About

Casa De La Misericordia y de Todas las Naciones is located in Nogales, on the outskirts of Nogales Mexico. The shelter was created and managed by Sister Lika and supported by many volunteers from both sides of the border. A diverse population resides at our shelter: entire families, single women with children, and single women alone. We have created a self-educated community for and with people in vulnerable situations, where they can explore, learn, and develop their skills in a warm, safe space that supports their human rights. Self-managed, safe, and free, they make this shelter their temporary home. Within the safety of this facility, the residents work to keep the grounds pristine, while cooking, cleaning and attending classes.  Still, many of the adults long for training and some source of income. This was the motivation for the Ukulele Shop, which provides dignified work for adults and teens. The people here are so sincere and diligent. They’ve learned from Jim Kesseli, an amateur luthier, and the master luthier, Alan Caruth of Newport, NH. Rose and Samuel lead a group of dedicated young artists at La Casa. This is their story.

Rose calls the Ukulele Shop, “Taller de Sueños,” the Shop of Dreams. Having fled her home in southern Mexico in order to save the lives of her two tiny daughters, one in arms, the other with her hand reached up high, she felt that all of her dreams had died. She arrived at the border and did not where to go. The family slept on the street for a few days until someone directed them up a long steep gravel hill to La Casa, The Home of Mercy of all Nations. La Casa is a safe refuge and caring community. Rose saw no way forward for her family. In her words, she knelt on the ground and lifted her heart to her Heavenly Father, “Help me find a way to support my family, a way of hope, a way to a future.” The very next day, Jim Kesseli, an engineer from New Hampshire, arrived with an idea, a tiny seed to plant, to spring up with purpose and hope.

Samuel also fled for his life with his wife and toddler son from El Salvador where he had managed a factory. Although grateful for the safe haven, he met with the volunteers and said, ”I really enjoy learning how to build the ukes, but I am afraid I will be leaving soon. I need to provide for my family.” Samuel had no real options so he was planning on risking his life, illegally crossing the blistering Sonoran desert in 110 degree weather to try and get a job working at a hotel in Phoenix where his sister worked so he could send Western Union checks back to his wife who would stay at the Casa. “No, no, Samuel. You are a skilled craftsman with people skills. We will find a job here for you.” So we put together a business plan that included supervisors and a pay schedule. Someone whispered, “I think we just saved a life today.”

More About the Project

Musica de Misericordia is a small, tidy shop in a compound community that houses, feeds, and schools a group of forty or fifty migrants. It is a happy place with tools neatly organized, inspiring ukes in all stages of construction proudly lining the wall, with its very own coffee pot and music speaker. Every uke has its challenges, but the team enjoys problem-solving, pulling from their growing experiences with glue, presses, and saws. The current challenge involves molding very sturdy yet tenacious mesquite wood into a gleaming instrument, which is then painted by another community member with desert scenes that reflect a moment in each story.

The leadership team works six days a week; each knows the process from start to finish.  They teach the steady flow of new-comers, emphasizing accuracy and care. Each ukulele is an individual work of art. Nothing is easy, but each member of La Casa is so very happy to be part of something purposeful that builds into the future.  

We thank you for your encouragement and support.  If you would like to purchase one of our tenor ukuleles, please contact Jim Kesseli at kesseli@braytonenergy.com.