Around 170 farm workers They were recognized for their contribution to the countryside during the XV Catholic Meeting of Farmers, a day organized by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Newton Grove, to thank them for their work and strengthen their community.
“Today’s event is to bring together all the farmworkers who are here for 6 to 8 months in our diocese, so we feel they are part of us for all the time they are here,” said Lettie Balda, one of the organizers of the meeting.
Lettie explained that the idea is simply to create a meeting place for the workers to socialize and get to know each other.
“Many people come to work; many people make this sacrifice of leaving their families in order to provide for them,” he added.
“They are true heroes”
The day included a mass officiated by Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama, and the workers also enjoyed breakfast, lunch, fresh water, shaved ice, haircuts, games, prizes and raffles.
“We must be grateful for the sacrifice they make; they come from other countries, leaving their families behind, and work in the fields, in the rain, heat and humidity. They are true heroes who know how to sacrifice so that we can eat,” the bishop said.
Related: Vigil in Raleigh honors farmworkers who died from extreme heat
A free mobile clinic with five doctors was also offered, along with donations for the workers.
“We check glucose levels, blood pressure, and see if they want to see a doctor,” explained Azucena del Río, a volunteer nurse at the event.
The clinic also allows them access to medicines without a prescription and receive treatment.
“We almost always see that they come with many rashes on their skin, back pains "and cramps," del Río said.
“Sometimes we discover here that they do have diabetes because they have never had their blood sugar checked,” the nurse added.
“They come out of love for their family”
The event celebrated its fifteenth anniversary and for farm workers it is a moment that gives them the energy to continue.
“When someone says thank you and acknowledges us in this way, it’s really nice. It feels good,” said Cruz Orozco, a farm worker.
The meeting also allows them to feel closer to their culture, their country, and to remember the reason behind all their hard work.
“It’s like we’re the Mexican national soccer team,” Orozco said, laughing.
“The workers come from Nayarit, Tamaulipas, Oaxaca, Hidalgo—I’m from Hidalgo—they come from all over the country,” he said. “And they come out of love for their families,” he added.
Read also: "The American Dream Is Not What It Used To Be": The Life of a Farmworker Between Mexico and North Carolina.
More than just a haircut
With scissors and hair clippers in hand, Maria Tapia dedicated part of her Sunday to providing free services to the agricultural workers who participated in the XV Catholic Meeting of Farmers.
Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, and a cosmetologist by profession in the cities of Fayetteville and St. Pauls, Tapia told Enlace Latino NC who has been participating as a volunteer in this event for 11 years.
“I’ve been coming to this event for 11 years. It feels wonderful to serve others and see them leave happy and grateful for their haircut,” he said.
Maria explained that, with the support of other volunteers, they perform around 80 haircuts during the event.
“It’s a beautiful project. Thank God we have health, life, and strength to continue doing our part for the farm workers,” he added.
As the sound of the machine breaks the silence for a few seconds, José, an agricultural worker originally from Tlaxcala, observes his new haircut in front of the mirror with a smile.
“I knew they were coming and we thank them for being here and cutting our hair,” she said.
José, who is in his ninth season of agricultural work in North Carolina and works in the Clinton area, said that the biggest challenge of his day is the intense heat.
“I work in tobacco and sweet potato fields, and the hardest part is enduring the heat. We start our day at 6 in the morning and sometimes finish at 9 at night,” he said.
Before returning to his work, José said he would take advantage of the change in image.
“So, when my haircut is over, I’m going to enjoy it for a little while and then it’s back to work tomorrow,” she concluded.
Estefanía Pinto Ruiz is the reporter covering democracy, immigration, and rural communities at Enlace Latino NC through Report for America.
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