comunidad para baja california

Three Comunidad members and their families traveled to Ensenada in late July for a gathering of the indigenous tribes of Baja and Southern California. Known as a “Kuri Kuri”, the event featured Native Singers, dancers and artisans from the Paipai, Kumiai, Kiliwa and Cucapa tribes.

Hosted by CUNA, the Ensenada-based Native Cultures Institute, the Kuri Kuri also featured a gathering of health professionals dedicated to assisting the indigenous. Comunidad had a speaking slot on the agenda, in which Diane Manning, Pam Pearson and Tom Hogan discussed the Nativos’ most pressing health needs and Comunidad’s plans in the areas of services trips, health fairs, vaccination programs and clinic construction. The Promotoras (tribal advocates) expressed the need for local clinics (to help with early diagnosis by Comunidad and Mexican doctors and preventive medicine) and an Ensenada or Ojos Negros-based facility to help recuperating patients and their families.

During the Kuri Kuri, Comunidad was recognized from the stage for its contributions to the indigenous community. Specific mention was made of our service trips, donated vehicles (to the tribes as school buses and to CUNA for general use), and plans to deliver potable water to all the tribes.In addition to the Kuri Kuri, the trip included a visit by Diane Manning, Pam Pearson and Bill Lanfri to Santa Catarina, where the three surveyed the site of a new clinic, assessed the status of the water system, and met with local artisans about participation in Comunidad-sponsored activities in the Bay Area.

One lesson learned: everyone who has ever experienced the long waits at the San Ysidro border crossing has wondered about the efficiency of the Otay Mesa alternative crossing. Well, we can quit wondering. Rerouted by the police to Otay, we had a two-hour wait without the benefit of all the street vendors that make the San Ysidro crossing such interesting theatre. So the lesson is: avoid Otay, and when rerouted, double back as quickly as possible and attempt the eastern onramps.