Stories of the People of Juarez

Martha's Story

Mar 15 2011

As a youngster I lived a life of violence in my family. When I was six years old I made the decision that I would not live in violence when I was grown. At age twelve I started to work and by the time I was eighteen I was married with a child.  This marriage was very difficult because it too was violent. So with great sorrow in my heart I left my village in Zacatecas and went to Ciudad Juarez. I left my little girl with my mother thinking that I could bring her to Juarez when I got settled.

Antonia's Story

Feb 23 2011

Hola! My name is Antonia (Tonya). I was born in Villahermosa, Tabasco,
Mexico. I am
thirty years old now. As a child I lived with my grandparents. When I reached
the age of thirteen I left them and lived on the street until I was fifteen.

At that age I moved to another city, to Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz,
where I met my husband. After we were together for two years my son, Leonardo
Nicolai, was born.

Saira's Story

Jan 10 2011

 

Elodia's Story

Nov 10 2009

Elodia is a direct descendent of a tribe of indigenous people called the Mizteco who live in the state of Oaxaca, in southern Mexico. Her parents were a part of the tribe and spoke the language. She neither lived as part of the tribe nor speaks the language. She is a very busy woman, selling candy and chips on the side to gain income in addition to what she earns with the cooperative. Here is her story, translated from the original Spanish.

Ester's Story

Sep 14 2008

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.

Rosalia's Story

May 2 2008

Rosalia is an active member in the community garden project. She is one of a number of women who passionately wants to change the horrible condition of the environment around them in the dump. These women are organizing to get the government to come clean up the trash and dead animals around the neighborhood.

 

Consuelo's Story

Feb 27 2008

Consuelo (known fondly as Chelito) has been living in Colonia Panfilo Natera since its beginning when the dump it is built on was still active. On first arriving, she received a great deal of help from a man named Frank who has a clinic and distribution center at the base of the dump. She was also one of the founders of Centro Santa Catalina and the women's sewing cooperative. Here she describes the beginnings of her life in the colonia and how she came to meet the Dominican Sisters who started Centro Santa Catalina.