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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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9/22/26

SSF shelter report

The morning began with a trip to Dollar General. One of the mothers (families) had asked if we had an old, functioning laptop she could have to help her daughter with schoolwork. We did, and while I was clearing the old files off it, another mom asked if I could bring some dog food. I realized I couldn’t come empty-handed for the other two families, so I picked up some coloring books, markers, and little toys for all the kids. 

On our way out of Ajo, Susanna Dewey and I encountered the same road work Angel wrote about last week. After about a 20 minute wait, we headed south again. At the border, friendly agents briefly checked our cooler and cargo area, then waved us through. It was almost noon when we arrived at the families’ house on Avenida 4. 

Chairs were immediately brought out and set in the shade of the deep front porch, and the little ones came out to give us hugs. The families want to prepare a meal for us - for all the people who have visited and helped them. When Dora Rodriguez comes to Sonoyta next, we will plan a big fiesta😊. 

The men are desperate to find consistent work, perhaps in Puerto Peñasco: anything, they said - construction, cleaning, cooking - they would wash beach sand if it were a job! But they will need some connections to find work. Their plan is to travel for the jobs but live in Sonoyta where the children are settled in school. The wives have a plan to learn hair styling and manicures from Karla Betancourt, who told me she’s investigating supplies at a reasonable cost for them. They also all want to learn English. We had fun practicing ‘whatever’ (lo que sea)! They are trying their best to figure out a way to stay afloat. We talked about the dangers of crossing the desert and showed them the most recent death map from Humane Borders; we also talked about the political situation here in the US right now. 

By the time we arrived at Casa del Migrante, it was after 1 pm. We delivered ice and cold bottled water, greeted the men, and scooped up Rochi. After getting the propane tank filled, we went to lunch at Mr. Pancho’s, where we were finally able to see how Rochi is doing. He looks great.  He says he’s been eating too much and is trying to cut back a little. He starts his next course of chemo pills in a few days and is very glad the doctor said he doesn’t need the chemo via i.v. yet. 

After lunch (he ate his whole large shrimp cocktail), we stopped at Fer Vaz Supermercado and got some nice cilantro and cucumbers, then picked up medication for CDM guests at Farmacia Moderna. We got the bulk of the groceries at Bodega Aurrera. In the store we saw a pigeon earnestly walking down the aisles, bobbing his head and checking out the food on the shelves (he flew up in the rafters when I tried to take a picture). We checked out, fed some parking lot dogs, and brought the groceries back to CDM which the guests helped unload and put away. The CIA guy (he now says he’s FBI) is still there, as is the gentleman from Venezuela whose knee has finally healed. The manager told us he’s going to stop smoking in 3 weeks, so mark your calendars! If he’s able to accomplish that tough job it will be impressive. 

We’ve all got a tough job ahead of us in these next days and weeks. Early voting is advised. And, of course, hug someone and - don’t let the bastards grind you down!

Carol
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Samaritanos Sin Fronteras weekly report: Tuesday, 09/15/26

    ◦    Almost 35 minute delay total on 85S due to road work

    ◦    At the border, the interaction with a young soldier was pleasant and brief.  He asked - more out of curiosity it seemed - where I was headed and I responded, “to the supermarket and then lunch with a pal.”  He smiled and wished me a good day.

    ◦    At Casa del Migrante, I was welcomed by a pack of excited, tail-wagging, tongue-hanging, happy canine campers, as they waited impatiently behind the fence for me to open the gate.  And, without fail, once the gate was opened, they were off!

    ◦    Azul is as rambunctious as ever; she’s got a penchant for jumping up at you and sneaking in a quick face lick.

    ◦    The new puppy, Esperanza, is quite the cutie patootie; her light brownish eyes match the color of her coat. She ran over with tail wagging to welcome me.  Esperanza’s right ear is pointed up, while her left ear flops down.  R said the floppy left ear first appeared a few days ago, and thinks one of the dogs may have bit her causing it to droop.  I didn’t notice any bite marks.  Esperanza is still a super cutie patootie!

    ◦    Chiquita is looking happy and as adorable as ever.

    ◦    Currently there are 5 residents.  We all stood around and chatted briefly before R and I left for the weekly food run and errands.

    ◦    We made our way to an ATM to get cash for the electric bill.  On our way there we saw federal troops in military pickup trucks patrolling the streets - R said their presence was meant to encourage folks to have fun but behave.  The Mexican Independence Day celebrations were kicking off Tuesday night and the streets were being prepped for the outdoor festivities, which included live music and lots of dancing.  Young girls were seen in the supermarket wearing traditional dresses and ribbons in their hair.

    ◦    R had a 12:30 pm phone consultation with the oncologist and we felt it’d be best to sit in my car, where it’d be more quiet and private, to take the call.  We opted to have lunch at Stanza and placed our order with the waitress before the scheduled call since they normally take a long time to prep meals.  I parked my car in front of the restaurant and we called the oncologist.

    ◦    We spoke with the doc for about 20 minutes.  The results from R’s bloodwork panel were positive.  R reported to the doc that he has a hearty appetite and he’s generally feeling fine.  The doc said that for the present time he can continue with the chemo pills without having to go in for an IV chemo treatment.  A huge relief for R since his plan was to head to Mexicali this week for his first IV chemo treatment.  

    ◦    After hearing the great news from the doc, R was visibly relieved.  We went back inside the restaurant and R enjoyed his meal.

    ◦    Once done eating, we went food shopping.  Apparently there’s an egg shortage in Sonoyta.  There were only a few cartons of 18 left and the cashier told us we were lucky there were any at all.  R mentioned last week he had to wait until Thursday to buy any eggs.

    ◦    Back at CdM, the food was unloaded and put away by R, with the help of a few of his canine pals.

Things were peaceful at Casa del Migrante this week.

- Angel Chevrestt 

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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