It has been a fairly quiet time in the neighbourhood this past month. Lots going on in Progreso with motorcycle rallies, beach business with 2-3 long weekends and great weather but quiet in the village.
The dispensa went well and everyone seemed fine. Summer is coming and the temperatures are going up and people are doing only what is needed to be done.
The weather was fine and everything went off without a hitch…even singing happy birthday (Spanish and English) to one of the clients whose birthday it was.
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- Treats for each family
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- Yahir checks the vitamin list
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- Birthday smiles
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- Paper work
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- Ladies in waiting
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- Gents are waiting
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- On track
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- Carmita hard at it
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- Yahir wants something!
The needs in the village are still about the same but the demographics are shifting. I used to have a significant number of young families and averaged 4 newborns a year but this year the seniors are winning out.
New Families:
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- “Glady” Lidia del Socorro
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- Alicia Maria
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- Rosa and family
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- New family head Maria
The young couples who have appeared in Chicxulub, along the cienaga are ones that expect it all without doing much for themselves to make it happen.
By that I mean they might have a scooter, a cable TV but still expect to receive a dispensa monthly. I explain to them that they are managing ok in that they can afford the monthly cost for T V programming and fuel for the scooters and that is more than many of the seniors.
They get annoyed with me but I need to ensure that those who have a real need are able to receive.
So onward I go, visiting people in their homes, asking questions and making observations. Many things change but equally many things stay the same.
Candid photos from touring the village…
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- Rosa and family
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- Alicia Maria
And so life goes on for each of us, doing the best we can do.
A few are getting the El Norte disease (not the windstorm, either). No, they expect help when they are getting by. At home we know many ‘poor’ whose young kids have better i-phones than my professor son. and they have better toys than many kids on my street. (upper middle, i would say we are.) I guess the subsidized rent and the food bank allow them the other niceties. it may be a question of priorities. But this is why we give to the Chix food bank, not the local ones. Once you see really poor, your outlook adjusts somewhat.
Yes it is very interesting to see this shift in expectations even here i the village. I appreciate your comment as I work hard to ensure the right folks are receiving the help. Thanks for your continued support.