Pepe Arciga

May 13, 1957

City of varied ills as Tijuana is mostly regarded to be, there's one aspect about the town which the majority of people, stateside, haven't heard too much about.

It concerns the number of orphanages there which give shelter to huge quantities of children lacking mamas, lacking papas. These are kids of many nationalities who got there because nobody wanted them.

Now and then a few private citizens of Los Angeles stage a motorcade or two in the direction of Tijuana carrying along bundles, not of dough, but of used clothing, groceries and a cake or two with icing untouched.

Upon their arrival, they don't stop at bistros for shots of the revelry which Avenida Independencia is noted for. Instead, they keep right on going, intent upon unloading their goods where they'll do the most good--the orphanages.

Over in nearby Whittier, a number of housewives--26 of them all told--representing various nationalities have banded together for the elemental and generous purpose of keeping Tijuana orphans better fed, better clothed.

The organization is called Club Caridad and is headed by clubwoman Senora Emilia Bustos, residing at 9342 Miller Grove. Every now and then the club organizes festivals and picnics to raise funds.

Next Saturday night at the VFW Hall in Rivera, 7706 Serapis Ave., Club Caridad will throw another money-raising fiesta. Whatever funds are raised will be sent directly to one of several orphanages of Tijuana.

Which reminds me. With so much money floating around in the entertainment and business circles of Tijuana it seems that someone should donate periodically a purse or two to the orphanages.

Racetrack and bullfight impresarios not excepted.

Comments

[Christina Bustos]

First of all I would like to thank who ever put this up. I have never seen anything written about my grandma before. I appreciate this information. As a little girl I remember my dad (Ricardo Bustos) telling stories about their trips to Tijuana. If I remember correctly they always had some food items, clothing as well as dolls (made by my grandma) to take down to the orphanages. Inside those dolls there was often money sewn inside to give those families a little something extra. I am proud to see my grandma mentioned in the article. I have always felt the connection between the two of us to be very strong even though I never had the opportunity to meet her. I know that my work as a teacher in phx is something that she could imagine doing as well. Again, thank you very much.

--Thanks so much for sharing!

--Larry