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."
How do you know they are illegal?
I see only three responses to this inquiry. The first is that the migrants would already be vaccinated if they were here legally. I don't see how this is so; There is no requirement for international travellers to the USA to be vaccinated for anything. Another is that the illegal alien population in N.C. is growing rapidly. This is a reason for suspicion but not for condemnation. There are many legal migrants in many farming areas part of the year. The 3rd responder claims that the migrants would already know about government programs if they were here illegally. Neither when applying for a visa or entering the country is a migrant informed of state and county programs.
Re: How do you know they are illegal?
Quote:
Originally Posted by artclam
Another is that the illegal alien population in N.C. is growing rapidly. This is a reason for suspicion but not for condemnation.
If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, acts like a rat, you don't need it to jump up and bite you in the ass to know that it is a rat.
Re: How do you know they are illegal?
Quote:
Originally Posted by wep561
Quote:
Originally Posted by artclam
Another is that the illegal alien population in N.C. is growing rapidly. This is a reason for suspicion but not for condemnation.
If it looks like a rat, smells like a rat, acts like a rat, you don't need it to jump up and bite you in the ass to know that it is a rat.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Re: How do you know they are illegal?
Quote:
Originally Posted by artclam
I see only three responses to this inquiry. The first is that the migrants would already be vaccinated if they were here legally. I don't see how this is so; There is no requirement for international travellers to the USA to be vaccinated for anything. Another is that the illegal alien population in N.C. is growing rapidly. This is a reason for suspicion but not for condemnation. There are many legal migrants in many farming areas part of the year. The 3rd responder claims that the migrants would already know about government programs if they were here illegally. Neither when applying for a visa or entering the country is a migrant informed of state and county programs.
Art, I see your point but there are too many mentions of children and family members in this article. Yes there are areas that still use "Migrant" workers. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the "Migrant" workers could bring their families with them. The individual workers were all that are cleared by the farmers. They came did the work for the season and left.
I'm getting sick of all the catering we do. Why a "Fiesta". Like someone said earlier, the illegals know what's going on within days of getting here. If not before. The have developed a good network.
