Guatemala
Belize
Cuba
Mexico
Haiti – is a country in distress- politically, environmentally and because of the various global powers that have taken advantage of their government over the last 200 plus years (France, Germany, United States). The country currently has over 11 million people. The government is non-existent as the military has taken over the country at this moment. Poverty is rampant due to the previously named nations exploitation of people and the resources of the country. Haiti and the Dominican Republic may be on the same island in the Carribean, but the disparity between the two countries is great. French and French Creole are the main languages. The economy is very informal. So why are so many refugees coming to the United States? People want to work. People want an opportunity for a better life.
If you walk through downtown Magic City you will notice new storefronts that resemble Queens the borough in New York City and now has a more diverse population than 1994. You will see stores that once empty, now hosting bodegas and places to wire money out of Charleroi. Why?
There are jobs.
There is affordable housing.
There is transportation to the workplaces.
After the shopping malls, Lowe’s, Walmart and other big retailers landed over in Rostraver, the town of Charleroi lost it’s walkable grocery stores, retail outlets, department store and in town radio station. So now the development of new retail locations, cash transfer places and bodegas now creates a sense of community and connection for the new residents. These stores also allow the new workers to send money back home to their family that didn’t make the journey.
Remittances from Haitians living abroad are the primary source of foreign exchange, equaling one-fifth (20%) of GDP and more than five times the earnings from exports as of 2012. In 2004, 80% or more of college graduates from Haiti were living abroad
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiti
Our other hometown was featured this week in the news because of the influx of immigrants into the school system. This highlights the disparity in how the commonwealth funds public education.
Every child deserves a chance and needs the right tools in their tool-belt.
After the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after being hit directly by the Dali container ship, we are reminded how important immigrants are to building our infrastructure. The lives lost by the repair crew is a reminder that people still come to the United States for hope. Why are these people coming to the United States? What are these people sending back to their homelands?
As long as we have global conflicts, we will continue to see movement of people to safer lands of opportunity.
Charleroi, PA – Haiti, Northern Africa
Rouyn-Noranda, QC – Columbia, Northern Africa
Coraopolis, PA
Destin, FL – Chile, Jamaica