MexicoTed - 12-19-2008 at 09:41 PM
Providing goods to needy in Baja
By Fernando Romero
December 19, 2008
TIJUANA — Like a pied piper of sorts, Agustin Lugo sounded the horn on his old Mazda Protege while driving through the streets of Colonia
Murua-Hidalgo, an impoverished neighborhood built helter-skelter on the eastern side of Tijuana, reminding residents that he was here again with food,
clothing and toys.
Lugo, 71, of National City has been making the trek to Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada at least once a week for 40 years, bringing provisions, hope and
prayer to the poor. A native Puerto Rican – he was born in the fishing village of Yabucoa – Lugo is a deeply religious man who empathizes with the
residents of Baja California.
“I firmly believe I'm here for a reason, and that reason is to help them, to do for them. I've been blessed because I can do this,” he said.
A retired graphic artist and sign maker, Lugo sees similarities between the border region and his native Puerto Rico. “The moment I came here in 1962,
I fell in love with the people and the sunny climate, so much like home.”
His first visit to Baja was an eye-opener. “Friendly, beautiful people who were very poor, but who were always smiling at you,” Lugo says.
He started his labor of love by joining a group helping a Baja California orphanage. Soon, he started his personal treks, bringing residents food,
water, clothing – especially warm blankets in winter – and toys for the children he loves like a father.
While distributing goods among the crowd assembled around his car on a recent day, Lugo was treated by an old family member by some residents, who
embraced him and smiled at him warmly.
Maribel Lopez Andrey, 25, remembers Lugo from when the neighborhood lacked paved streets and Lopez had to struggle to get here on rainy days.
“It was such a pain to get here, what with the tons of mud and the large puddles, you would think he would have given up on us, but no, here he still
is, bringing all these things that keep us going,” said Lopez, who has known Lugo since she was 6.
Lopez said Lugo is one of the few bright spots in her neighborhood.
“His visits are always so welcomed in this God-forsaken place. Even if he brought us nothing, his smiling face would be welcomed; he is such a lovely
man. He loves us. He is a true friend,” Lopez said.
Lugo remembers the time his van – he has wrecked several vehicles down here because of the poor roads – got stuck in the mire and he couldn't get it
out. The neighborhood's children pulled together to free the vehicle.
Although he uses part of his retirement funds to buy some of the provisions that he distributes here, Lugo depends on donations from neighbors and
others who know of his charitable work.
“I think he's done a good job down there,” says Georgia Campbell, who helps the needy in the South Bay and provides Lugo with provisions for Baja's
poor. “I help him because the people down there need help, too, and I trust him to take everything I give him down there. He's a good man.”
Lugo immigrated to the United States with his family a half century ago. They made their home in Chicago, and Lugo earned a living making commercial
signs. “Everything there was fine, except one thing – the cold,” he said.
He gave San Diego a try.
“I fell in love with it immediately,” Lugo said.
He later got married and had five children. His youngest son, Augie, 14, plays football at Helix High School. A daughter, Genesis, 16, plays
basketball at Sweetwater High.
Both are planning to go to college.
Lugo says the recent violence in Baja California will not keep him from helping those in need. “I have immense faith, so strong that when I leave my
house to go down there I thank God for giving me the strength to carry out my work,” Lugo said.
“As long as I have life, I'll keep helping my brothers and sisters from Mexico and anyone who needs me. That's my mission in life, and I will fulfill
it to the end.”
DETAILS
Helping the poor
Who: Agustin Lugo
What: Donations to help the needy in Baja California
Information: (619) 477-0214; (619) 274-7407
Fernando Romero is a freelance writer in San Diego.
Link to article:
http://utsouth.signonsandiego.com/?q=node/2284
baja Steve - 12-20-2008 at 05:09 AM
MexicoTed
Thanks for the post. As I travel around Baja Sur I come across many people and groups helping the people of Baja Sur both in the towns and in the
harder to get to places. It was good of you to post this good news and would be wonderful if more Nomads would post the good news they are doing or
good news they come across.