Acuña Schools
Ten years ago, as thousands of families arrived in hope of jobs at the factories, the city of Acuña was overwhelmed. There was not enough housing and prices for homes and apartments increased because of the demand. Also, the new arrivals found that everything from food to clothing was priced almost out of their reach in the border-cities. People began to 'invade' unused government land. They fenced of a little plot of land and then cleared the land of rocks, cactus, thorn-bushes and snakes. They then built small shacks made from cardboard, scraps of wood, plastic and whatever was at hand.
The city made rough cut dirt roads into these new colonias, but the people lacked electricity, access to water, sewage lines and schools. The new residents did not to wait for the government to fix things. Instead, they began clearing plots of land and building their own schools. These were also constructed of cardboard and scrap materials. Parents help meetings and some volunteered to teach the children.
The government eventually sent certified teachers and replaced these make-shift schools with brick and mortar building. As the population grew, the government sent in 'portable buildings' to accommodate the children. Some of these portable buildings were similar to those used in the United States. Others were old tractor trailer containers. Some of these still exist in 2010. Some kindergartens are still nothing more than an abandon bus.
School is taught in shifts to accommodate the number of children. There is a morning sessions and an afternoon session at all public schools. There are two shifts of teachers, two principals, and two shifts at our cafeterias.
Parents often find that their children are not assigned to the same school shift and sometimes they are not assigned to the closest school. Because of the high demand in some colonias and the every changing population, some children must pay for transportation because 'their' school bus does not service their colonia.
Teachers from the United States, including university professors and department chairs, have marveled at the education the children of Acuña receive. Professor Donald Frohlich's remark is typical, "These 7th grade students are doing science work that is taught to college students."
Although the Acuña schools lack heat, air conditioning, decent desks, gymnasiums, sports teams, and libraries the schools have something lacking in the United States. Parents and society hold teachers in high esteem. Parents expect teachers to control the children and there is discipline in the schools. Students do not run home to complain about a teacher's discipline. In fact, most students hope their parents never find out that they caused a teacher to single them out because of their behavior.
Parents must pay $70 for each school uniform and another $70 for school supplies. For some parents, this represents two and a half weeks of their take-home pay! It is natural that parents hold their children strictly accountable.
Paper Houses assists families with school expenses. In exchange for some volunteer work at the school, we provide uniforms and school supplies. When the family situation is such that no family member is able to perform volunteer work, we provide the help gratis.
Many teachers drive over 150-miles to their school. They need the job and are paid well, compared with factory workers, shopkeepers and many others. Some live so far away that they rent apartments in Acuña and only return home on weekends.
Teachers from the United States, after participating in a Paper Houses Mission, returned and conducted workshops to further help the teachers in Acuña.
We ask the teachers and school director to advise us about any serious health problems. They bring us children that cannot hear, cannot walk, suffer from cancer, leukemia, and other medical problems. We investigate the situation and help everywhere we can.
Paper Houses also gives clothing to children in need, through the schools. The school teachers are in an excellent position to know what child needs shoes or a warm coat.