Essay On Colonias

Colonias are set up on the border of Texas and Mexico. These colonias lack the most basic living necessities, such as clean water and sewer systems, electricity, paved roads, and safe and sanitary housing. There are many communities that are far worse than others with no electricity at all. These people need assistants but not many are willing to help. There are many ways that Texas has tried to assist these communities but there are so many. Here are a few ways that Texas has helps as well as some of the struggles these residents deal with on a day to day
The people that live in the colonias had to fight for the things they received and with “constant protests by residents, belated regulations by the state, and influx of aid from government and private groups they have received access to water lines and safe sewage disposal (Eckholm).” This hasn’t happened in all colonias but a few are slowly growing for the better. Families are transforming hovels into homes, one wall and window at a time. Groups have told residents in these colonias to contract for garbage and recycling collections. Most communities don’t have trash pickup like most cities. They gather their trash and burn it. As well as to build a park with a community center and a walking path; things that would be seen in cities across Texas. Receiving basic services in colonias are big accomplishments. Not just for the services gained but the sense of having an actual community and a growing life. “People see the colonias as a bunch of run-down places where all these Hispanics live in squalor (Eckholm),” says Jorge Vanegas, director of the Center for Housing and Urban Development at Texas A&M University. However, those people are wrong. These colonias have more ambition that most. They work harder than most to try and make their life and their families lives better. “We’ve seen progress on many fronts… although new, underserved colonias “keep popping up in new areas” (Eckholm).” Many groups and residents of