Our Projects
Learn about the incredible things happening at Albergue ABBA
Down in Celaya, halfway through the terrible journey of the refugees, there is a respite center known as ABBA House. It is not huge, except in its effect. Sometimes its limited space is crammed with 300 sleeping people. A gentleman whose leg was torn off by the migrant train works there with kids too exhausted to go on. The pastor who created ABBA House cares for anyone who comes, often under great risk from predators. He accepts all guests.
Albergue ABBA is a migrant shelter in Celaya, Mexico run by Pastor Ignacio and his family.
Pastor Ignacio Martínez Ramírez
ABBA means “father” in Hebrew and symbolizes the caring nature of its founder, Pastor Ignacio, who offers migrants a temporary stay in a safe environment. While there, migrants receive meals, medical and psychological assistance, and information and assistance for applying for asylum in Mexico.
ABBA Shelter is the #1 amputation rehabilitation center for refugees in the country.
Abril de los Ángeles Martinez Vega
Ignacio’s daughter, Abril, oversees the health and welfare of ABBA residents. She has implemented educational programs, established protocols for health and safety during COVID, and developed a therapeutic program for people who have acquired disabilities during the migration route. With a degree in clinical psychology from the American Continent University and a huge warm heart, Abril is uniquely qualified to help migrant amputees with the struggles they face, physically and emotionally.
What they said about Albergue ABBA
Learn about Albergue ABBA from migrants, volunteers and staff.
Thank God for the people at Albergue ABBA
I left Honduras two and a half years ago with my oldest daughter. We arrived in Celaya in May 2019 and were begging in the street when we were hit by a car. The driver just drove off even though we were badly injured—our legs were crushed. Thank God for the people at Albergue ABBA, they came for me at the hospital and we’ve been given lots of support here. My daughter and I receive regular medical treatment from the onsite nurse. My daughter is now twelve and has also been getting school lessons at ABBA.
I was welcomed here
After the back-to-back hurricanes in 2020 there was no work in Honduras. I have three kids to support. Now they live in a shack along the river in San Pedro Sula, but I want them to have a real house. I arrived in Celaya on La Bestia (the train) and asked around for a safe place to stay. They told me to go to Albergue ABBA and I was welcomed here and given breakfast and fruit for the road.
I feel safe here
I was riding on La Bestia and fell off the train in Saltillo. Another migrant fell on top of me. I lost a leg but the guy who fell on top of me was cut in half and died right there. The day of the accident, people were being robbed atop the train and there was panic among the migrants. In the chaos, I was pushed off the train. I don’t remember much, just waking up in the hospital in Saltillo. Once I was stable, they transferred me to ABBA. The people at ABBA are good people. I’ve been here two years now. They give me everything I need and I feel safe here. I have my prosthetic leg now and ABBA helps with my rehabilitation. There is a nurse here every day. The educational program is also very helpful. I didn’t complete 6th grade but at ABBA I’ve finished elementary school and I’m slowly working on my middle school degree. ABBA is also helping me get legal. Hopefully INM will give me status. I don’t know what will happen but Pastor Ignacio has been helping me with my immigration papers.