We here in this office serve,
like I said, as a resource.
We have a translator,
for example, who translates for large events
all the way down to the smallest things,
who is right now accompanying a lady, an older woman
from the nursing home to her appointment with
Social Security. So that the doctor understands
what is being said during these appointments
through this interpretation. Translation of diagnoses,
of whatever they want. Whatever.
Whatever information you want to reach the Mennonites,
we translate. We have translated
many transit campaigns,
many civil protection campaigns. For the winter,
for heaters. We translate everything we are asked to
translate. We have gotten a lot of information
we edit, translate, and print
in German. Sometimes, also,
if we have- we don't have much of a budget-
but sometimes
we have printed that information.
Also, in the health sector
we organize fairs and health brigades
in many of the most remote Campos,
like I told you, we serve all the way up to El Sabinal.
We go to traditional schools,
and the more open ones
allow us to do vaccinations. It's totally voluntary
It is completely voluntary, but every time more children come
with their shot records, with parental approval to receive
a vaccine. In the incorporated schools
we also have some projects
in which we go with the health services
to the schools. Last year we were going
to all the incorporated schools
like Colegio Obregón
the Obregón school that's in Campo 38 1/2
and 106- no, 107.
Yes, 107.
Yes, we went to their schools, along with
the health sector. We, the entire government,
we try to see ourselves
as a team. And everything
we have at our disposal, we pool
in order to serve. For example,
we worry about everything
here at the municipal level and at the state level
concerning the economy.
The programs, lending,
from the municipality or the municipalities
for the farmers for the day laborers
that work
for the Mennonites because many times
don't know that this is available from us.
We work together as a team with the Centro de Salud,
and we work a lot with them
especially in giving health fairs in the Campos.
We have general practitioners, pediatricians,
OBGYNs. They do mammograms,
they do
cervical cancer screenings,
vaccinations, screenings for chronic diseases
as hypertension and diabetes.
Doctors, specialists, come to give talks
The health sector goes to schools to present
on "The Healthy Plate"
and the importance of physical activity.
They check height and weight.
They give vaccines
and even have videos on how to properly brush teeth
and various other topics, and they discuss
symptoms of serious illnesses
that they could be on guard for.
Everything the schools allow us to present,
because not all the information is allowed.
We have to show the directors
what we are going to present to the children
and they tell us "Yes," or "No."
Because Mestiza education
is a bit more open about many topics, right?
And Mennonite education is more conservative
in that aspect, so
so we share what we are allowed to.
It is the same in our educational work,
we help get ourselves close to the schools
for example, there is a school with people
who also attend to indigenous children.
So we help with the process of incorporating
through SEP (Secretaría de Educación Pública). (Department of Public Education)
We're a link between them and SEP
in the process of incorporation into the Department.
For those interested in education, we have an agreement
we have an agreement with ICHEA, (Instituto Chihuahuense de Educación para los Adultos) (Chihuahuan Institute for Adult Education)
and we invite and help them. We have them at the fairs,
so that the Mennonites who studied at traditional
schools have access to education
Because the traditional schools only go to 5th grade,
and only include German, Bible, and basic math.
And then they go work on the farm.
But many want more education,
so we have ICHEA
There aren't schools or many resources,
but through ICHEA they can have the books
at home to study independently,
and write an exam to receive their diploma.
A Mexican credential?
Yes, yes, yes. They finish their studies.
There are many colonies that I mentioned,
where they- for example, here in Jagueyes.
The case of Jagueyes is very interesting.
they are incorporated,
but into American schools.
So they have programs, and at times also
have online classes, and they get
a high school diploma. Yes, but
without a Mexican credential?
Yes, but with high school. Which is valid here.
This high school is certified.
Or many times because they aren't interested-
people with more resources aren't interested in further studies here.
They finish high school and go attend university
in the United States. In Jagueyes, a colony
that has a certain autonomy,
the majority of the schools are incorporated.
There is also a lot of research and
discussion about Jagueyes.
They have their own print shop. They translate their books.
They buy them in English and translate them into German.
And there are many countries that buy what they print.
And they buy German books
from Belgium, from Germany in German.
They are basic primary books,
but adapted for them.
Not SEP that contain topics on sexuality
that the traditional schools don't accept.
The books that they produce are all on topics they accept.
And then,
in the area of economics-
we have spoken about health and education-
in the area of economics, we coordinate events
We coordinate events with businesses,
for example, the largest event we do is the Expo Menonita
every other year in September.
We help with the organization,
the distribution
getting funders to make sure it happens,
as a way of boosting the economy.
For the farmers
As to the cultural aspect of our work,
well, we foster individual and collective participation,
and we organize meetings with youth
to organize activities because many times
there aren't activities here on the Corredor.
so we have
So we have tried to implement various
activities with the youth. I think this
is something you are familiar with-
and so from their point of view this is something
we can help them with organization and outreach.
What we can do within the scope of our organization
and if we can't, well, we can look for those who can.
Those with more resources. This is a project
that we are managing
and the way we broke into that last year
with a very cool event
we organized in December, which was the Parade of Lights.
For Christmas with a group of youth.
It was initiated by them, and it was a success.
We were very happy with it.
So this year we would like to continue, maybe
with baseball tournaments,
or organize whatever they suggest.
So that we can help with-
they are just hanging out in the streets-
so we need to have more healthy activities.
They are far from the city. If they want to go to the movie theater
or something, not everyone can, they have no way of going.
They also don't have many things,
so we are worried about that.
And in the cultural aspect,
we also look for events,
and help with organizing and support,
different competitions.
We encourage participation
in La Festival de las Tres Culturas (The Festival of Three Cultures)
so that the Mennonite culture is also represented.
Basically. Basically, we want to-
social development includes every area,
but we principally focus
on what is most necessary.
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