The minimum wage here in Mexico is 47 pesos per day. Most of the janitors at my school work for that much, or maybe a little more. A few of the younger professors here make about 70 pesos a day. The mexican equivalent of a senator makes 122,565 pesos per month (4,085 per day), recieves a government car, and enjoys several other costly benefits.
My roomate Mark went and played squash this morning at an old colonial hacienda with his professor. Afterwards, Felipe (Mark’s professor) took him to a poorer part of Cuernavaca, and showed him what over 50% of the mexican population lives like. Mark said that most of the houses were basically shacks (pallets,cardboard, etc.), and that the government had put up a bunch of billboards to block the view of the neighborhood from the highway. Nobody sees it.
Now for the real kicker: 47 pesos ~ $4.50, 70 pesos ~ $6.80, 4,085 pesos ~ $400.
Most of those shacks are family homes, and many are living on $8 or less per day.
Is this a guilt trip? Heck no, but I hope it’s a thought and action trip.
TJ Lyttle is taking a team to a place called Rosebud Indian Reservation this summer, and there is an equal need there for people who know what it means to love. I think giving money is a great thing, but if people see your face, and see your hands, it will communicate a lot more than a $20 bill could ever do. Use this summer well.
“It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.”
-Momma T
Disclaimer: Rosebud and Mexico are two places that Teege and I, respectively, have especially large hearts for. There are countless places in the U.S. that are in great need as well. I’m just biased towards physically/outwardly poor people. Mother Theresa also said, “Loneliness is the most terrible poverty.”
Have a great day guys, go love some people!
