Working for Home
story by Elio C. Pajares Ruiz
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Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, waits to begin his day at the tobacco farm. His "camaradas" watch the news from Mexico. "Camaradas means brother," Gonzales said.
Javier Gonzales Delgado, left, prepares his dinner after a 12-hour Friday on the tobacco farm. Fernando Castro watches Gonzales cutting potatoes.
Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, shares the restroom with 19 "camaradas," who work 12-hour days.
From left, Andres Hernandez Trujillo, 36, and his son Horacio Hernandez and Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, leaving their barn early morning to start working at the Marty Feezer's farm.
(2008 Elio C. Pajares Ruiz / The Mountain Workshops)Javier Gonzales Delgado pressing tobacco at Marty Feezer's farm at Melber, Ky.
Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, works on Marty Feezor's farm in Melber. "I like Kentucky," Gonzales said.
Javier Gonzales Delgado of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, works on Marty Feezor's farm in Melber. "Every day I miss my son," Gonzales said. "I keep going just for him."
Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, calls his wife in Mexico during his lunch break on Marty Feezor's farm in Melber. "I am worried for my wife," Gonzales said. "Today my wife went to the hospital to see if she's pregnant."
Javier Gonzales Delgado, 31, of Lomo Bonita, Mexico, works on a tobacco farm in Melber from May to December. "When I am in Mexico, I work carrying water mellows," Gonzales said. "They pay us $14 per a full truck." Here in United States, he makes triple the amount he does in Mexico.
The twenty "camaradas" and farm owner Marty Feezor, center, after completing their 12-hour work day. The camaradas come to United States every May and leave the country in December. Left back, Horacio Hernandez, Francisco Castro, Fernando Rodarte,Agustin Marquez, Fracisco Haro, Carlos Lopez Gonzales, Mauricio Mejia, Karin Abud, Enrique Guerrero, Luis Estrada, Jose Ceja, Miguel Romero. Left front, Juan Ceja, Luis Romero, Hugo Zamarripa, Oscar Hernandez, Jesus Virgen, Marty Feezor, Andres Hernandez, Javier Gonzales and Gilberto Jimenez.