Health Action Center Opening in Milan, Missouri

Written by Axel Fuentes

(Español mas abajo)

As we all know,  there are currently thousands of Americans who have no access to health care, and this quandary is compounded for those living in rural areas.

But for immigrants living in these areas, the situation is much worse.

There are many issues and concerns relating to health that affect rural communities, and the small, isolated community of Milan, Missouri, is no different. I have so often – too often – listened to families who feel completely disconnected from the health system via the lack of interpreters working with health-care providers, the high cost of medical care, the lack of avenues to receiving health insurance, the lack of education… Read more

Health

Slow Down the Line: Safer Food, Safer Workers

Written by Axel Fuentes

Over the years cases of contaminated food being sold to consumers have been frighteningly frequent. As is the case of the recent outbreak of Turkey meat contaminated with salmonella, which at the time of writing has already claimed one life.

Food Justice

Our Dinner Tables and the Cost of Human Lives (en Español tambien)

Written by Axel Fuentes

(Español mas abajo)

Frighteningly, the cases of workers dying while harvesting or processing the food we consume on daily basis in this country are frighteningly frequent.

Though they are exposed to different threats and dangers across their respective industries of employment, what is universal is this—these workers are asked to sacrifice life-and-limb, literally, with very little reward for their struggles.

According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2009 there were 3,277,700 total recordable cases of “Nonfatal Injuries and Illnesses [among] Private Industry” businesses. Beyond those injuries, 4,090 on-the-job fatalities were reported and recorded within the private sector.

Immigration

Those who are Not Allowed to Advance

Written by Axel Fuentes

Opposition to progress continues to grow as the nation struggles to deal with economic and social problems. Such is the case when it comes to the issue of immigration reform. Although the majority of the public is in agreement that a solution to the migration issue is desperately needed, several politicians still remain adamantly opposed to finding one, and it is exasperating problems faced by the working class.

The Obama Administration recently convened a meeting that re-opened the possibility of immigration reform, but the response from Republicans was clear: they oppose any proposal introduced for immigration reform. Opposition to health care reform and the adoption of the national budget was also strong – both important… Read more

Immigration

De regreso a casa/Back to Home

Written by Axel Fuentes

Ahora escribiré la historia  de Ramiro  un trabajador  inmigrante  que conocí en Milan,  Missouri y que ahora esta a punto de regresar a su casa en situada en una aldea remota en Guatemala  después de haber pasado cierto tiempo en Los Estados Unidos.

Ramiro, obligado por las necesidades de poder alimentar a  su esposa y 3 hijos decidió dejar atrás a su familia y emprender viaje rumbo a Los Estados Unidos, después de muchas barreras y dificultades  que casi le cuestan la vida finalmente llega al estado de Arizona en donde trabajo un tiempo para algunos contratistas de construcción los cuales algunas veces no le pagaron por los trabajos realizados, después de  6 meses se… Read more

Food Justice

Holiday gathering brings together Latino community

Written by Axel Fuentes

On December 5, 2010, the Latino community in Milan, Missouri gathered to celebrate the winter holidays.

Kids and adults alike were in eager anticipation as the holiday party signaled a break in their usual routines.  Working adults were able to relieve some of the stress of their often tough lives, many of who work 10-hour days at the local meat-packing plant.

Working together, student leaders from the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) of Truman State University, members of the Health Action Council (HAC), several church congregations, and other community organizations from Milan and Kirksville made this event possible.

Mejor venado que jamon

Written by Axel Fuentes

En el estacionamiento de una tienda de comida me encuentro Bill, quien regresaba de ir de caza.  En la parte trasera de su camioneta, cargaba un gran venado con unos preciosos cuernos.  Con curiosidad le pregunte, “Que haría con ese venado?”

Pensando que su respuesta sería que solo le quitaría los cuernos para mantenerlos como decoración de su casa, asi como se mantiene un trofeo y como muchos de los cazadores lo hacen.  Pero su respuesta fue diferente.  “En estos tiempos cuando uno ya ni siquiera sabe ni con que alimentan a las vacas, los marranos o los pollos, creo que es mejor comerse un pedazo de venado cazado en los bosques que un jamón… Read more

News

Mineros Rescatados

Written by Axel Fuentes

El 5 de agosto del 2010 el trágico accidente en la mina  “San José” conmociono a la republica de Chile. 33 mineros fueron sepultados a más de 700 metros bajo cientos de toneladas de rocas. Después de 17 días la buena noticia de que los 33 mineros permanecían vivos alegró a la nación y por la esperanza que ésta noticia representaba hizo que los medios de comunicación no prestaran tanta atención a las razones por las cuales este accidente ocurrió.

La compañía minera San Esteban es la propietaria de de la mina San José, es una  explotación de oro y cobre muy Antigua ubicada en Atacama,  Zona del desierto mas árido del mundo,  como toda… Read more

Immigration

No More Politics Before People

Written by Axel Fuentes

Some upcoming candidates for the next election focus more on their political platforms than they do the actual needs of people in this country.  While many are fighting for who can get the most votes in November, politicians are at the same time ignoring many of the needs and values in the U.S.  This is especially the case when we see politicians that are blocking the DREAM Act.

The DREAM Act would allow immigrant youth  from all countries of origin who are under 35 years old and who arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16 the opportunity to gain legal status by either attending college or joining  the military. 

Health

Low Wage Workers Fired for Injuries on the Job

Written by Axel Fuentes

Day after day, I converse with workers and hear about issues that affect their health and safety, which include injuries and accidents in the workplace.  There have been several workers, especially immigrants, who have told me their personal stories. Today though, I am only going to focus on one of the issues that plague them.

The well-being of many immigrant workers is largely affected because they are expected to do the most dangerous jobs and are the most disadvantaged when claiming their rights. In most cases of course, fear is present. The fear of reprisals from employers or even fear of the government.  There are several cases I have heard about in which workers are… Read more