Red Ribbon
The Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Story
Enrique “Kiki” Camarena never asked to be a hero. All he ever wanted was a chance to make a difference and help others. Growing up poor in Mexico, he must have wondered if he would get that chance.
When he was 9 years old, his family moved to the US. Kiki worked with his family in the field. As he picked fruit, he watched other kids head for school and often wondered what it would be like to sit on the bus or in a real classroom.
Kiki finally got the chance to go to school and became a good student. In high school, he played on the football and basketball team. He worked on the yearbook and was voted Best All Around Senior.
When Kiki graduated from high school, worked his way through college and earned a degree in criminal justice.
Kiki was a marine, a fireman, and finally a policeman! And when he saw many of his friends get involved in drugs, he joined the Drug Enforcement Administration, which works to keep drugs from coming into this country.
Kiki knew something had to be done to stop drugs and help his friends. His mother knew his work could be dangerous, and she tried to talk him out of it. “No,” he told her, “even if I’m only one person, I can make a difference.”
His mother was right. Kiki’s work was often dangerous, and lonely. Old friends turned against him. But Kiki kept on with the fight against drugs.
He was such a good agent that he was sent to work undercover in Mexico. For weeks, Kiki lived among the drug lords to gather information and evidence. Just when his work was almost done, they found out who he really was. They kidnapped, tortured, and killed him. After a month, his body was discovered and returned home to his family.
Kiki gave his life in the fight against drugs. He gave his life trying to help others. To honor him, his family and friends wore red ribbons. As his story spread across the country, others began to wear ribbons, too. Now, every year millions of Americans celebrate Red Ribbon Week (October 23rd-31st) to remember Kiki and to take a stand - just as he did - against illegal drugs.
Kiki set an example for all of us. He showed us how one person can change things. And he became a hero. All he wanted to do was make a difference. We hope somewhere, somehow, he can see what a difference he’s still making today.
The “The Red Ribbon”, A Story of Hope” Storybook is dedicated to Kiki. It’s about people who learned that they can solve problems when they work together, and that one by one they can make a difference. Kiki would have liked that.
For more information on the storybook or "Kiki" Posters, access the "Red Ribbon Resource Catalog" pdf or visit “The Shop” in the “The Red Ribbon Store” section of this web site.
For more information on Kiki, visit The Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena Educational Foundation.
Red Ribbon Clearance Sale!
For a head start on getting Red Ribbon Works Resources for next year, check out the Red Ribbon Clearance Sale by accessing the search engine at the bottom of the page! Just click to view “All”!
School Resources
Red Ribbon Breakfast 2009
Red Ribbon Breakfast 2009 Notebook
Red Ribbon Works Activity Sheets
Red Ribbon Works Resource Catalog
Links
- John Lasne
- Enrique “Kiki” S. Camarena Education Foundation
- Enrique Camarena Postal Stamp
- Red Ribbon Week Song to the tune of “So Happy Together” on YouTube.
The Red Ribbon, A Story of Hope
Not long ago in a nearby land, a king looked out over his kingdom. From the castle tower, he could see tall trees in the forests, beautiful gardens and farmlands, the crystal blue river and the people who lived and worked in the village below. One would think, with all of this beauty, the king would be happy, but he wasn’t. In fact, he was sad. All he could see was a terrible sadness.
The villagers were afraid and this worried the king so much that his smile turned into a frown. He knew if he didn’t do something, he and his kingdom might never be happy again.
The magic of a well-crafted story transports us to places of wonderment and evokes ideas that change lives. This is the power of “The Red Ribbon”, a story of nurture and hope, a tale of how collective abilities can better the world.
Desperate to end the sadness destroying his kingdom, the king calls the smartest, most power people in all the land to his castle but neither the bravest of knights nor the most powerful of sorcerers can conquer the sadness. Only a simple weaver could - if no one was left out.
Red Ribbon Works, a program of Greenville Family Partnership, is the original supplier of “The Red Ribbon, A Story of Hope” Storybook. If you would like to order a copy, call 467-4099 or visit The Shop.