Mexico has always been defined as being a transit route for illegal drugs, but the country now finds itself in a pitched battle with powerful and well financed drugs cartel. But the violence has increased dramatically since Felipe Calderon took office in 2006. More than 40,000 people have been killed. Calderon launched a war against the drug traffickers, which posses a serious threat to the country’s security.
Mexico produces and distributes marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine to most of the world. Its largest market, the U.S., sources 90% of its cocaine from Mexico. Drug trafficking is a lucrative activity for the Mexican cartels, generating estimated annual revenues of US$35 billion to US$45 billion for Mexico, with a profit margin of approximately 80%. For this reason, many cartels are fighting for the profits involved in producing and distributing drugs. Currently, seven powerful drug-trafficking organizations occupy different regions of Mexico. La Familia Michoacán, the Gulf Cartel, Los Zetas, the Beltrán-Leyva Organization, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Tijuana Cartel, and the Juárez Cartel. The Mexican drug war is an ongoing armed conflict taking place among rival drug cartels who fight each other for regional control, and Mexican government forces who seek to combat drug trafficking. However, the government's principal goal has been to put down the drug-related violence that was raging between different rival drug cartels in Mexico before any intervention was made.
Drug trafficking has affected Mexico in many ways people who have made reports of the trafficking in Mexico have been killed as well as the people who have tried to make a difference to stop drug trafficking, or who have opposed to help sell drugs. The violence is really hard and everyday people are being killed. Its been a horrible impact to everyone in that culture. People are scared to go out of there houses thinking they might get killed. They can’t have the freedom they once use to have.
The Buddy Program is located in 110 East Hallam Street, Suite 125 Aspen, Colorado. Buddy program was started in 1973, founded by Greg Anderson, Chaplin at a church in Aspen. He saw a need for mentors and that’s when he decided to do something about it. The buddy program provides mentoring for ages from 5 years to 18 years old. One great thing that the program does is that they pear you up to someone that is like you, someone you can get along with. The buddy program is great and wonderful; it’s a non-profit organization. It provides activities for the big buddies and little buddies to interact with each other. Big buddies take out little buddies to things such as the movies, lunch, breakfast, some pizza and many other things. A big buddy is there to support you, be your friend, help you, and to give you advice. The buddy program organizes activities for the big and little buddies that are free; there’s just one process to it, signing up because there are only certain amount of people allowed. The buddy program provides$100 scholarships to the little buddies who really need it; it provides counseling when needed and lots of other support, its just great.
What is a mentor? A mentor is defined as a “wise and rusted confident” or an influential supporter.” Mentoring is a one to one or group relationship that helps a child reach their full potential. Most people can recall a person, in addition to their parents, who had a meaningful and positive impact on them-someone who was their mentor. Mentoring is a powerful way for young people to develop competence and character and plays an important role in a child’s life. In this organization, their volunteer mentors are called “Big Buddies.” –The Buddy Program.
A Big Buddy is
- A Friend
- A positive Role Model
- A Confident
- Respectful of parents
- A Nurturer of Possibilities
I myself had a big buddy, I been in the buddy program for pretty much half of my life (8 years). At first I was shy and uncomfortable, but slowly I got adjusted and comfortable to talk to my buddy. I love being in the buddy program its lots of fun, I love doing all the activities one of the activities I like the most I would have to say is the annual buddy program celebration, which at first took place at the Hotel Jerome and now at Bumps in Buttermilk. The celebration is lots of fun, you get to eat, dance which is best part you have fun with your buddy and your family. Sole Lowe is my buddy she is the best I love her she’s like my second mom. Sole Lowe is senior program coordinator/case manager of the Buddy Program. Sole and I can talk about pretty much anything, she understands and gives me great advice; she Is always been there for me in every way, even when I have disappointed her. I’ve gotten to meat her in every way me have many things in common. She is a wonderful young lady; I love her personality, attitude, and her confidence. With her I have gotten to explore many things such as concerts in Snowmass, skiing, going up gondolas during fall, making ginger bread houses, mask, and other great things. She hasn’t just helped me but my family too. I enjoy spending time with her and talking about our problems, she has been a great role model for me, I have learned a lot from her and hope to learn more. She has made a wonderful difference in my life, im glad I am part of the buddy program.
I interviewed Sole and asked her a few questions, which she had great response to.
What do you like about the buddy program?
-She likes getting more involved in our community, staying in touch with what youth are going through, making an impact on someone’s life (as well as herself) building new friendships etc.
How did you decide to become a mentor?
-She wanted to become a mentor because at that time she didn’t have any nieces/nephews in town and was missing those interactions, also because she had mentors growing up and saw the impact they had on her.
Do you like what you do? -Shes loves it, its very gratifying and rewarding.
If you could change something about the program what would it be? -Have more male mentors so more male little buddies on the wait list get the experince the benefits of having a big buddy.
Become a difference.
"Every kid needs someone to talk to, an example to follow and a little guidance every now and then, and every adult could use a reminder from a kid about how to loosen up and to make having fun the priority in life that it really is." - Dr. Bill Boehm, Big Buddy