WOA Foundation

Our belief is to Rescue, Stabilize and Transform the poor and more-than-poor of northern Sonora who are not being served by any agency or group. We are located in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, a very poor border town of 200,000 across from Douglas, Arizona. Since 2000, the Wings of Angels Crisis Intervention Clinic in Agua Prieta has held 115 consecutive monthly clinics (10,000 patient visits) staffed by volunteers, medical doctors and nurses who provide medical and dental treatment, administer care and deliver medications, arrange surgeries, provide glasses, prosthetics and orthotics, provide family counseling and mentoring, formulated milk, diapers, physical therapy and equipment, wheelchairs, blankets, fresh produce from the Wings teaching garden, support for education, and winterized shelters. To understand the lifestyle of the poor and more-than-poor it is helpful to read the somewhat shocking descriptions below.

The Poor: A poor border family consists of a reasonably whole unit with mother, father, a grandparent, and several children. Good family values are generally in place. The father has a job and makes $50-$70 a week. The family has water, an outside toilet, perhaps electricity or several lights and a television,sometimes powered by a car battery. The diet is principally flour tortillas, beans and rice with intermittent additional food sources. (With this diet, the incidence of Type II diabetes is high). The family does not own a car. The children go to school until the cost of books and uniforms prevents their attendance. The adult members of the family have been educated, generally through junior high, while living in the Mexican interior. The number of poor in Agua Prieta is estimated to be 42,000.*

The More-Than-Poor: In the second category, the more-than-poor, the family unit is haphazard, and can include death, orphans, and serious physical or mental limitation. The living environment does not protect from desert heat or freezing winter temperatures. The food supply is intermittent. No one in the family is employed. Family members may engage in crime, drugs and delinquencies. There is no support for school attendance or achievement. There is no electricity or propane to preserve or cook foods. There is no knowledge or awareness of helpful resources in the community. There is no medical support. There is no nutritional support for mental and physical ability to work. The number of more-than-poor is estimated to be 42,000.*

*These figures and category descriptions are cited by Juan Dominquez, Executive Director, DIF (all PAN government social programs), Agua Prieta, 2003-2006

Hector Bravo begins his new, normal life at the Wings of Angels Sonoran Crisis Intervention Clinic. He has been with us beginning as a one year old.