The Cardonas: Push and Pull Factors in Colombia

Class Objective:

To illustrate, through a two act play, the various push and pull factors that lead many people to migrate. In this scenario, the migration is specifically from a rural to an urban environment. Your goal is to create a play that will illustrate the many reasons that people chose to move from one place to another.

Background:

Juan and Carmen Cardona moved to Bogotá a few years ago from the poor village of Gireto. Juan had worked with his family on his father’s farm there. But the farm was too small to support a large family, and the soil was not really very productive. The Cordonas had hoped to find something better in the city.

They still live in a hillside shack that they put together for “temporary” quarters when they arrived. Juan’s limited education has kept him from getting steady work in a city with so many unskilled workers. Carmen finds it hard to raise their six children in the barriada (shantytown). Regular sources of water and sanitation are lacking.

Juan’s brother Miguel is in Bogotá visiting the Cordonas. When he sees the squalor of their shanty, he suggests they return with him to the village. He knows someone with a truck who will be leaving Bogotá soon. Juan and Carmen have to decide whether to use the opportunity to move back to the old home.

Cast of Characters:

Juan Cardona - You are thirty years old and have lived in Bogotá for five years. Right now, you have no regular job. You have watched the construction of a new warehouse nearby and hope you can get a job there when it opens. But many other men may also expect to apply for jobs there.

You remember being just as poor when you lived in Gireto. In the village, however, you never really worried about food. Somehow, there was always enough for everyone to eat. And there were many relatives and close friends there to help whenever someone was sick or other problems came. But there was only a small elementary school, and it was a long walk in the mountains to get there. There was no nearby high school. The nearest doctor was very far away. Your nephew Miguelito died when no doctor could be found in time to help him.

Life in the city seems hard and uncertain. But there are possibilities, especially for the children.

Carmen Cardona - You are twenty-eight years old and have lived in Bogotá for five years. Raising six children in the hillside shantytown has been very difficult. Your husband has only been able to get temporary, unskilled jobs. You know that his lack of education prevents his ever getting a good permanent job.

You know that Juan, your husband, is tempted by his brother’s offer to get your family moved back to your home village of Gireto. But you do not think this would be a good idea. There was always poverty in Gireto. Basic food and friendly relatives were always available. However, there seemed to be no way to improve your lives in that limited village.

Your children are going to school now. Some of them will go to high school—something not available in Gireto. True, the older children may have to go to work before finishing school. Yet they will still have much more education and better opportunities than in the village. Your own life seems more interesting here. You have made friends with some neighborhood women. You enjoy hearing them tell about parts of Colombia that you have never seen.

You will try to persuade Juan to stay in Bogotá.

Miguel Cardona - You are Juan’s older brother. You are upset by the neighborhood where your brother lives. The poverty is not so disturbing, because you are used to poverty in your village. But people’s lives seem too depressing in Bogotá.

You are especially upset by all the crime you hear about in the city. Back in Gireto, no one ever has anything stolen, and doors have no locks on them. The idea that one of your own neighbors might steal from you seems a dreadful idea. That alone is a good reason to leave the city and move back to Gireto. You will tell your brother this. Time:

Present day Colombia.

GROUP ROLES:

Set Designer Your role is to design the set for your group’s play. Each play will consist of two acts, each with a different scene. How will your set design visually set the scene for your play? After you have briefly discussed the plan for your play, you will create a sketch of the scene in Act One and Act Two and provide an artist’s statement for each.

Narrator your role is to set the scene verbally. Each play will consist of two acts. What does the audience need to hear before the characters begin to act to understand the dialogue and purpose of the play? After you have briefly discussed the plan for your play, you will create narration that will be read to the audience before your characters begin to act. After your write your narration, provide an artist’s statement for each scene.

Character Development Your role is to create the dialogue (what each person will say in the play). Each play will consist of two acts with different scenes. How will your characters speak and act in the play? After you have briefly discussed the plan for your play with your group you will create the dialogue of your characters. After your write your dialogue, provide an artist’s statement for each scene.

GROUP RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. You will take 8 minutes to discuss the overall idea for your play. What will the setting be? What will be the main conflict in the dialogue?

2. You will take 15 minutes to begin creating your dialogue, narration, and set design.

3. Group check in – show your progress to your group, take suggestions, and make adjustments. 15 minutes.

4. Final Product complete, work on artists’ statements.