What we need now:

• Electric sewing machines  - 5 women in Boquillas now have solar power and are waiting for electric sewing machines (7 have already been set up).
• Used,  but still usable laptops - we need 4 for the Boquillas elementary, 4 for the Las Norias Elementary and 4 for the Las Norias Secondary school, where we will install Internet this Fall (have the satellite dish already).
• CASH - bought a solar water pump for the people of San Vicente (they came to us and asked us to help them have drinking water too).  So, once again, I just put it on my credit card, I take it to them May 22nd, but would love to be paid back soon. It would also be great to have some cash to help Boquillas through the summer months, when tourists and sales are almost non-existent.

How You Can Help, and Why You Should

Fronteras is a community idea, but its philosophies are universal.  Helping others in need is an action that carries its own justifications.  But there are other reasons to help Fronteras, and while they may not be more important, they may very well be more practical. 

Our Big Bend borders have historically been peaceful in large part because of the comparative prosperity of our neighbors.  Without economic struggle, illegal immigration and drug smuggling become unnecessary.  Our neighbors would much rather make an honest living at home than risk their lives and freedom by becoming criminals.  But Mexico is very much a developing nation, and so it falls on us to help them along.  The effects of not helping can be plainly seen in Arizona, New Mexico, California, and other parts of Texas, such as Nuevo Laredo.  We believe that we can do with education and cooperation what our nation has been unable to do with guns and fences.

The success of the Fronteras programs depends on our ability to sell the handicrafts we buy and import in Boquillas.  We cannot create a sustainable economy with donated money or goods—for this idea to work, the money has to be earned by the villagers.  Craft sales and craft development are the most important parts of what we do.  Purchasing crafts, either to sell in your store or to enjoy yourself, can literally help to save the life of our border.

Yet, as Fronteras is a new organization comprised entirely of volunteers, monetary donations are very helpful.  Until we have a steady open market for the handicrafts, expenses like gasoline come out of our volunteers' pockets, or diminish what we are able to purchase from Boquillas.  It is also very important to make a purchasing run as often as possible, to help build trust between our organization and the villagers.  Monetary donations sometimes are used to help us purchase crafts if we are unable to sell enough within a month to finance the next trip.

Donate to Fronteras Unlimited >>

100% of your contribution will go to the people of Boquillas, either to purchase crafts, pay for craft transportation and importation, or to help fund a community improvement project, such as our solar water pump.

We thank you for your support!