Dominican Filmmaker and journalist Marisol Gonzalez once worked on a story about children who crossed the border to be with their parents. As mother of a ten year-old boy the topic hit home and she decided to document the stories of the children left at the border of Tijuana and San Diego. It was then that Behind the Wall, her documentary about Tijuana ’s children was born, funded by her own personal savings.

During her first trip to Tijuana, she found young children who had crossed the border illegally with their parents, been caught and sent back. Left to fend for themselves children like Maria began using drugs as young as nine years old many turning to prostitution to support their habit. “These children are caught in a vicious cycle of drug use and some would do anything to get drugs even kill” says Marisol.

The children of Tijuana have become Marisol’s symbolic children through her documentary, and ironically despite their heart-breaking stories this project has also become a personal source of inspiration as she embarks in a search for funding to complete the project.

“They are the reason I keep going, I have a commitment to those children, to tell their stories to the world. At times when a source of funding falls through I think of them and know I must keep going” says Marisol who has received excellent initial reviews from HBO, where she is also a producer, and other media outlets.

Marisol recently was awarded by Siempre Mujer Magazine as Vocera de Cambio for having undertaken a great humanitarian feat within the Latino community. “The problem of the children at the border does not belong to Mexico alone. It is a problem of two countries and two governments” concludes Marisol. See a preview of her project at http://behindthewalldocu.com/page_trailer.html

Marisol talks to MCAE about her project:

What do you hope will be the impact of this documentary on the situation of children at the border?
I hope that my documentary will be an eye opening for both governments (US and Mexico ) and that they'll take action and help stop this situation. I also hope to break the vicious circle in which some children are by awareness and education.

How has this project changed you?
it has changed me a lot. Now, I am thankful everyday for what I have. it's changed my view of the world in all senses. Yes, there are bad situation in life but we can do something to change that.

What can the rest of us do to help those children or bring awareness to this problem?
Well, as I said we need to unite to help stop the circle.As producer I think the best way to make a big change is through awareness and the best way to bring awareness is with a strong image or example of what are talking about. That's why I am doing this. A camera is a great vehicle to bring light to the situation.

What are some organizations that are helping those children?
Well, soon, I will post some information on my website where people can contact directly some of the places I went. Unfortunately most of these places don't have websites.