Accompaniment

Our work at the Kino Border Initiative goes beyond providing food, clothing, medical care, and shelter. As an organization, we are called to accompany those faced with the harsh reality that is deportation. A small conversation or an opportunity to share their story is one of the small gifts we provide that goes a very long way. Pushed through the lines of prisons in the US, pushed through the lines of immigration in Mexico, and left in the streets of Nogales, what so many of the women and men that pass through the comedor lack is another person to talk with; to share with. Thats why the Kino Border Initiative is where it is and does what it does.

Migrants sharing their stories for the newsletter

Read the 10th Edition of Una Parada En El Camino. A newsletter written by the migrants who pass through our doors each day here.

Phone Calls and Sharing

After some discussion, we have begun to provide free phone calls to the men and women who pass through the comedor. Thanks to the organization No More Deaths, they have lent us their phones that can reach the states and Mexico free of charge, migrants now have the ability to contact their families directly from the comedor. This is crucial. Migrants need to contact their families to alert them to their situation, to recieve money, and to organize a trip home. Now, and up until Christmas, these calls are especially important seeing that many of the men and women are desperate to spend the holidays with their families.

Further the weekly bulletin, Una Parada En El Camino, has been a big success. We are recieving dozens of stories each meal. It is obvious that many of the men and women who pass through the comedor are eager to share and what they have been desperatly lacking is an ear to listen. This weekly bulletin written by the migrants, for the migrants, provides that chance to share.
Here is the 9th edition...  
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/57858792/UPC-1018

KBI Medical Clinic

Kino Border Initiative has begun work on a medical clinic directly across the street from the comedor. Opening in the next few days, the clinic will service recently deported migrants who need medical attention. The clinic will host medical students from Arizona universities who will volunteer their time to help treat and learn from the migrants who pass through the clinic. 

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers Erin and Adolfo, the clinic has a fresh coat of paint and a whole lot of spirit. Thanks to groups like The Samaritins and donations from different groups and individuals, the clinic storage is already filling up with medical supplies, medication, and crutches (a whole lot of crutches!). 

Pictures to follow with the opening! 

Two KBI Staff Members Speak at World Social Forum

Sister Maria Engracia Robles, Director of Migrant Assitance, and Father Sean Carroll, Exectuive Director of KBI, spent a week in Ecuador at the World Social Forum. They had the chance to meet with some of the world's most innovative and progressive thinkers concerning immigration and the rights of migrants. Besides learning from several powerful presentations, Sister Engracia and Father Sean had the chance to present the work of KBI to the forum's attendees.

True Love

Vilma and her husband Ramon arrived to Nogales after a long trek from their home in Guerrero and an unsuccessful attempt to cross into the United States. Leaving their four children in Guerrero, Vilma was determined to get to the United States so that her children "could have the education that they deserve."

After five days and two shelters later, Ramon was forced to stay on the streets. Vilma however, found the loving care of Casa Nazaret, a shelter run by KBI. Vilma passed two nights in Casa Nazaret. However for these two nights, Ramon couldn't sleep. "I was up all night worrying about my wife." Even the following days in the comedor Ramon couldn't eat. Vilma shared breakfast with the fellow women in the shelter and did not arrive to meet her husband until after the meals. When they did finally reunite after a night apart it seemed as if they had not seen eachother in years. Ramon was on the verge of tears and Vilma, after two warm nights in a comfortable bed, was there to support him. 

Welcome to the KBI Blog

 Welcome to the Kino Border Initiative's blog. We are bi-national organziation serving deported migrants in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. With a center within view of the border, we serve hundreds of women, men, and children each day with food, clothing, medical care, and pastoral support.

Through daily updates, you can keep posted on the news from the comedor, our shelter, and our medical clinic. Saludos!