Bulletin Issue 4: Bridging the Border A U.S.-Mexico collaboration bringing factual news and critical resources for families on the border. Click here to view our past bulletins and learn more about our work!

Updates from Ana Paola, the 8 year old COVID-Conquering Hero at the Border

If you read the last bulletin, you may recall the story of Ana Paola-- a resilient eight-year-old girl, who, along with the rest of her family, contracted COVID-19 back in December. This wasn’t the only challenge she faced in 2020. As someone on the autism spectrum, she experiences change and uncertainty more intensely. 2020 was filled with changes for Ana Paola: virtual school, her father’s loss of a job, not being able to see her friends in person, contracting COVID-19! In spite of that, Ana Paola had a huge accomplishment in 2020. She made the honor roll at her school! Some other big things have been unfolding in the family’s lives since we’d last spoken. Ana Paola's parents have returned to work, her grandmother moved into the house, and in a few months there will be a new addition to the family! To hear the full scoop, read the full article in the blog! Ana Paola is able to continue learning thanks to ATIC, the NGO in Nogales that has continued online education and training for autistic children and their families. Funds from Community Foundation for Southern Arizona (CFSA) in Tucson and Spectrum Brand in Nogales have allowed the students to reach similar achievements as Ana Paola. Kerry McCulloch MPH Student and FESAC Intern

The Pandemic at the Border series highlights the impacts of Covid-19 at the border. Our reporter Kerry McCulloch–MPH student and FESAC volunteer– provides updated information and personal stories about the pandemic at the border. To read the initial article or to see this week’s full-length article about Ana Paola and her family, visit our blog page on the website here.

Deijuven's Music Students on Learning During the Pandemic

Last month we interviewed students from Deijuven’s music program. Deijuven is a Nogales community center providing educational opportunities to children at the border. The five students we talked to were either in the violin or choir class. Luna, 11 years old, says her favorite part of Deijuven’s music course is playing the violin. For Kevin, 21 years old, “the best part of Deijuven is the teacher’s dedication to their students. We really appreciate it because they have so much patience in teaching us, from learning how to read music to new concepts.” Luna and Kevin are pictured in the image on the left, as they play Frere Jacque together. Carolina, 10 years old, enjoys learning new songs in class and looks forward to attending school in-person in the future. The Sonoran government has decided to keep schools closed until the next academic year and students will not be able to return before then. Until then, Mexico’s educational program will continue online in place of in-person instruction.  The student’s love of learning is encouraging, but also frustrating when one considers the state of Mexico’s educational system. When asked what he would like to do once the virus is under control, Mario, 12 years old, told us “It’s hard to know exactly what I’d want to do after, but I’d like to keep learning as much as I can.” Similarly, Juliette, 13 years old, would like to continue learning during and after the pandemic. After COVID-19, Luna wants to “be free, run a lot, and kiss the earth.” May we take the wise words of Deijuven’s students to heart and continue to support their learning. If you would like to support this program, our Teachers and Tablets campaign is still live until the end of February. Click here and you will be redirected to our GoFundMe page. Nancy Lopez-Alvarez with support from Kerry McCulloch 

In this issue we celebrate the lives of three individuals who dedicated their life and work to immigrant rights and the larger border community.

Celebrating the Life of Juan Francisco "Paco" Loureiro

Juan Francisco “Paco” Loureiro, founder of the Juan Bosco Shelter in Nogales, Sonora, died at age 76 in December from complications of COVID-19. For the last 38 years, Paco and his wife, Gilda, have been a warm welcome for migrants seeking shelter on their journey north to the United States or for those recently deported from the U.S. The photo to our left depicts Alma Cota de Yanez, Gilda Loureiro, Robert Phillips, and Paco Loureiro after working together on a campaign for the Juan Bosco Shelter. Leopoldo Hernandez, a migrant deported from San Diego nine years ago found his way to the Juan Bosco Shelter, and has been working there ever since. For him, Paco’s death the week before Christmas was especially challenging. Hernandez recalls that every year Paco would organize holiday dinners and eat with the migrants, "He was very attentive that everyone would eat," he said. "He would call the radio and tell the hosts that we had dinner for anyone here that didn't have anywhere to spend Christmas and New Year. He would tell them to come here, that they'd always find a meal." Paco and Gilda have served over one million migrants. Gilda will continue to carry on his legacy. The pandemic has made migrants more dependent on the shelter than ever before. Gilda says they continue needing food donations, cleaning supplies, face masks, sanitizer and other items to keep staff and migrants safe. To donate to the Juan Bosco Shelter directly, please do so through FESAC’s U.S. partner nonprofit, the Border Community Alliance. From there, click “Donate Here!” and select “San Juan Bosco Shelter” under the “Mexico Pass Thru” dropdown menu. Click here to read the full news article via the Arizona Republic. Kerry McCulloch FESAC reporter and intern

