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Assist Migrants and ABBA House

Javier Zamora in Conversation with Sandra Cisneros

**Simultaneous translation available**

On March 21, the Latin American Relief Fund with the support of the San Miguel Writers’ Conference will welcome Javier Zamora, author of Solito, the New York Times’ bestselling memoir. Javier’s story and this benefit for ABBA House could not be more critical than in this moment of crisis for migrants in Mexico and around the world. Javier will be joined in conversation by San Miguel’s beloved author, Sandra Cisneros.

As a 9-year-old boy, Javier left his grandmother, grandfather, and aunt in El Salvador to travel 3,000 miles alone through Guatemala and Mexico to reunite with his parents in the United States. At once sorrowful and hopeful, this remarkable true story is a mirror of a cycle that continues today as families struggle to escape violence and economic devastation.

The book’s beauty lies in the sometimes-terrifying vulnerability arising from a child’s perspective and in the care and support provided by fellow migrants who embrace and help Javier in his arduous journey north. Javier will revisit his story 25 years later in support of ABBA House, an organization that has opened its doors to thousands of Javier Zamoras and is now facing budget cuts due to the elimination of USAID.

Those of us in San Miguel who have had the privilege of meeting ABBA House Director Pastor Ignacio Ramirez know that he is an embodiment of principled compassion and love. Pastor Ignacio, his family, and his staff have given to every person who has stayed at ABBA House the respect and dignity all those who seek safety and a better way of life deserve.

Please join us in supporting ABBA House and to keep alive Pastor Ignacio’s transformative vision to create a Centro Cultural de Derechos Humanos/Center for Culture and Human Rights to provide long-time housing for ABBA House’s most vulnerable population who desire to remain in Mexico.

Other events during Migrant Awareness Week

Wednesday March 19 5:00 pm: Screening of the documentary Lo que queda en el camino  

This touching and beautifully told documentary tells the story of a mother and her four children as they migrate from Guatemala in search of a better life.

Santa Ana Theater at the Biblioteca, Relox 50, Centro

Friday, March 21st 5:00 pm: Javier Zamora, author of Solito, in conversation with author Sandra Cisneros

Real de Minas Ballroom, Camino Viejo del Panteón 1



7:00–8:00 pm Donor Reception with Javier Zamora and Pastor Ignacio Ramírez

Posada Corazón, Aldama 9, Centro

Saturday, March 22nd 4:00 pm: Presentation by Giovanni Lepri, Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mexico

Migrants and Refugees: Protection and integration in an increasingly polarized and complex regional and global contest. 

Camino Silvestre, Correo 43, Centro

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