I belong to a Facebook group called “Cancun Expats and Friends” which is a great group of people who like me decided to make Cancun their home.People post questions, tips, and articles about what’s going on in Mexico. Recently one of its members, T.J., reached out and asked if anyone could help with some donations, specifically milk, for an orphanage in Bonfil called Casa Hogar Para Niños Esperanza. I thought that this would be a great way to give back to the community where I have been living since 1995.
Casa Hogar Para Niños Esperanza is a Christian based orphanage just south of Cancun (about a 10 minute drive) in Colonia Alfredo Bonfil. It has been in operation since 1992 after someone left a baby on Pastor Ascencio and his wife, Esther’s doorstep. Sadly most of the children that make their way to this orphanage have a history of abuse. Casa Hogar currently takes care of 12 kids ranging in ages from 3-18 years old.
Yesterday morning my husband and I accompanied T.J. to the orphanage as I wanted to get a better feel for the place. We met at Costco on a Wednesday as T.J. takes supplies to the orphanage every Wednesday. My husband and I decided to donate a case of milk and 4 kilos of apples. We followed T.J. to Bonfil and parked outside a medium sized two-floor building that houses the children, the Pastor and his wife. After unloading the “goods” which consisted of cases of milk, hot dogs, hot dog buns, eggs, apples and juiceboxes we were introduced to Esther whose whole demeanour gave off a warm, friendly glow. She thanked us for our help and encouraged us to look around. We checked out the bedrooms, the newly renovated kitchen and bathrooms and met a little boy who is still too young to go to school. He came over to us with a big smile and said “hola” just as the bigger kids arrived from their morning classes. The place came alive with chatting kids and activity as one by one they dropped their bags on the floor and greeted T.J. and Esther.
After looking around some more we left as I had to get back to work but not before making a commitment to supply 1 case of milk and fruit every month. It isn’t much but every little donation does help. If you are interested in helping out this truly worthwhile cause you can by either donating money:
Donations can be made at www.friendsofcasahogar.org/donate
T.J Carter is the contact person and their phones are: Mexico: 887-2000 Local Call : 011-52-998-887-2000 From USA USA Phone: 407-354-3600 Rings in Mexico
Or you can donate food or clothing. Adult clothing is sold at a Bazaar to get money to further help the orphanage by paying utility bills etc.
Food:
Cases of milk
Fruit juice boxes
Cases of eggs
Chicken
Meat
Pork
Chorizo Sausage
Fruit (especially apples)
Vegetables (though Costco donates some fruit and veggies on a regular basis)
Hot dogs
Hot dog buns
The occasional box of cookies
If you are interested in donating food or clothing you can either visit the orphanage yourself or contact me for further information. This orphanage receives zero funding by the government so please do consider lending a helping hand to such a worthwhile charity.
Since the beginning of Feb they can be found here : www.friendsofcasahogar.org and www.facebook.com/friendsofcasahogar
Let’s help keep these kids smiling.
****My Husband and I are not Christians. It doesn’t matter what faith you are as the goal here is to help children in need.
A very worthwhile cause for anyone wishing to help those in need Ashlie and will certainly do my part by donating some produce when I go down to Cancun next month.
As a point of interest I googled, “What is a Christian?’ and found that the Miriam-Webster dictionary defines a Christian as someone who has been baptised into the Christian faith or someone who follows the teachings of Christ. Bearing this definition in mind, it would seem that anyone who is kind and generous to those less fortunate than themselves, by donating either their time, effort or goods can be called a Christian regardless of their personal beliefs.
Mom….that is great! It will be much appreciated
A great cause ashlie xx I am a Christian,I also respect every other faith. I totally agree with your Mom, To me anyone who is good Kind and does things for other people without expecting anything in return can say they are Christian. I will set up a standing order through paypal,it will not be a lot but as you said every little bit helps. God Bless you and all that are involved in looking after the children xxx
WOW Dawn!! That is very kind of you. Thank you!
A very nice post Ashlie. We also delivered almost 5 kg of “healthy” cereal. But for a hungry child, even Fruit Loops do the trick.
Thank you for bringing Casa Hogar to the attention of those who read your blog.
God bless,
T.J.