Celebrating the Life of Isaac Dabdoub Chávez

Isaac Dabdoub Chávez, age 80, passed away on December 22, 2020. A respected businessman and generous philanthropist, he was dedicated to supporting his community. The personal and individual relationship that has emerged between FESAC and Mr. Dabdoub Chávez throughout the years has been invaluable to both parties and will be deeply missed by members of the border community. His original wish was to establish a family fund to support NGO’s for people with terminal cancer. Yet, once he was presented with the local NGO’s directory, he started the fund with an amount 300% larger than what he had originally planned. He has been integral to the realization of many people's dreams; he was the first social Investor for Manitas que Hablan, Nogales, Asoc. Down, Venciendo al Autismo, Group of Cancer Survivors, Comedor para Migrantes Guadalupano and the Guadalupano Sewing Group. He was also a regular donor for many other organizations in the community. Before investing in community organizations, he had been supporting migrants on their way North or South with personal cash allowances for those who asked for support for immediate needs. As a result, FESAC set up a visit for him to the Juan Bosco Shelter. His fund for the shelter supported new, much needed mattresses, beds and kitchen equipment. By September 2005, the shelter had provided 3 nights and one meal for 14,000 migrants. The shelter has kept its doors open to migrants to this day. His many projects include supporting a community center with a kitchen for the migrants, youth-oriented programs, promoting volunteer work, self-employed workshops, etc. Because of his example, the volunteers who ran it understood the need for accountability, order, and organization. A wonderful gentleman and businessman to work with, he truly understood the concept of Social Investment, especially in Education and Health.  It has been a privilege to know him. His legacy will go on as he rests in peace. Alma Cota de Yanez, Executive Director of FESAC Nogales in collaboration with Luis Arturo Torres Muñoz, FESAC President

Celebrating the Life of Margaret Ellen "Peg" Bowden

Margaret Ellen “Peg” Bowden, age 78, passed away on December 27, 2020 at her home in Tubac, AZ, surrounded by her family.   While a complete recount of her memorable life, a life that lives on in all of us who were blessed by her friendship, can be found here. I would like to share a personal story that illuminates the special soul that is Peg.  When my wife Teresa and I moved to the Arizona/Mexico border in 2006, I took a position as the executive director of the Nogales based St Andrews Children’s Clinic. Peg was one of the first people I met.  She was a tireless worker with the Samaritans, an activist humanitarian group who went to the wild parts of the border to bring water and aid to migrants in need. What Peg saw was missing was a citizen-based movement to honor and strengthen the long-standing connections between sister communities on both sides of the border. Peg’s leadership and guidance was critical to the decision to create the Border Community Alliance to bridge the border and to use personal service and public education as a model to combat the injustice and injury suffered by so many migrant families seeking refuge from conflict and poverty. Every week, using her nursing skills, Peg would heal and comfort the suffering of those crossing the border. One day, I was at the border crossing close to the informal first aid clinic on the Mexican side run by the Kino Border Initiative where Peg volunteered when I met a lady who had just come from the clinic. She was deeply moved by what she had seen. She told me that a migrant had come to the border hardly able to walk due to the injuries to his feet from days walking in the unforgiving Sonoran Desert. Peg came to him, had him sit and while softly talking to him, carefully and skillfully cleaned and bound up his wounds. The woman said, “it was like a scene out of the Bible.”  That was Peg, dedicated to healing and caring for the wounded and fearlessly confronting the policies and people who were responsible for the suffering. Peg was an author, a nurse, a musician, an agitator for change, an organizer, a teacher, a painter and most of all, an incredible friend. I am blessed and inspired by her example and treasure the too short time that I was blessed to be her colleague. I will honor her by continuing to support her work on the border.  Bob Phillips Founder of the Border Community Alliance and Senior Advisor to FESAC

Snowfall in Nogales

Nogales had beautiful snowfall this winter season! The photograph to our left is of children staying at *Casa de la Misericordia, one of FESAC's partner organizations offering shelter for migrant families. Look through our gallery for more pictures and click here if you would like to learn about the challenges faced by immigrants in harsh winter conditions along the US-Mexico border. *Translates to "The House of Mercy" Gallery link

How To Support

Given that this crisis will go on for months, a regular monthly contribution will give FESAC a predictable income stream. If you know people who may be interested in this cause, send them to the FESAC contact on this bulletin or direct them to FESAC Sr Advisor Bob Phillips at rtp1844@gmail.com for further information. Your contribution is tax deductible. It will make the families at the border know that they are not forgotten and that their lives matter!  To support our current campaign, please click the button below. You will be directed to our GoFundMe webpage and find more detailed information on Teachers and Tablets for Children at the Border. We work closely with Border Community Alliance (BCA), a US Nonprofit based in Tubac, Arizona, to bring resources, education and hope to the Nogales community. BCA and FESAC Nogales have launched a GoFundMe campaign, “Teachers and Tablets for Children at the Border”, focused on providing educational opportunities to migrant and asylum seeker families’ children. Help us provide quality education to children in border communities so that they can recapture their future!

Further Reading Separated at the border, reunited, then separated again (Washington Post) A Maryland couple opened their home to a Honduran mother and son. They ended up sharing more than space (MSN) Forced into Danger (Physicians for Human Rights) US 'Remain in Mexico' Harms Children, Families (HRW) Remembering Black Immigrants During Black History Month (The Immigration Coalition)

Take Action

FESAC Nogales | fesacmedia@gmail.com | Website

‌ ‌

FESAC Board Chair – Luis A. Torres Muñoz FESAC Executive Director – Alma Cota de Yanez Senior Advisor to FESAC – Robert T. Phillips