United Campus MinistryEast Stroudsburg University

Spring Mission 2003 A non-profit organization that

conducts travel seminars focusing on the issues of Mexican border communities.

People visit to explore global issues in the reality of the border environment.

Borderlinks

An opportunity for cultural immersion offering a firsthand experience with border complexities.

Entering Agua Prieta, Mexico

• Random inspection upon entering Mexico

• View entering from Douglas, Arizona

Returning to United States

• Entering into Douglas, Arizona through Agua Prieta.

• More technology used

Maquiladora

• A maquiladora is a foreign owned factory in another country.

• SHURE – an American owned factory in Agua Prieta. They make microphones

Maquiladora

• According to a floor manager, this was the breakdown of a particular microphone.– Retail value $108.00

(sold in U.S.)– Cost to SHURE:

• $28.00 in materials• $4.00 in labor

Maquiladora

• The average pay in a maquiladora can range from 30-100 pesos a day. That’s $3.00 - $10.00 a day in the U.S.

Levolor, a U.S. owned maquliadora, makes window blinds.

A matter of economics.

• With the value of the peso declining, and the combination of low cost products through NAFTA, it is more affordable for people in border communities in Mexico to cross the border to shop.

Above, a woman crosses the border to shop. Below, abandoned shopping carts left at the border.

Purchasing Power

2 L. Cola 13.20 1.32

1 gal. Milk 25.40 2.54

36 diapers 37.00 3.70

1 kg. Chicken 32.80 3.28

8 rolls toilet paper 33.60 3.36

16. Oz. Corn Flakes 23.50 2.35

1 quart mayonnaise 21.20 2.12

.5 kg. Pork 27.00 2.70

Groceries for a week Pesos US Dollars

Total 213.70 21.37

Purchasing Power

• Mexico

• Based on 40 pesos/day –($4.00 US dollars per day)

• (minimum wage is 40.35 pesos a day – figure above is rounded)

• $20.00 US dollars earned within a 5 day work week.

• 100% to buy groceries.

• United Sates• Based on $40 per day• (minimum wage $5.15

per hour – figure above is rounded to $5)

• $200.00 earned within a 5 day work week.

• 10% to buy groceries.

Colonia

A community living area where people who work together live together.

Colonia

• A Store in colonia and the store manager’s home.

Colonia

• Colonias vary. Some have no running water, sewer system or electricity.

Housing in Agua Prieta

• The dramatic distinctions in housing within a square mile reflect the wide gap between the socioeconomic status of the people.

Housing in Agua Prieta

Housing in Agua Prieta

• Some government supported housing is available.

Housing in Agua Prieta

• A variety of infrastructures exist within a square mile.

Solutions to a better way of life . .

• Some choose to venture on a very dangerous journey.

• A quote from a migrant, “I’d rather die trying (to cross into the U.S.) than starving.”

Solutions . . . .

• Crossing the border is more dangerous than it was before, especially after 9/11.

Solutions . . . .

• Some choose entrepreneurial efforts.

• People who choose this often form together as a group called a “cooperative”.

Solutions . . . .

• “Just Coffee”, a cooperative in Agua Prieta.

• It participates in “fair trade” instead of “free trade”.

• In fair trade there is a more balance distribution of profits.

Solutions . . . .

• We can help by supporting “fair trade” products.

Satisfied customers of “Just Coffee”

Solutions . . . .

• A sewing cooperative.

Solutions . . . .

• A family operated “tienda”, (store) out of their home.

Another satisfied customer!

Solutions . . . .

• A.L.F.O. – “Alliance of Border Workers”

• This organization educates maquiladora workers about their rights according to the laws of Mexico.

A.L.F.O. Office in Aqua Prieta.

Continued Efforts

• Supporting human dignity.

• Understanding of motivations for border crossings.

• Planting seeds for a global society entitled to human rights that belong to all, not just the wealthy! “Sagrada Familia”, Agua Prierta.

Something to think about.

• Why are these people smiling?

• They know that the soda they acquired supports a balance in profit distribution.

• Do you think about what you buy and who it supports?

Adios from United Campus Ministry and the border!

• Join us next year in El Salvador!

• Do you see yourself here?

Catching some relaxation at Maya Quetzal, a restaurant founded by Sanctuary refugees, Tucson, Arizona.