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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. The 2 most recent shelter reports are included below:

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11/10/26

SSF Shelter Report

Casa Del Migrante: 6 guests with 3 arriving as we left

Families: 16 members (8 adults, 8 children)

Where to begin? Since last week we’ve received donations from our Amazon wishlist of dog food , ibuprofen, canned goods, and masonry/tile tools (many thanks to Stephen Brooks, Muffet Rowe, and Crystal Pacheco of Ajo), we scored more masonry tools at an estate sale plus 2 coolers, and at Ajo Mojo’s new store we got 3 corded drills, a great pair of shoes, and extension cords for the Christmas tree lights, so we had the back of the car full this morning. 

We also got word from the families that the children are sick. Between the change of weather and the germs school kids share, sniffles and sore throats are rampant. Karla Betancourt advised the parents to bring their children to the free clinic, and we added bags of cough drops to the pile. 

Crossing the border has become a little interesting: the U.S. CPB officers have decided to X-ray cars before they enter Mexico along with asking what we have in the car (“donations”) and whether we’re bringing anything back (“no [duh - thought, not spoken lol], they’re donations”) and how much money we have on hand (not “Do you have more than $10,000”, but “How much cash do you have on you?”). In contrast, the Mexican officers waved us right on through. 

We stopped first at the families’ house to drop off the tools and other donations. Three of the moms and two of the dads were waiting for us. The men were excited about our November 3rd election and wondered what that might mean for asylum opportunities. We did our best to explain that might not happen, at least, not quickly. Meanwhile, the women had gone in the kitchen and prepared an Ecuadorean meal for us! We sat down to a delicious lunch of mashed potatoes, rice, and sliced beef in an aromatic gravy. While we ate, one of the dads shared his National Merchant Marine School certificate and said he was qualified to work on international trawlers, and that he’d previously worked on a tuna trawler. All he needs now are Mexican legal documents….

After lunch the families tried to gift me a puppy😳, and then it was quickly time to head over to Casa del Migrante. When we arrived, Rochi was very preoccupied. His chemo pills, which he ordered over a week ago, had not arrived, and Mona, the oldest dog at CDM, had been turned on by the other dogs and bitten. We saw the vet while on our way to lunch and he agreed to stop by CDM this afternoon. Then, while we were at lunch, the waitress helped Rochi add the pharmacist’s number in Mexico City to his WhatsApp, and he was able to call and find out his pills will arrive tomorrow. He was so relieved. 

After grocery shopping at Bodega Aurrera, we saw 2 former CDM residents on the street, and 3 new guys with backpacks trudging along the road toward CDM. By the time we got the groceries unpacked and put away, the new guests had arrived. We did not have a chance to meet them; it was late and we were anxious to head home. 

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas again. As I get sizes, I’ll list items on our Amazon wishlist. We usually try to get each guest a new set of clothes from head to toe. We also provide money for a meal prepared by a local Sonoyta woman, and Jan St Peters holds a raffle with fun items so everyone gets something. This year I’ll add the families to the list; after the New Year, our temporary support for them will cease and we hope they’ll have enough skills and supplies to create some work for themselves (one of the dads showed me some nice knick knack shelves he wants to make for us to sell at the Ajo mercados, so if that happens, I’ll share photos.)

Happy Blue Wave to everyone and don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Carol 

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11/3/26

SSF Shelter Report

Casa Del Migrante: 6 guests

Families: 16 members (8 adults, 8 children)

Angel Chevrestt and I were stopped by US Customs on our way into Sonoyta this morning. An officer asked us if we had any knives or firearms or $10,000 in cash. After a good laugh, we pulled up to the Mexican National Guard officer. He glanced in the back of the car, said, “Gracias” when we told him what we were about, and waved us into the country. 

The mother of the child who was burned earlier this year had reached out to us this week for help getting a doctor recommended gel and silicone pads to help with scarring, as her little girl has developed some thickened scar tissue that is causing pain. We had to order the pads online but were able to pick up the burn gel at the pharmacy in Sonoyta this morning, so we brought that, some computer equipment for the father who repairs phones and computers (thank you, Steve and Marty Plevel), and some requested Christmas decorations. 

Angel asked about holiday customs in Ecuador and Venezuela and found out that decorated Christmas trees are definitely a tradition. One mom showed us a photo on her phone of a Christmas past with a Christmas tree filled with bright yellow sunflowers. She said on New Years families make or buy a paper maché doll, stuff it with fireworks, and dress it. They then pour gunpowder and gasoline on it and set it alight, and the fireworks explode in colorful craziness. She showed us one of the paper maché dolls on her phone. It was larger than life-size and looked an awful lot like Pennywise from Stephen King’s movie ‘It’ 😳 🤡!

We were also told about the increasing extortion that made it impossible to stay in Ecuador, despite having well-paying careers. Though police reports were filed, no action was taken, and, unfortunately, the reports didn’t name individual members of the family, making it harder to prove an asylum case. But she is hopeful for her son, who is currently in the US, and for her family that is still stuck in Mexico. 

Casa del Migrante was our next stop. We saw a new guest there, but it turned out he’s been at the shelter for a few months - he’s just always been at work the other Tuesdays we’ve visited. Angel talked a lot about the dangers of crossing and the current political climate in the U.S. We hope the information is not falling on deaf ears. 

