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Want more details about what we do? Scroll below to find stories and the latest updates about how our work is helping make an impact. We invite you to learn more about our efforts and help spread the word about our important cause.

 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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For October:

Approximately 310 meals plus breakfast treats with coffee provided

9 dogs at CDM fed
Dental care provided for one guest

Garden area created with recycled materials 

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For November:

Approximately 300 meals provided plus breakfast treats and coffee

9 CDM dogs fed

Medicines and medical care provided 

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12/16/25

SSF Shelter Report

Due to car issues, other commitments, and a persistent kidney stone, no one was able to cross the border today to visit Casa Del Migrante in Sonoyta, Sonora, Mexico. But, thanks to the miracle of modern technology and Western Union, we were able to send money to CDM so the cook could shop for groceries.

In photos sent by CDM guests, you can see the little Christmas tree is up, just lacking lights which we will bring on our next visit. It’s up on a stand to foil Azul’s (dog with one blue eye) attempts to play with it. The tree in Sonoyta’s plaza behind Lupita’s Taqueria is completely wrapped in greenery and lights and must be an amazing sight lit up at night. 

People have been so generous: on Christmas Eve, all the guests at CDM will receive a new jacket, long-sleeved button-down shirt, long-sleeved t-shirt, pants, undies, shoes (except the one guy with the yucky toe who didn’t want new shoes), socks, gloves, and a knit cap. There will be tamales, pozole, salad, Christmas cookies, soda, and coffee for 25 guests, and a raffle with prizes for everyone. We’ll try to post plenty of photos of the fiesta😊🎄. Thank you to all of you who contributed ❤️ and to all of you who read these long reports each week and hold each other in solidarity. 

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

- Carol

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12/9/25

SSF Shelter Report

Sonoyta is getting ready for Christmas! There’s  Christmas music coming from loudspeakers outside of stores, artificial trees for sale, a whole store devoted to Santa outfits for children, and the plaza behind Lupita’s Taqueria is being strung with lights, ornaments, and a gigantic tree frame wrapped in green something and lights. 

Doug Schnare and I brought boxes of canned goods from Muffet Rowe across the border this morning. We also had requested clothes, shoes, and hygiene products for a woman named Elizabeth who is hoping to gain asylum in the U.S. We hope that she can at least get to Sister Lika’s Casa de la Misericordia in Nogales, but meanwhile she is staying at Joaquin’s and Maura’s home. She’s from Cuernavaca but had to leave because of death threats due to her sexual orientation. We met her today when we stopped at Joaquin’s. The outlook for asylum doesn’t look good for anyone right now, but at least she is away from the violence that caused her to flee her home. 

At Casa Del Migrante, there are currently 8 guests - and 9 dogs! Poor Niña (blue-eyed spotted dog) was bitten last week and has been bullied by her sisters. The cook was able to get the vet to come see her and treat her right there at the shelter. She has a little safe spot set up she can get into when the others won’t leave her alone, but we are trying to find another home for her. So far she has 62 likes on the local Ajo Facebook page, but no takers. 

After we took the cook to lunch and to the pharmacy for some medication, he urged us to see the decorations at the plaza. Trucks with cranes and people on ladders were busy making the plaza festive. There are also raised planting beds full of flowers and bees. The cook found some wrapped candies there, and as we drove to Supermercado Fer Vaz for cabbages, he called to a small boy on the street and gave the candy to him. 

When we returned from grocery shopping, we met the new guest. He is the only one on our Christmas list who did not want a new pair of shoes. When we asked why, he pointed to his right big toe. He was wearing huaraches, and we could see a big cut. He said he didn’t need a doctor, just water to keep it clean. I can’t unsee it though😳. 

W wants to leave CDM and go to Mexico City where he used to live and work. The cook says W will no longer sleep inside the dormitory but sleeps outside under the ramada in the cold. He is really struggling with something. The manager is going to look into the cost of a bus ticket. We worry about how W would fare in Mexico City, but what can you do? We hope he will stay till after Christmas so he’ll have some warm new clothes to take with him. 

The manager thinks it will be the new year before he can get his paperwork and travel to El Salvador to visit his family. Meanwhile, he is setting money aside little by little for the trip, whenever it happens. 

Thank you to all of you who have sent items from the Amazon Wishlist and donations. You are making a difference in people’s lives every day, providing a safe place for people with no home. 

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

    ⁃    Carol

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Note: as the year draws to a close, SSF funds are not enough to provide groceries and keep the lights on at Casa Del Migrante. If you are able, please consider a year-end 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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