Valley of Sorrows: Rebuilding along the border, America Magazine

How can acupuncture help communities affected by war, violence and displacement?

Since 2006, the population the Valley of Juarez, a rural area outside Cd Juarez, Mexico, has dwindled by 90% due to drug trafficking and human rights abuses.  In response, local community workers have been offering Barefoot Clinics for survivors.

In a story published within America Magazine, “Valley of Sorrows: Rebuilding community along the Mexican Border,” the Barefoot Acupuncture Movement’s co-founder Ryan Bemis writes about the efforts of local churches.

An excerpt:

They knew nothing about oriental medicine, or ear therapy. But they knew and trusted Monsignor René. Monsignor Blanco brought in pastoral workers, mostly women, working with the poor in far fringe colonias of the diocese. Some of the first students were maquila (factory) workers. Many were now former maquila workers, after being laid off short of their pensioning age of 40. Most of them were not from Juárez but from the southern states of Chiapas, Veracruz and Guerrero. They originally came north for jobs and a future. Volunteer acupuncturists from Portland pitched in to make it possible to train these workers.”