Comunidad Para Baja California

CHANGING LIVES

Hundreds of Nativo (Mexican indigenous people) children and their families gather in a museum courtyard in Ensenada. In addition to receiving their Becas (scholarships) for middle school (Secondaria), high school (Preparatoria) and Universidad, they participate in a health fair. They are tested for diabetes, tuberculosis and high blood pressure and receive classes in obesity, STD’s, pregnancy prevention and drug awareness, and meet with counselors about career opportunities.

Some of the children approach the Comunidad volunteers to say a shy thank-you, but it is the parents who come up to us, sometimes in tears, and thank us for giving their children the greatest gift of all:  a future.

OVERVIEW

The Nativo population that Comunidad serves lives in remote, neglected environments. Ignored by their government, they live a hardscrabble existence, with most families living at the lowest subsistence level. Sanitation is below basic, water quality is a constant issue, and electricity has only reached them in the past few years. Before Comunidad tribal schools had neither electricity nor heat—despite the fact that winter temperatures are regularly in the 30’s. 

OUR PROGRAMS: 

Beca (Scholarship) 

If you ask the Nativos which of our programs has had the greatest impact, to a person they will say the Beca program. Some background:  the Mexican government is required to provide education through the 9th grade. Because of their remote locations, there are no middle schools or high schools in the Nativo communities, the kids need to travel long distances or find housing near the school. In addition to their transportation and housing costs, they need to pay for tuition and supplies. Those children who can't pursue their education face tough choices:  work in the factories or the fields. Or, for young girls, early pregnancy.

Comunidad has made the commitment to the tribal communities that no child will ever have to abandon his or her education due to a lack of funds. Any student who qualifies (regular school attendance and a C+ average) receive scholarships ($200 for Universidad, $150 for High School, $100 for Junior High) a year for tuition, books, transportation, uniform and room/board.  

This program has blossomed over the years: we now support over 260 students ranging from Middle School to University.  We have had our first University graduates (2 teachers, one nurse, and one lawyer) and they now come back to help us administer the program and speak to the students about the importance of staying in school.

Salud (Health) 

Before Comunidad, many children had never seen a dentist or doctor. Prevention, vaccination and health education were simply not part of the culture. Comunidad now conducts regular dental clinics, has partnered with local doctors to create remote clinics, and conduct annual health fairs to do vaccinations, assessments and health education.

Infrastructura 

Before Comunidad, the Nativo communities lacked virtually every modern service. There was no electricity, potable water or sanitation systems. Classrooms had no heat or, in many cases, windows; roofs leaked and outhouses were their sanitation systems. Working with local agencies, with the tribes providing the labor, Comunidad has brought electricity and heat to the schools, repaired the roofs, installed septic systems and toilets, and created potable water systems. In addition, we just completed the construction of a 1200 sq. ft. clinic/community center in San Jose de la Zorra. These efforts are supported by both American and Mexican schools and volunteer organizations and by in-kind contributions for construction materials. 

Finally, since Comunidad is such a small organization, we leverage every resource we can—from local nursing and dental programs to Rotary Clubs on either side of the border to the City of Ensenada, which has given us the keys to the city as well as excellent support with their agencies. Along with the fact that Comunidad Board members underwrite the small administrative budget, this approach guarantees that every dollar you donate to Comunidad goes directly to helping the Nativo population.

Thank you

Find us at:

www.bajacomunidad.org