In three years, Temma Martin has gone from not knowing anything about the Mexican culture or the plight of undocumented families to becoming an advocate for immigration reform and a regular at Latino art and political events. She helped publicize an April 9 immigration march in Salt Lake City that drew more than 40,000 people - the largest demonstration in Utah history - and later a rally for A Day Without an Immigrant.

"No está en mi sangre, pero está en mi corazón," Martin said of her passion for the Latino culture: "It's not in my blood, but it's in my heart."

Now, Martin's passion for changing immigration law and learning about the desert conditions people endure is leading her to the Arizona-Mexico border to help undocumented immigrants on their journey.

She leaves Friday for a 10-day trip to the border to volunteer with three human-rights advocacy groups that assist undocumented immigrants on both sides of the border.

Martin had never been involved in politics, but about a year ago she started working with Latino community groups to push for immigration reform. Martin was inspired by a book to embark on the trip that is costing her roughly $1,000. She read The Devil's Highway, written by Luis Alberto Urrea, which is about 26 men who attempted to cross the border through a region of the Arizona desert, and only 12 of them survived.

"I know there's a million ways of suffering in the world, but you can't read or see these experiences . . . and look the other way," said Martin, a 37-year-old public relations specialist.

She wasn't exposed to any Latino culture while growing up in a white, traditional Mormon neighborhood in a Salt Lake City. Her "addiction" to the Latino culture started on a trip to a beach resort in Mexico in February 2003, when she fell in love with salsa dancing and Spanish.

Since then, Martin has studied enough to receive a bachelor's degree in Spanish. She spent a week in a Mexican border town mixing cement for a new school playground. She volunteers as an English tutor.

On her border trip, she'll spend five days living with a Mexican family and visit a migrant shelter. She'll camp with a volunteer group in the desert, where they'll provide water, food and first aid to migrants as needed.

Martin said she knows she's going to have an "incredible" experience, but her main reason for going is to learn more about the border issue in hopes of educating other Utahns.

"I want to motivate other people to care for this cause - so we can change our laws," she said. "People shouldn't have to come through the desert. They should come on a plane or a bus."

On Monday, Martin and six volunteers made 75 health and 75 snack kits from $300 in donations. The health bags included a hand towel, bar soap, comb; the snack kit has a plastic spoon, can of Vienna sausages, peanut butter crackers and apple sauce.

Rod Hernandez, a 50-year-old real estate agent, has heard about all the immigration debates and marches, but he hasn't gotten involved because he hasn't made had the time. But, when he heard about Martin's trip, he wanted to help.

"It's not about politics, it's about survival," said Hernandez, who was born and raised in Idaho and moved to Utah 20 years ago. "It's about helping someone survive."

As he rolled up towels for the plastic bags on Monday, Hernandez thought about a lot of things: What if the tables were turned and he needed the help? He remembered his grandparents who came from Mexico as undocumented immigrants decades ago and his parents who spent endless hours picking strawberries and potatoes in fields from Texas to Washington. Maybe, Hernandez said, a child might need this health kit.

"I'll never know if this is going to get to the right person or not," he said, "But in my mind, I think it got there."

For Martin, there is are no direct Latino ties. No Latino relatives. No paycheck from working with Latino immigrants.

But, she said, the immigration issue drives her because of the stories she's heard from friends. She hopes her passion isn't questioned because she isn't Latina.

"The people I've met have made it personal for me," she said. "When fighting for an issue this big and important, I would hope people would appreciate the help - regardless of where it comes from."

jsanchez@sltrib.com

How you can help

Temma Martin is no longer accepting donations for her trip to the Arizona-Mexico border, but she encourages people to donate to the following groups

Border Links http://borderlinks.org

No More Deaths http://www.nomoredeaths.org

Humane Borders http://www.humaneborders.org