Family Fiesta Day for MIGRANTS in NC
Please offer me your comments on this story found in my local paper. What questions does this raise????
Annual event offers music, fun, education
Family Fiesta fun
By T. Scott Batchelor
The Daily Reflector
Monday, June 05, 2006
Signs adorned with icons of sombreros and maracas pointed the way to Wellcome Middle School on NC 11 north of Greenville Sunday.
There, it may be Wildcat Country most days, but it was the domain of area Hispanics on the annual Family Fiesta Day put on Sunday by the Pitt County Schools Migrant Education Program.
Up and running for at least 10 years, the fiesta has several purposes, said Audrey Nobles, director of the migrant program.
"The primary one is to introduce the migrant population to several different agencies and services that are available," Nobles said Sunday as Latin music pumped out of a cafeteria transformed into a stage for musicians.
"And to have fun," she said.
The perimeter of the school gym was lined with tables set up by groups and agencies ranging from the Boy Scouts to the Pitt County Health Department to the N.C. Agromedicine Institute.
That a celebration was on hand was evidenced by a table where kids and adults could get their faces painted with whimsical drawings; out back, an inflatable ride stood by where stocking children bounced around in the June heat.
"There's not a lot of Hispanics around here, so anytime we hear about entertainment we come to check it out," said Maurice Bick, who came with his father and baby sister.
His father spoke little English, allowing Maurice to field the questions.
The language barrier, not to mention cultural obstacles, is one reason the Pitt schools put on the fiesta every year to act as a one-stop-shopping site for nonprofits and government services, Nobles said.
"We want our migrant families to feel comfortable in our community," she said, "and the more exposure they have, the better."
Word traveled throughout the region, including to Kinston, where Idania Hernandez, 14, came with her mom, Beatriz, "Because we wanted to learn about all the stuff."
Nearby, part of the "stuff" was offered by the county health department.
"We're trying to let them be aware that immunizations are very important," said Peggy Valenti, a communicable disease nurse with the health department.
She said her department has seen cases of such diseases, including mumps and whooping cough, among the migrant population.
"Those can be prevented by getting your immunization," she said. "So often, (migrant workers) aren't aware that they need their shots."
Getting a shot likely wasn't on the mind of 9-year-old Robert Hernandez, but making a shot was, as he concentrated on tossing a colorful ring around the head of an inflatable dolphin.
"I'm trying every game they have," Robert said.
He picked up a couple of get-the-ball-in-hole games for ringing the dolphin.
He also had a flying disc and some play money for his game-playing prowess.
"This is, like, our first time," he said of the trip to Family Fiesta Day with his mom and two sisters.
"I just like to have fun."