| 鈥淭he biggest problems that migrant workers face is the lack of access to information. For example, knowing where one is, where to go in case of an emergency, where to buy food, where to access services,鈥 says Richard S谩nchez, Recruiter for the Kentucky Migrant Education Program.
鈥淣ow imgaine having the time to think about obtaining another career. That is what our job is, to provide workers with the information to know that help exists,鈥 replies S谩nchez.
The Kentucky Migrant Education Program is funded through federal funds designed to provide services and resources to migrant families.
The program focuses primarily on the educational needs of migrant families and the barriers they face in obtaining a successful educational achievement.
Even though it is late in the cutting and hanging during the tobacco season, we were able to find a group of migrant workers in Georgetown cutting tobacco. The temperature during the day isn鈥檛 hot, but the humidity and the open air make the heat feel intense.
Armed with information and forms, S谩nchez talks with a few workers with some luck. To qualify, the migrant workers need to have moved to this country, from another state or county in search of agricultural work during the previous
three years. Persons that work with horses do not qualify for this program.
The group was diverse. Some previously worked on horse farms, another one was a mechanic while others that were more experienced in this hard work, set the pace. The majority were from Lexington and several qualified for the program.
Mayra鈥, a young woman, mother of two that was interviewed by S谩nchez revealed that in her case, she is knowledgeable about the city services and the city dynamics. Her son suffers from an medical condition that makes him allergic to dirt and some outdoor germs that can make it into the home.
鈥淚t鈥檚 hard [to work in this] really complicated. Because of my son鈥檚 illness, my clothes needs to be disinfected and cleaned. And with this type of work, in the field everytime I arrive to pick him up or tend to him, I must be completely clean. The clothes has to be washed at least twice before it can be worn. I also have to cook for the family and do all the housework of a normal mother,鈥 she says.
Tobacco workers have normal lives. For Mayra, the cost of daycare and the cost of life make it necessary to work hard all year. In the case of migrante seasonal workers, they have it also very dificult due to continuous change of residence.
Kentucky is the second largest producer of tobacco in the country, producing 205,850,000 pounds in 2008 with a value of more than $382.59 million dollars. The migrant labor force is a fundamental component for this aspect of the state鈥檚 economy.
The Kentucky Migrant Education Program works to ensure that the migrant workrs can improve its educational achivement and as result diversify its contribution to the Bluegrass. Every day, Richard S谩nchez tries to do his part to reach this goal.
For more information, you can contact Richard S谩nchez at (859) 381-4812 or at (859) 381-4130
Vol.12 #1
, | 
