Support Rios-Sánchez Children After Parents' Death

On Feb. 20th, 2021, 48-year-old Isabel Sanchez died of COVID-19. Three days later, her husband Moises Rios (50 years old) died of the same terrible illness, leaving behind their five Rios-Sanchez children who range from age 11-29 and six young grandchildren ranging from 6 months to 11 years old. The oldest daughter, Rosa, works at a hardware store, and Miriam Araceli (whose nickname is “Cheli”) is a cashier at a grocery store. Diego repairs cell phones, and Andres, who broke his back in a work accident, is looking for work. In addition to struggling to make ends meet for their own families, the young adult Rios-Sanchez children are now responsible for raising their bright little sister Sliri (11), who was almost always at one of her parents’ side.



Both Moises and Isabel worked for Augsburg University’s Center for Global Education & Experience in Cuernavaca, Mexico (known locally as “CEMAL”). Isabel began cleaning the facilities in 1998 and then returned in 2007. Moises worked periodically as a driver of one of the 14-passenger vans for years and then joined the staff formally as a night watchman in 2009. Both continued to work for Augsburg until their tragic illnesses last month.

From the time she was tiny, Sliri came to Augsburg-Mexico after daycare and later after school. A now straight-A student, she did her homework and played quietly. She also helped many students with their Spanish and began to learn English. Isabel frequently said that her dream was for Sliri to be the first in the family to graduate from high school and the university – “maybe Augsburg,” she’d say with a smile. Sadly, there are no longer true public high schools in Mexico. Entrance exams are required and tuition fees are required for attendance. We are hoping to set aside 25% of funds towards Sliri's education to fulfill Isabel's and Moises's wish. 

Please help us meet our goal of raising US $20,000.00 USD! Your kind support and contribution is truly appreciated by the committee who is putting this together. Recurring donations are greatly appreciated as well!

Admins include: Ashley Yang, Former Student, 2016-2018 Participant; Rachel Picard, Former Student, 2014 Participant;  Preenon Huq, Former Student, 2018 Participant; Ann Lutterman-Aguilar, Director of CEMAL, Augsburg University; Mary Laural True, Former Student, 1979 Participant and Augsburg University Staff; Ana Romes, Former Student, 1993 Participant.

#SupportRiosSanchezFamily #SendSliritoSchool #COVID19