Thank you T.J., See you next month! 🙂
Hola Ashley
I would love to organize a little party for this wonderful family, maybe a lunch with some surprises for the kids. My husband has flagfootball teams and I would love to inspire them and encourgae them on how important is to share our time and love with this kids. It would be our pleasure to be able to help them with some donations and also to go there and play with them.
Plese let me know 🙂
Hello Aline,
That sounds like a lovely idea. Please contact T.J. Carter tcarter789@gmail.com You can coordinate with him. Thank you for stopping by my blog and wanting to help.
Ashlie, thanks for the great post! I stumbled upon your blog while researching how my family and I might be able to help a local orphanage during our travel to Cancun next month. I’m in the process of contacting the orphanage through the contact info on their website. Thanks for helping to point the way!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for wanting to help out! You can also contact T.J. Carter directly at: tcarter789@gmail.com He is the reason that I got involved and I am sure that he would be more than willing to meet up with you. I hope that you and your family have a lovely trip to Cancun.
I just returned from the Cancun/Playa area last week…and left a piece of my heart there. It was only in these last few days after returning home that I heard of this orphanage…and am interested in returning to do some short-term work a few times a year for this orphanage and “doing good” projects like it. Any suggestions from a “native” like yourself would be appreciated! Thanks for sharing!
Hello Ann,
Thank you for your interest in my blog. The orphanage that I wrote about is a very worthy cause and you could get involved with them.T.J.(I became involved with the orphanage through him) is American and could help you connect with the orphanage as he is very involved with them. tcarter789@gmail.com
do they speak English – at least Esther and her husband – that we could connect with them on our trip to Cancun?
Hello Cindi,
Thank you for your interest. I am not sure whether Esther speaks English or not. I would imagine that she does but you could also contact T.J.(I became involved with the orphanage through him) He is American and could help you connect with the orphanage as he is very involved them. tcarter789@gmail.com
Hi! Some friends are visiting this area in March.
Is there a way to contact them directly?
They want to brings supplies.
What should they bring?
Thanks so much!
Peace, Caroline
Hello Caroline,
Thank you for your interest in Casa Hogar. Your friends can contact T.J. Carter tcarter789@gmail.com He can help them out regarding what to bring etc. All the best, Ashlie
Hi Ashlie,
Your blogger Tobi (& Alex) found us thru you. Today they went with me to Costco and Mega and made a generous gift to Casa Hogar by picking up the tab for the shopping. They also went with me to deliver the groceries, take a tour and to visit with Esther. Another generous couple blessed us with 3 fresh chickens (18 lbs) and two large bags of apples. Not sure if they want to be named but their blessings are an ongoing monthly commitment.
We have a new Facebook page and invite you and your bloggers to visit us at http://www.facebook.com/friendsofcasahogar
We are making changes and imptovements as we go. We are also working hard on a Friends of Casa Hogar website. More on that later.
Love,
TJ.
Hola Ashlie and her faithful following.
We continue to bless these children. Our Facebook page is about two weeks old, http://www.facebook.com/friendsofcasahogar and less than a week ago we rolled out our new website, http://www.friendsofcasahogar.org. There are other groups helping Casa Hogar but you can be assured that we are the real deal. Ashlie has pretty much said just that.
I will see her soon and see how we can link to her new blog and she can link to our new one. Stay tuned for this.
To those of you who have posted here, I can help you visit, with your gifts, donations or whatever. Esther and Pastor Mancilla can communicate in English just not in perfect English. They are not there 100% of the time but I go at least every Wednesday and will be happy to escort one and all. The only thing they ask is that we respect that this is their home, these are kids and some don’t like to pose for pictures. This is cultural and not personal.
Ashlie, thanks for letting me post here. Your bloggers can contact me anytime by email that is already here but again, tcarter789@gmail.com. Finally, we are this (hold your finger and thumb about 1/2″ apart) close to donations being cash deductible, in partnership with a charitable organization in the states.
Blessings to all,
TJ
I have a non profit in the states. We worked for years at Casa Hogar, a hadicaped home and Red Cross in Piedras Negras. I am looking to relocate to Isla Mujeres. I will make a point to visit this childrens home in Cancun when we arrive in Srpt or Oct.
Hello Dennis,
Unfortunately Casa Hogar had to close down