, one day for each 1/2 of the group). So we set off. Five of us in a crew cab Ranger (with the fold down seats in the back). Nice and cozy.
First we met with the leader of another organization, Corazon, that builds wood houses at no cost of families. The group will be pouring floors with us for Corazon houses in Tecate. After visiting these worksites we went to visit the Ojai (Oh-HI) Ranch where they will be staying for ten days! It's very nice, it has a swimming pool, peacocks, and a mini golf course. They will also be visiting the Tecate brewery (which we visited, they give one free sample daily to visitors of their Beer Garden). We also visited an orphanage where they will be visiting to schedule their visit as well.
Tecate is a nice little town, if you ever feel like visiting Tijuana area and aren't volunteering (silly you) Tecate would be a very nice place to stop! Check out the Brewery for a free beer! I hear they also have some nice wineries nearby as well.
It was interesting to see an area of Tijuana/Mexico that I haven't seen before. I'm slowly starting to learn the main roads and how to get places I will need to take groups (key word, slowly).
I'm also learning some Spanish words....
(Spelled phonetically because I don't know how they are really spelled..)
Madera- Wood (MaD-era)
Carratia- Wheel Barrel (CAR- a- tia)
Quantes- Gloves
Piensas- Pliers (PEEN-sas) .... I could be off on the pronuciation...
Parensas- Clamp (Pair-en-sas)
Lona- Tarp
Andomio- Scaffolding (on-dom-io)
Pala- Shovel
Malla- Fence (my-ya)
Rolvervadora- Mixer
Mescladora- Other cement mixer (for blocks)
cemento- cement
Escoba- Broom
Mopiador- Mop
Subir- To climb
.... Of course I'm going to have to double check all of these, because I "learned" them yesterday I'm sure I'm off on a few of them...
Thinking about going to bed now so I can explore tomorrow! But first....
Some photos...
So this Monday is a holiday in Mexico. Having nothing to do for the weekend but sit around, I decided to take a little trip to San Diego for a few days. Easier said than done. Crossing the border took three hours this morning, standing in line in the sun. Then a half hour train ride, a twenty minute wait for the wrong bus (10 min. ride) a ten minute wait for the right bus (5 minute ride, could have gotten to it from the train). Finally got to my hostel and took a walk to the beach (1.5 miles) and back. So here I am trying to stream last week's Glee (and failing) and trying to process the last week!
I'm hoping that I will faithfully post daily from now on, though I doubt I will. It's very easy to have a full day, Skype with family at home, and then go to bed. Got to make some good habits and start posting everyday!
So... Thursday I believe. Eduardo, Roberto, Victor, Rigo and I went to Tecate to plan a trip for a group from San Diego state that doesn't want to go to Tijuana at all, and only wants to work two days (well, one day for each 1/2 of the group). So we set off. Five of us in a crew cab Ranger (with the fold down seats in the back). Nice and cozy.
First we met with the leader of another organization, Corazon, that builds wood houses at no cost of families. The group will be pouring floors with us for Corazon houses in Tecate. After visiting these worksites we went to visit the Ojai (Oh-HI) Ranch where they will be staying for ten days! It's very nice, it has a swimming pool, peacocks, and a mini golf course. They will also be visiting the Tecate brewery (which we visited, they give one free sample daily to visitors of their Beer Garden). We also visited an orphanage where they will be visiting to schedule their visit as well.
Tecate is a nice little town, if you ever feel like visiting Tijuana area and aren't volunteering (silly you) Tecate would be a very nice place to stop! Check out the Brewery for a free beer! I hear they also have some nice wineries nearby as well.
It was interesting to see an area of Tijuana/Mexico that I haven't seen before. I'm slowly starting to learn the main roads and how to get places I will need to take groups (key word, slowly).
I'm also learning some Spanish words....
(Spelled phonetically because I don't know how they are really spelled..)
Madera- Wood (MaD-era)
Carratia- Wheel Barrel (CAR- a- tia)
Quantes- Gloves
Piensas- Pliers (PEEN-sas) .... I could be off on the pronuciation...
Parensas- Clamp (Pair-en-sas)
Lona- Tarp
Andomio- Scaffolding (on-dom-io)
Pala- Shovel
Malla- Fence (my-ya)
Rolvervadora- Mixer
Mescladora- Other cement mixer (for blocks)
cemento- cement
Escoba- Broom
Mopiador- Mop
Subir- To climb
.... Of course I'm going to have to double check all of these, because I "learned" them yesterday I'm sure I'm off on a few of them...
Thinking about going to bed now so I can explore tomorrow! But first....
Some photos...
Where one of the floors will be poured in Tecate
Wood house built by Corazon, in Tecate.
Near where the groups will be working in Tecate
Ranch Ojai, where the San Diego State group will be staying.
VERY important word to know when you are learning Spanish... SLOW DOWN!
The red you see is the end of the wall. This is standing at the orphanage in Tecate the group will be visiting, looking into the mountains at where the wall stops.
Hasta Luego Amigos
Vaya con Dios
Friday, February 3, 2012
Not a lot of Mac users reading my blog...
Google amazes me! I can check how many people have viewed my blog (213). How many yesterday (37). Where they are (US, Russia, and Mexico), what browser they are using, and what platform they are using (Windows, MAC, android, ipad, iphone, etc.) SO while all of you are reading about me, I get to read a little about you!
Anyway! So far I have done no building. Just visiting, e-mailing, and planning. Which is good, and necessary but I'm ready to get to work! Tomorrow will be our first day of work (if local college students decide to come volunteer)! I'm looking forward to it! We will either be fixing a roof or pouring a floor! Both things I have done before, but am looking forward to doing again!
My Spanish is still rough if anyone wants to Skype and practice will me I would be SUPER greatful! I've been looking up Spanish phrases, and trying to participate in conversations, but my comprehension is a lot slower than everyone else's speech. It's coming along though. Slowly...
Now as soon as I wrote we haven't worked yet we are about to start working on fixing a roof here at the Posada today! Guess we're putting my fear of heights to the test! Yay!
I'll write more later! Adios!
Anyway! So far I have done no building. Just visiting, e-mailing, and planning. Which is good, and necessary but I'm ready to get to work! Tomorrow will be our first day of work (if local college students decide to come volunteer)! I'm looking forward to it! We will either be fixing a roof or pouring a floor! Both things I have done before, but am looking forward to doing again!
My Spanish is still rough if anyone wants to Skype and practice will me I would be SUPER greatful! I've been looking up Spanish phrases, and trying to participate in conversations, but my comprehension is a lot slower than everyone else's speech. It's coming along though. Slowly...
Now as soon as I wrote we haven't worked yet we are about to start working on fixing a roof here at the Posada today! Guess we're putting my fear of heights to the test! Yay!
I'll write more later! Adios!
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