Mexico
Mexico is Americas neighbor to the South.
Mexico is a nation of 100 million people, 90% Roman Catholic, and 6% Protestant. A nation steeped in a mix of superstition and Catholicism with witch doctors in every neighborhood.
The population of Mexico is made up of a multitude of opposing identities. In the North you have desert and ranch lands where vaquero (cowboys) still ride the fence line on horseback. In the central part of the country you have Mexico City with its 22 million people. The pollution between December and May is so bad that driving restrictions are imposed. You can see carts drawn by burros on the busy streets next to the cars. The central part is very mountainous and has snow capped volcanoes. In the South you have lush green jungles and tropical fruits, where you can see the ancient ruins of the Aztecs and Mayans. Both the East and West coast border on Oceans with long stretches of sandy beaches.
The women of Mexico have traditionally stayed home with the children. The men have worked and supported the family. With the coming of industrialization the women have begun to work in Maquilas (factories) and the men are no longer the bread winners. This has increased the rate of alcoholism and domestic abuse. The men will not watch the children as this is considered a woman's place. The children are being left to raise themselves or being raised by older siblings that are not old enough for that job. Many six and seven year olds are raising three or four siblings. This and the growing drug problem in Mexico have caused an increase in the crime rate.
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Africa - Philippines - Mexico
Click Here for Ron & Bernadette's 2005 report from their trip to Africa.