With medicine requests in hand, we set out with Rochi. We stopped at the cable company first to pay the monthly bill, but their card machine wasn’t working and they could only accept pesos, so we decided to return later. After stopping at the money exchange place to get pesos, we picked up some medication at the pharmacy  and went to lunch. We stopped at a new (to us) restaurant which is usually closed on Tuesdays. If you love a good hamburger and you love murals, Hamburguesa Excelsior is an excellent place for lunch. It’s near Vasquez Liquors and has a cute french fry fellow painted on the outside of the bright blue building. Rochi, Angel, and I enjoyed looking all around the inside while waiting for our lunch, and we all ordered the same thing: a double bacon and jam burger with fries. Rochi and I got Mexican cokes in glass bottles because, as Rochi said, “with a burger you have a coke!” As we were getting into the car after lunch, Rochi called to a boy of about 11 walking down the sidewalk. We had brought some nice shirts donated by Laura Cuplin and Rochi thought they looked like just the right size for the boy. He happily accepted them to share with his friends. 

Rochi continues to do well on his chemo pills regimen, though his hands and feet are very tender. In mid November he has more bloodwork due and another phone consult with his oncologist, but he feels good, which is the most important thing. 

After lunch we grocery shopped at Bodega Aurrera, fed the dogs in the parking lot, and stopped back by the cable company. By now none of the systems at the cable company were working, so Rochi or M will have to pay the bill tomorrow. Back at CDM we helped put the groceries away and said our goodbyes. When we arrived at the border, there was a long line of cars backed up and only one lane open into the U.S. Angel had time to chat with a woman selling tortillas by the road. Her adorable son was named Samir, an unusual name in Mexico. She said she just wanted something different for him. We all want something different, something better, for our loved ones. Hug someone and don’t let the bastards grind you down. 

- Carol

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2/19/26

SSF Shelter Maintenance Report

Rick Weibel and Tom Wingo brought supplies and tools to Casa Del Migrante this morning for a work day. They replaced shower valves and a urinal valve, hung 2 smoke detectors (one in dorm #3 and one in the outer office area), wired a new light and switch over the cooking area, and set up a work station so the guests could build/replace the window screens in the dorms. 

More wiring remains to be done and more screen spline needs to be added, but today was a pretty good day.
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1/5/26

Hello Everyone! I hope all of you are well and enjoying time with loved ones. Here in Ajo, we are enjoying the quiet after the holidays and balancing news-viewing 😬 with trips out in the beautiful Sonoran Desert. 
 

2025 was a busy year for Samaritanos Sin Fronteras. Thanks to our supporters, SSF provided funds for ultrasounds, removal of a benign cyst in a CDM guest’s shoulder, dental extractions for 3 guests, dentures for 2 guests, treatment for amoebic dysentery, antibiotics for an extensive infection of the manager’s upper jaw and sinus, treatment for prostate issues, and over-the counter and prescription medications.

We were also able to purchase a new hot water heater and a new toilet for Casa Del Migrante, essential for health and comfort. 

With our weekly grocery runs, accompanied by CDM’s cook who made a list each week of needed items, we were able to buy food to supply approximately 5,840 meals, including special meal celebrations for Easter, Mexican Independence Day, and Christmas Eve. As part of the Christmas Eve celebration, due to generous donations, each guest received a complete set of new clothes in appropriate sizes: a warm jacket, pants, long-sleeved t-shirt, button-down long-sleeved shirt, underwear, socks, shoes, warm gloves, and a knitted hat, plus there was a fun raffle where each guest won a prize of his choice from food items and extra clothing. 

Animals: as of December, there are 9 dogs at CDM and 1 desert tortoise. SSF, vía Karla Vásquez and Clinica Esperanza, has had 8 of the 9 dogs spayed or neutered. The dogs have also had their shots, and SSF provides their food. If you’re looking for a good dog…..

SSF helped the shelter at the beginning of the year with an invasion of ticks and at mid-year with an invasion of bedbugs, providing chemicals and applicators to rid the shelter of creepy-crawlies. We also provided fly strips and mouse traps for ongoing pest control.

When a former CDM guest needed to return to his home country of Honduras to care for his ailing brother, SSF was able to help him with travel funds, and when a former resident of Casa San Pedro migrant shelter (now closed) whose family entered the US legally seeking asylum had a family member deported and subsequently murdered, SSF supporters raised funds to transport the body from Guadalajara to Guerrero, his mother’s home town, bringing a sad closure to an awful and unnecessary tragedy. 

We are continually amazed at the resilience and kindness of those we encounter at Casa Del Migrante, and at the generosity and support of good people all over the world. You are truly making a difference in the lives of folks who, for whatever reason, can’t reach home. People eat healthy food because of you, they have a comfortable place to stay, clean clothing, medical and dental care, and canine companions (and a tortoise!) to give them affection while they are deciding what to do next. Life is better for guests at Casa Del Migrante because of your support. Thank you.

Attached is our revenue statement for 2025.

Happy New Year, everyone, and don’t let the bastards grind you down. Together we can affect change❤️

- Carol​

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Note: If you are able, please consider a donation either via our website donate button, via Zelle [Samaritanos Sin Fronteras (413)695-9571], or as a check made out to Samaritanos Sin Fronteras/121 Rocalla Ave/Ajo, AZ 85321. Thank you for your continued support.

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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)

our business tag is

samaritanossinfronteras

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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We have the 2026 Candid Gold Seal of Approval:

https://app.candid.org/profile/15337525/samaritanos-sin-fronteras/?pkId=f10ec1df-6f76-48ce-8507-b32c69ef7ce7&isActive=true