Juarez shelter opens new chapter for hosting migrants

JUAREZ, Chihuahua -- A Juarez shelter is helping migrants beyond the basic necessities of life. Three weeks ago, the Enrique "Kiki" Romero Municipal Gymnasium inaugurated its first library.

The library is the only one of its kind in Juarez. The shelter is currently helping 160 migrants.

ABC-7 spoke with the teacher who is in charge of the library. She told us that this library is opportunity for migrants to take a moment to rest and escape.

"They are very happy. They find in the library an area of ​​distraction where they can feel comfortable and calm," said, Adilene Torres, the teacher in charge of the library.

Torres, says not every migrant might like to read, but those who got to read leave happier.

The new library contains over 7-thousand books. They rely on the city and community for donations.

In January, the city issued a call for book donations.

It's an idea that began about a year ago.

The next renovation is an exercise center. "We are very advanced in a project in which we hope to be installing it in a month or more," said Gonzalez, Juarez's Director for Human Rights.