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 Note: asylum seekers and other migrants encountered at the shelters are referred to by an initial or nickname to protect their privacy.

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For September:

Approximately 590 meals provided

2 ongoing medical issues addressed

9 dogs at CDM fed; 4 dogs spayed

New toilet tank installed

Celebratory meal provided for Mexican Independence Day

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10/14/25

SSF Shelter Report 

Susanna Dewey and I drove down to Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico this morning. It was chilly enough for a long-sleeved shirt (crazy when I was just whining about the heat)!  

We crossed the border easily and arrived at Casa Del Migrante migrant shelter with ice, bottled water, and some otc medicines. There are a couple more guests at CDM today. One man, cooking over the open fire, offered us a taco. Meanwhile, 2 guys arrived carrying a veritable tree for the wood fire. The dogs milled about, hoping the taco offer included them 🐕.

M showed us three knots on his arm, the result of some kind of fly bite, he said. They were itchy, so we promised to get him some cream for the itch. Then W came out of the dormitory carrying his new shoes. They are rubbing one of his toes. He went and got his old shoes, which he had carefully repaired with glue. None of us could understand whether he wanted another pair of shoes or was happy with his old ones, but while we were trying to decide, he asked if we could get him a bus ticket to Mexico City where he once worked. He has decided not to immigrate to the U.S., but not to return to his home in Honduras. The cook is going to check on the cost of a ticket this week. 

The guests have been busy creating an area for a flower garden in the compound. They used some of the leftover fencing and posts to mark out an area but needed a sack of concrete to set the posts, so after we took the cook to lunch at Yesi’s (the Christmas tree there is now decorated for autumn with pumpkins and fall flowers) we visited Grupo Nava Hardware. School children were just getting out for lunch, and a car pulled up while we were asking about concrete. Several children and their dog hopped out of the car and came in the store to eat snacks and help mom behind the counter. We got our concrete, stopped at a pharmacy for anti-itch cream, then grocery shopped at Bodega Aurrera. 

Back at CDM, the new guy, A, and Gallo immediately got to work breaking up the soil in the new garden area. We talked about soil amendments, but nobody wants more flies at Casa. Susanna raises earthworms, so she may bring castings (worm poop) next week to top dress whatever they plant. They are definitely excited for Juanita’s return in December! 

Hug someone and don’t let the bastards grind you down. 

    ⁃    Carol

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10/7/25

SSF Shelter Report 

Scarlett Coten, a photographer from the south of France, joined Tom Wingo and me on our weekly trip to Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico this morning. She wanted to take photos of the guests at Casa Del Migrante, and they agreed to participate in her project. 

We stopped at the border first and drove along Puerto Blanco Road, which follows the wall as its snakes its way westward. As she took photos of the gates, a border patrol agent pulled up to see what was going on. He was very friendly and told her she could take as many pictures as she wanted (gee!). He told us that a group of migrants had just been apprehended east of highway 85, so people are still attempting to cross in this area. Hopefully some are making it to safety.

We stopped at Joaquin’s with requested donations of cereal, cookies (for local children) and cooking oil, and Scarlett was able to take photos of two young boys from the neighborhood who posed with Emilio, Joaquin’s faithful dog that he’s had for years. 

After leaving Joaquin’s, we took the bumpy dirt back roads to Casa Del Migrante. We had new shoes for several guests who had asked for them last week, along with a cooler full of iced down bottles of water. Tom and the cook gave Scarlett a tour of CDM, and she was able to get some good photos while I talked with the manager about his mouth infection. It looks like he will only lose one more tooth, though it’s a front one, and the new, stronger antibiotic seems to be doing its job. He’s been battling this infection so long, it’s good that something is finally working. 

Of course we had to introduce Scarlett to Señor Pequeño the desert tortoise and to all the resident dogs (9!). The 4 pups were all successfully spayed last week, thanks to Karla Vásquez who arranged the appointment and to Joaquin who provided the transportation. 

Scarlett was interested in the shops that cater to desert travelers, and we stopped at two near Supermercado Fer Vaz. The lady behind the counter showed Scarlett camouflage sacks that are used to carry black water jugs (several stylish camo designs and fabrics), a well-crafted leather medallion with a photo of a saint and a prayer for travelers, and camouflage hoods. I was interested in the carpet slippers, because I’d never seen them in their new condition. 

We bought groceries at Fer Vaz and Bodega Aurrera, including a beautiful watermelon. While we were shopping, we bumped into one of CDM’s guests. He said he’s going back to Mexico City to find work; he’s given up on crossing the desert. He’s been at CDM off and on for several years. If he manages to go, it will be strange not to see his familiar face at the shelter, but we have had to say goodbye over the years to several people we thought had made CDM a sort of home. What a world this is, that a shelter would be someone’s best and safest option for a place to live. 

Hug someone today and don’t let the bastards grind you down. 

10/18/25 No Kings

- Carol

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Scarlett’s website is http://www.scarlettcoten.com

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Checks can be made out to 

Samaritanos Sin Fronteras 

c/o Doug Schnare, treasurer 

121 Rocalla Ave

Ajo, AZ 85321

Or we can accept Zelle (National Bank of Arizona) or PayPal on our website www.samsinfront.com) 

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Samaritanos Sin Fronteras Amazon wishlist:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/6SDJCN1N0XMX?ref_=wl_share

or if you’re in Ajo and have donations, contact one of the members of SSF who will be glad to deliver them. We all make a difference.

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