It is surprising how well the children get along with each other. Despite the trauma that many have been through, there is not alot of aggressive behavior.  Older children look out and care for the younger children.  Together, kids share the space on the playground; boys playing basketball stop and let the little ones ride their tricycles.  Several children at the Orphanage are here with siblings.  

 

Our Nursery building has held up to eighteen infants and toddlers at once.  We have children ages newborn and up. The babies are brought from the Mexican social services.  Some have been abandoned, and come to us without a birth certificate, birth date, or even a name.  Others are from prostitutes.  Some babies come addicted to drugs.  Until 2005, Mexican laws made adoptions almost nonexistent.  But with recent changes, twenty children from the Nursery were adopted by Mexican national families last year.  (See Adoption Info in FAQ.)  The nursery kids are cared for by nanny Maria and others.  Maria loves the children dearly and cries when they’re adopted and taken to new homes.  It is a bittersweet time.  Check out the Nursery Scrapbook page.

 

There are separate dorms for the school age girls and boys.  The children of each dorm are cared for by their nanny.  Betty, the boys’ nanny, has been with the boys for many years.  The kids grow up at the Orphanage, attending school, playing, going to church and being part of the community of San Antonio de las Minas.  There are photos in the Elementary Scrapbook page.

 

Children that become teenagers at the Orphanage have often been there many years. They go to school, studying and preparing for their lives as adults. (See Education is Important.)  They also help out with the family chores.  The teenage boys sweep and help with the grounds.  The teen girls assist with the meals and the nursery children.  Check out the Teen Scrapbook page.