Tijuana is a city of transition. Unlike the idea of a small town (pueblito) in southern Mexico, where one is born and dies in the same place, very few people spend more than a decade in Tijuana. Most all Mexicans arrive here with plans to migrate even further north into the United States. However, as their plans change for many, many reasons, they become “stuck” in the growing metropolis of Tijuana. Most of the residents here have family down south and in the U.S. (some legal, and others illegal). And due to its proximity to the States, hundreds of factories have burgeoned within the city, taking advantage of the abundant, cheap labor. All of this has made Tijuana one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico – most of it, unplanned.

The educational system (just like the infrastructure of roads, utilities, garbage pickup, and everything else) is playing catch-up with this incredible explosion. And as a result, public schools in poor areas are disastrous, doing little to provide an opportunity for success. Kids are left to fall through big cracks in the system. Teachers come and go, and in many cases, don’t even show up. Class sizes are monstrous and out of control. School supplies are no where to be found, and restrooms are horrendous. All of this leaves elementary-aged boys and girls very steep slopes to surmount.