"Crossing the Border" México by brighidnatasha

The first time I went to Mexico, I crossed over the border in San Diego with my family. We were only there for awhile, my father seemed to thoroughly enjoy haggling over items for sale. I remember distinctly the beggers along the bridge, and the fact that my mother wouldn't let me give them money.

The second time, I went with Francisco. He was working with an organization that helps women and children in Calexico and Mexicali. He told me about the "coyotes" who take people's savings, promising to take them over the border into the US. But instead, they get abandoned at the border, with no money and no home.

The group Francisco was with was helping particularly women establish gardening and small business in this region. Their stories were inspiring. We visited a group that was beekeeping, and making money selling the honey, wax candles, etc.

The people here were very kind to me, gave me a lot of good food (cactus salsa!) and many smiles. I love this picture of this woman who had a gorgeous garden and a great smile!