(Published Friday, April 13, 2007 12:12:59 PM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann Gazette staff
WHITEWATER-Berta Barillas was brought up to be proud of her Latino heritage.
Although her family immigrated to the United States from El Salvador about 26 years ago, the 31-year-old UW-Whitewater graduate student has strong ties to her homeland.
So does Ana Mayorga.
Another UW-Whitewater graduate, Mayorga teaches English Language Learners at Whitewater High School. The 26-year-old and her parents, who both are ministers, emigrated from El Salvador to New York 25 years ago.
Both women offered a glimpse of their lives and families Thursday during a panel discussion at UW-Whitewater that followed a documentary produced and directed by UW-Whitewater Professor James Winship.
Berta Barillas
Ana Mayorga
James Winship
El Salvador has more dreams than resources, Winship said.
The country is recovering from civil war that broke out in 1980 and lasted 12 years, claiming 75,000 lives.
Although the Central American country still has obstacles to overcome, the political climate isn't as repressive as it was during the 1970s. Leaders are trying to find solutions for the problems, Winship said.
Barillas' family emigrated because of the war, she said.
Many people believe that most of the Latino immigrants are coming to the United States from Mexico. But that's not always true, Barillas said.
From 25 to 30 percent of Salvadorans live in the United States, Winship said.
That means many of their children are growing up without fathers, who have come here to work as laborers to support their families back home, Winship said.
Families are splintered, he said.
While in the United States, Salvadorans are contributing to two economies, Barillas said.
"About 15 percent of the Salvador economy is based on people sending money back to loved ones," Barillas said.
The Latino men and women standing at the Western Union counter at the local grocery store are there to wire money to their families, Winship said.
Barillas grew up in a Latino community in the heart of Milwaukee. Today, she teaches at an alternative school in the same neighborhood.
"We make a conscious effort to give back," Barillas said. "There are certain things we can do (to make life better). Education is one answer."
