Overview

Casa Guatemala is an orphanage that cares for the nurturing, health and education of over 250 children.  These children come from a variety of backgrounds; some have been abandoned, some have been abused, while still others come from families too poor to even provide the basics of a child's needs.  You can find out about the background of some of the children here.

The project touches the lives of hundreds of people.  The 250+ kids that live at the children's village, the people who work at the orphanage, the teachers that are employed at the orphanage school, members of the local village, workers at the Hotel Backpackers and the volunteers from all over the world who give their time to help out.

The orphanage receives no government support and is totally dependent upon the kind donations from people and groups from around the world.  Casa Guatemala is split into three interdependent sites, each with its own function but working in concert. These sites are as follows:

Site #1 – Infant Home / Medical Centre

This site, located in Zone 1 of Guatemala City, is home to a varying number of children between infancy and 2 years of age. It also houses a very busy 24 hour/25 bed on-site medical centre, which extends free treatments to thousands of children and adults per year. The infant home and clinic is entirely staffed by Guatemalans and includes: 2 doctors, 5 nurses, 7 baby sitters, a lab technician, a cook, a psychologist and 3 social workers.  It is also staffed by some of the older girls from the children’s village - providing them with an income and work experience while they continue their studies in the capital.

Site #2 – Teenagers Home / Administration Office

This site, located in Zone 10 of Guatemala City, is home to the teenagers of Casa Guatemala who work at the Infant Home/Clinic and who are continuing their studies in the city. They live there under the supervision of a house mother with more independence than when they resided at the Children’s Village. This site also houses the main administrative office of the orphanage, and living quarters of the Administrative Director.
 

Site #3 – The Children’s Village

This site, located in Rio Dulce near the Caribbean coast, is home to a varying number of children (approximately 250) between 5 and 16 years of age.

These children come to the Children’s Village due to abandonment, abuse, and extreme poverty issues.

There are also a number of children whose families live in such poverty and isolation that the Children's Village is the only chance the they will get for proper nutrition and an education.

This site is indeed a very special place for the children to grow up.  On your visit today please take a few moments to tour our Children’s Village.