SHURA DOCUMENTARY FILM SYNOPSIS

You will fall in love with Shura. SHURA is the story of an octogenarian woman’s powerful commitment and mission to provide aid to migrants crossing the border, helping to save lives in the harsh and ruthless elements of the Arizona desert.

With her small team of activists, Shura will go to great lengths to ensure these people in need survive. This short doc will wake people up to the situation on the border amongst the volunteers, border control and a failed border wall. It explores the best side of the human spirit and the kindness of one incredibly endearing human being to another.

WHO IS SHURA?

“When I look into the faces of the migrants we encounter, my heart begins to sink. When I see a smile across their faces, it is worth every moment of despair I have felt.”

January 2012 marked the seventh anniversary of the Green Valley/Sahuarita Samaritans. As a co-founder of that humanitarian group, Shura Wallin, 82, clearly remembers how it started.

Growing up very poor, she suffered from discrimination, but she also learned about compassion. Her parents taught her about the necessity to help those in need regardless of who they are. “Even as a kid I would try to lessen the suffering of any living creature in distress.” Later in life, when living in Berkeley, Shura spent 14 years working with the homeless as a co-founder of the “Dorothy Day House” food program. In 1996, in recognition of her tireless dedication, the City of Berkeley chose her as one of its “Outstanding Women of the Year”.

Now, Shura is devoting 30 to 40 hours a week to her volunteer humanitarian work. A significant percentage of that time is currently spent in Nogales, Sonora where the Samaritans assist migrants deported from the U.S. Once a week, they join the Jesuit priests and the Sisters of the Eucharist who run a shelter called El Comedor, established by the Kino Border Initiative. One day recently, Shura greeted a very ill and frightened 22-year-old migrant deported through Tijuana where he had been separated from his brother. Shura was able to secure medical help and the assistance of the Mexican Consulate that led within a week to the brothers’ reunion.

“I was dancing with joy. That is why I will continue to do this work as best as I can, as long as I live here. When I look into the faces of the migrants we encounter, my heart begins to sink. When I see a smile across their faces, it is worth every moment of despair I have felt.”

Guided in part by the Buddhist principles of kindness and non-attachment, Shura remains deeply focused on the core mission of the Samaritans––saving lives in the desert, one at a time. “Nothing is more sacred. Moral laws have to take the high ground.”