Ester's Story

Esther lives in one of the nicer homes in the colonia, meaning it is painted and has a concrete front yard rather than being surrounded by rock and dirt. She came to Panfilo Natera when the dump was still active.

I was born in the state of Durango. I have five brothers and four sisters. My parents live in Durango. I came (to Juarez) when I was eighteen years old. I came because I had an aunt here. She came for me because they had to operate (on her) and she had no daughters here (in Juarez, to take care of her). After three years, I got married. That was when I came to live in this colonia. I have lived here for thirteen years. At first it was very difficult. I came when the colonia was a dump. It was very ugly to live in - horrible smells of trash. Twice we had to go to the other side of the dump because not one of us could breath. We also didn't have water or electricity and the buses (public transit) didn't come here. We had to go down to where there is pavement (to catch a ride down in the colonia below Panfilo Natera) I have been involved at Centro Santa Catalina for five years. I started to go (to CSC) for my oldest son because he is very shy and because I wanted him to be more sociable with other children. I have two boys and one girl. Thanks to Centro Santa Catalina, we are helped in many ways.