Burgos is located in the Northwest corner of the State of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Burgos proper is a town of just over 1000 inhabitants, but the region, similar to a county, is the home of 115 localities in approximately 1925 sq. kilometers. Most heads of household perform day labor on ranches or in some type of construction. For just a few dollars a day, these men work up to 12 hours daily in jobs such as pastoring sheep, moving concrete block and cement, building homes, or in other labor. Women tend to household duties and children. Some families keep a small store in the front of their house with “convenience type” items such as water, cokes, bread, etc. to earn a few extra dollars. Education is free through the 6th grade, but fees are charged to attend “Secundaria” (Jr. High) and “Preparatoria” (High School). Most smaller communities have a “Primaria”, grades 1-6, but older students must travel to a larger community to continue their education. Dormitories or relatives are options for students who can not afford or manage the daily travel to upper-level schools. Due to a shortage of teachers, some children are taught by high school students who earn scholarship money by traveling to poorer communities, after completing their school day, to teach in the afternoons. Most children in the rural communities do some type of work to assist their parents. For example, Osiel spends his mornings tending sheep, and returns to work after 3 hours of afternoon classes. Children enjoy futbol, or soccer. If they can find a ball, they will play. The region produces a few crops, the majority of which are grain, corn, and beans. There is a clothing factory and a broom factory to compose the major industry. Tourism is primarily for hunting due to the abundance of white wing dove in the area. Most of the smaller communities survive without running water and electricity, though some use solar panels received from government programs. |
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