Carbonera is a small fishing village located on the Gulf of Mexico in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The main occupation and source of income in the village is fishing. The average daily income for a fisherman is approximately $10 per day. Since 2003, Builders Without Borders of Texas, Inc., (B.W.B.T.) has been leading mission teams to Carbonera to establish relationships with the people and to provide assistance. One of the major long-term projects is to improve the education of the youth. When first beginning work in Carbonera, the education system only went to the eighth grade. Once finished with the eighth grade, it was time for most of the “men” to become fisherman and most of the “women” to marry. In 2005, B.W.B.T. began construction of the first high school in Carbonera. To date, four buildings are complete. The school has been so well attended, that additional buildings are planned. In June of 2007, C.O.B.A.T. (Carbonera High School) saw its first graduating class. Thirty-two students graduated at that time. Many of these students would have liked to go on to college, but were not able due to financial reasons. On June 26, 2008, 15 students became the second graduating class of C.O.B.A.T. Thirteen of these students have expressed a desire to attend college. Builders has researched what is necessary for these students to be able to attend university in Mexico. The best situation found is that the students can attend U.A.T. in Ciudad de Victoria, which is approximately 150 miles from Carbonera. A Baptist church in Ciudad de Victoria has offered a home where these students can live while attending U.A.T. The cost for a student to attend is approximately $1,800 per year (or $150 per month.) This includes entrance exam fees, tuition, school ID photo, books, and housing. The students will be required to work to help support the cost of food and expenses at the home.

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