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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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2/3/26

SSF Shelter Report

Jan Heikes and Cecilia Montes rode along with me (Jan St. Peters) to Casa del Migrantes yesterday. Cecilia is fluent in Spanish and we were hoping she could figure out what was wrong with one of the resident’s toes but he wasn’t there. We delivered a sitz bath that Carol had bought for one of the residents, along with Epsom Salt. Our reports might sound a little mundane each week but there are always needs that require assistance.

We took R to Lupita’s for lunch and Cecelia ordered cow tongue, sticking her tongue out for emphasis. 

We paid the cable bill and went to a couple of pharmacies, trying to get R medicine for his swollen glands, fever and chills. We were eventually successful and also got medicine for M. 

Finally we headed to Aurrera Bodega to get groceries. They were sold out of tortillas! The guys use tortillas at every meal so that was a disappointment. Outside I met E who used to live at the shelter. His bicycle has a bald tire so I helped him with that. There were 3 hungry dogs, one a little puppy. So out came the dog food and water bowl. The usual fellow washed my truck with a rag and a spray bottle! As ordinary as the days are, I really enjoy going down. The dogs were all well and assaulted my two guests with jumping and tail wagging! 

• Jan

Thanks for some anonymous Amazon wishlist donations, to Megan L and Nancy E for lots of Amazon wishlist purchases, Gayle H for a generous donation, Dianne Gr for her donation, and one from Vanni P. 
 

Update: W has packed his suitcase and left Casa Del Migrante. He had hoped to return to Mexico City, but without an id card, he wasn’t able to obtain a bus ticket or board a bus. We wish him well on his journey, wherever it takes him, and hope for the best. 
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1/26/26

SSF Shelter Report

Holly Knight sent coffee and toothpaste via our Amazon wishlist, and Glen Kenoyer dropped off a bag of nice soaps, so Jan St Peters and I had the back seat full this morning when we headed to Sonoyta. Our favorite Mexican National Guardsman greeted us with, “Cerveza?” when we crossed into Mexico, glanced in the back (no cerveza😢) and waved us on our way. 

At Casa del Migrante of course we were greeted by happy dogs as well as guests. The cook showed us the part he had to buy yesterday for the propane tank, the manager showed us his eyelid which is healing well after last week’s minor surgery, M asked for a prescription refill and a belly band (preserving his manhood means he lifts things that are way too heavy and aggravates his hernia repair), W showed us the blankets he was drying on the line, and J (new guest) showed Jan his big toe, which is swollen to twice its normal size. He also had a prescription for us. 

Whew! after getting the propane tank refilled, we took the cook to lunch at La Stanza. While we waited for our meal, the cook and I slipped next door to the pharmacy and got one prescription and the belly band. The toe prescription was evidently for treatment, not medication. Since J has no identification, it will be harder for him to be seen at the clinic. I’m not sure what the solution is yet.

After lunch, we searched several pharmacies for Epsom salts, thinking at least J could soak his toe. Epsom salts are not a thing in Sonoyta, we found out, so when we shopped at Bodega Aurrera grocery store, the cook picked up several bags of regular salt. There had just been a run on tortillas, so we had to wait for the tortilla machine to catch up and make a new batch. They were so warm and fragrant when we picked them up! When we pushed our full buggies into the parking lot, two street dogs, a mama who had recently given birth and a young male, looked so hungry. Jan had a bag of dog food in her truck, a container, and water for an occasion just like this. Mama dog ate three bowls full and the male ate two. At least for today they had full bellies. And that’s a good way to end this week’s report.

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

Carol

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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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