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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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Aug 18, 2026

SSF Shelter Report

Update on Keisha, the little girl at the hospital in Hermosillo: her mother reports that she will not need further surgery but is in a lot of pain. 

Karla Betancourt will keep us posted on whether any more financial help is needed, but for now her parents are able to concentrate on caring for her instead of worrying about where the money will come from, thanks to everyone’s generosity ❤️.

Jill Meierl and I drove down to Casa Del Migrante this morning. It was already hot when we left Ajo, with the promise (threat?) of 106° in today’s forecast. At the border we hardly had to slow down before being waved through - was it our matching Samaritanos Sin Fronteras t-shirts?

There are seven guests today at CDM - one man was dropped off Sunday when a taxi driver saw him stumbling in town due to the excessive heat, picked him up, and brought him to the shelter. We also checked on E, whose knee is no longer causing him problems. After the guests unloaded the ice chest and water, Rochi was ready to have lunch and go shopping. 

Rochi says he’s feeling all right but very lazy, which I think means the chemo is making him feel tired - though it could be the relentless heat. He wanted to eat at Mr. Pancho’s Seafood. At lunch he showed us how much his hands have healed, though he’s not sure if his fingerprints have grown back yet. His hands and feet hurt much less these days, and he was able to open the cracker packets that came with his shrimp cocktail without help. He told us the man with epilepsy, G, is not taking his pills correctly- he tosses them all down at once instead of spreading them throughout the day😳.

 After picking up some blood pressure medication for M at San Luis pharmacy, we drove to Bodega Aurrera grocery store. Our friend was waiting in the parking lot for us as usual. He cleaned Jill’s car while we shopped. 

In the store, the pharmacist, Berenice, who has warmed up considerably since I began torturing her with my Spanish, invited us to the town square this Sunday for a sing along!

And when we were ready to check out, the cashier who likes to practice his English whistled for us to come over to his checkout lane. Everyone we have met in Sonoyta, from random people on the street to army guys carrying semiautomatic weapons is so warm and friendly. 

Angel Chevrestt had received a message from the Venezuelan family we helped with food and hygiene items several weeks ago; they were hoping for a little help today, so after we shopped for CDM and helped put away the groceries, we went back to the store with Rochi to meet them and purchase some food. Back again at CDM, we saw G, and I asked about his pills. “Don’t worry!” he said.

And don’t let the bastards grind you down!

- Carol

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8/11/26

SSF Shelter Report

First, an update on Keisha, the little burn victim: she had surgery yesterday morning and is doing well. Karla Betancourt sent a message this morning: “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated for Keisha! It is crucial for her recovery. Just a few days ago, her mom didn't know how she would manage to buy her creams and medications, but now she has that peace of mind! Thank you so much for making all this possible; God bless you all—you have a beautiful heart.”  Thank you all for your outpouring of support ❤️

Last week and again last night, Sonoyta experienced strong monsoon rains and winds. The electric company came out and installed a new meter last week, and last night late the governmental organization that provides electricity (I was a bit unclear on this) came out to reconnect the neighborhood after strong winds knocked the power out again in the neighborhood. This morning blankets hung on the fence, drying out after driving rains forced water into the dorms. At least the roof doesn’t leak. 

Jill Meierl, Doug Schnare, and I brought lots of donations on our visit this morning - we had cooling baseball caps, a can of coffee, flea/tick treatment for the dogs, ibuprofen for the medicine cabinet, new tennis shoes for the manager, and canned goods. At the border we were waved through after a quick inspection of the cooler.

Boy, were the dogs muddy this morning! We pulled up to Casa del Migrante and just looked out the car windows for a minute, knowing we were in for a messy doggy greeting. By the time the guests came out to unload the car, most of the dogs had thankfully run up the hill, and we followed the guests into the shelter without a mud bath. 

There are 8 guests this week. One gentleman has returned after over half a year’s absence. He says he has a motorcycle and is with the CIA doing recon! As long as a guest is willing and able to follow shelter rules he or she can find respite at CDM, no matter the delusion or physical difficulty. 

We took Rochi to a new restaurant called El Capitan that serves sushi and seafood. The prices were very reasonable, the place was bright and clean, and the food was good. Rochi showed us his hands, which look much much better. They are no longer peeling and are not hurting. This week he is all for trying a round of intravenous chemo in September. This past weekend he was in a lot of pain and had to visit the emergency room, but today he says he feels much better due to the medication that was prescribed. He plans to take new pup Esperanza to the vet clinic this afternoon for her shots, so his energy level is good. 

We grocery shopped, fed two dogs in the parking lot, practiced our Spanish with the cheerful checkout clerk, then headed back to CDM to unload this week’s groceries. Tonight the guests will be having popcorn while they watch the rain, and this weekend they’ll have pork chops instead of chicken for their weekend meal. It’s not a great life, but they’re making the best of what they have, and they have the grace to look out for others in worse straits. 

Hug someone and don’t let the bastards grind you down. November is coming!🤞🏻

Carol

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8/5/26

Hi Everyone,

On Tuesday after we left Sonoyta, there was an accident. The younger sister of the teen we bought hair products for was severely burned across her upper back when scalding soup from the microwave spilled. She is 7 years old. She was taken by ambulance to Puerto Peñasco, and from there to the hospital in Hermosillo.  Her parents are with her; her siblings are staying with one of the other families in Sonoyta that I mentioned in the shelter report. Karla Betancourt has a sister in Hermosillo who has secured a place for the parents to stay. The little girl will need an operation and will likely be in the hospital for a month. The family is in need of diapers (the child is unable to get out of bed), prescription burn lotion, oral vitamin C, and help with expenses. I’ve reached out to Karla; she is accepting financial donations which she transmits to her sister, who then is able to help the family. The family is from Ecuador. If you can help with a small donation, SSF will send it to Karla and it will be sent immediately to help the parents with their little girl’s care. As always, we appreciate all your help and support in these difficult times. 

Warmly,

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) 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