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A story
of migration

MCC and the Low
German Mennonites

Amish/Low German
Mennonite partnership

Why does MCC work with Low German Mennonites?

MCC operates drop-in centers in Casas Grandes and Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua. When Mennonites from the colonies come into town, they use the centers as a place to rest, socialize, use library materials and get help with financial questions. Here, MCC worker Trudy Friesen, right, and Mrs. John Friesen examine books in the center's library. Photo: Jack Leonard

Drought brings request for help
MCC's involvement with Low German Mennonites began with a request from the Mexican colonies in the early 1950s. Drought, combined with a growing population, was making life difficult and local church leaders were looking for help.

The colonies in Mexico had grown from 20 villages and 8,000 people in 1924, to 50 villages and over 25,000 people by 1950. They contacted MCC's offices in Akron, Pennsylvania, described their needs, and the organization responded. MCC provided families with flour, sugar and salt as well as access to credit for the purchase of seed, fuel and fertilizer. That program was discontinued when the drought broke in 1954.

Building Community
Abe Peters, co-director of the Low German Program for MCC Canada, says they are still working to help Low German Mennonites, but in different ways. He says today's projects include agricultural development (to improve genetic beef and diary stock), prison visitations and the publication of newsprint materials (The Mennonitische Post). MCC is also working to provide health classes for women and Spanish language courses.

"We still work with economics but we go further than that," says Peters. "We're working with them to increase literacy and to strengthen their understanding of community. We often find ourselves resolving conflict between those who are more traditional and those who want to be more progressive."

Despite the challenges, Peters says Low German Mennonites are moving ahead. He points to a recent project, designed to improve the genetic stock of existing cattle herds through the use of artificial insemination.

"With some co-ordination and a bit of funding, they were able to get a program started.
Now they can see the results and they're on their own. The project pays for itself."

Today, MCC works alongside Low German Mennonites in Mexico, Bolivia, Texas, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.

When it comes to describing his work, Peters looks to MCC's development philosophies as they relate to the Low German Mennonites.

"We aren't here to impose change. We are here to encourage communication. In doing so, we see people addressing their own needs with local, home-made solutions."

Citizenship issues
In Canada, MCC also helps immigrants with the application process of becoming Canadian.

"Citizenship provides access to government services such as health and education. We are working with one man who has been here (in Canada) for over 25 years. He was born in Mexico but he needs our help in getting a birth certificate so that he can retire," says Peters.