Esperanza Home for Children

The Esperanza Home for Children was started over 30 years ago and now provides a home to 65-100 children aged 2 weeks – 18 years old.

The children arrive at Esperanza by judge order having survived significant abuse and neglect. The children are cared for by a group of missionary sisters (similar to Mother Teresa’s nuns) that have dedicated their lives to creating a safe and loving environment for these children. The children are provided daily meals, clothing, medical attention, enrollment in school, or specialized education. There is also an on-site team of psychologists and social workers. But the most important factor to the children’s psychological rehabilitation is the love and care given to them by the missionary sisters.

Mission Santa Maria has partnered with Esperanza to cover the cost of education (school fees, school supplies, and school uniforms) for every child living at the home. Sometimes, children arrive at the home having never attended school in the past. To support the education of these children we provide tutors for homeschooling until the children are caught up and can enter Santa Maria Del Fiat School.

Mission Santa Maria also supports special projects such as safe drinking water, hot water systems for bathing, and washing machines to ease the burden of laundry (for 65-100 children!). Mission Santa Maria maintains an emergency food fund to ensure that the children always have something to eat. When necessary, we have also undertaken larger scale projects such as the construction of new bathrooms for the boys or safety updates in the kitchen.

• 69 children educated: We met all the educational needs for children living at the home including provision of uniforms, school supplies, tuition, and homeschooling
• $50,000 Food Fund: In response to a food crisis at the home, we increased our emergency food fund and paid for over 6 months of food for all children, caregivers, and staff
• 2 Activities: Enrolled all children in soccer and ballet to benefit from extracurricular activities and give caregivers a much needed break
• 5 Staff: Employed 5 staff members to ease caregiver burden and help with tutoring, laundry, cleaning and cooking
• 7 Washing Machines: Purchased 5 new washing machines and 2 dryers to help handle high volumes of laundry and maintain hygiene at the home
• 2 Generators: Purchased 2 generators to keep refrigerator and freezer functioning during extended power outages
• 25 New Fans: Bought and installed ceiling fans for 4 houses to improve living conditions in this hot tropical climate
• 1 Septic Pump Repaired: Repaired and updated the septic system of the home to safely manage waste and preserve a sanitary living environment