In Mexico there are about 900 orphanages, in which there are about 30 thousand children. Only in the city of Tijuana there are over 100 of these institutions, each one houses between 40 and up to 100 minors. These institutions are in charge of education, feeding, care, development and insertion into the society of hundreds of children.

Why does a child end up in an orphanage in Tijuana?

Contrary to what might be thought, the children who live in orphanages are not necessarily parentless. In fact, most of them have at least one of their parents or another relative, but they are removed from their families by the authorities due to abuse, violence or some other problem. This is the reason, frequently, adoption in Mexico is not a possibility for children. 

Orphanages in Mexico:one of the most abandoned sectors

Definitely, the casas hogar, as orphanages are called in Mexico, is one of the most abandoned sectors by the authorities of this country. Suffice it to say that there is not even an exact number of orphanages or abandoned children. The budget allocated to these institutions is ridiculously low for the expenses required to support so many children.

It is estimated that it costs about 8,000 USD a year to support a child in an orphanage in Tijuana, México.

The number of institutions for shelter unprotected children provided by the government is insufficient, which is why most of the orphanages in Tijuana and throughout Mexico are private institutions. They estimate that almost 80% of orphanages in Mexico are private.

How is living in an orphanage in Tijuana…

The life of the children of the orphanages is a matter of luck. They can fall into a casa hogar where they are cared for and, despite the difficult situation, support their growth and development. In the worst-case scenario, they are victims of abuse, violence, little or no attention, lack of stability, lack of accompaniment and a lot of loneliness.

Orphanages in Mexico need donors and volunteers to survive, to continue supporting children who are the future of society. Fundación Esperanza Contigo supports these institutions and, at the same time, acts as a supervisor, guide, and advisor so that they provide children with the quality of life they deserve. 

The needs of a child: four pillars of health and well-being

Of course, a child has basic needs such as food, clothing, a house with the primary services, education; but there are other needs that, most times, only a family can provide. The psychiatrist Alejandro Morton assures that a child needs to build and maintain four basic pillars in his life:

1. The biological pillar

2. The affective or emotional pillar

3. The cognitive or intellectual pillar

4. The pillar of socialization

It is very difficult for an orphanage in the Mexican system to have the capacity to provide each of the children living under its care with these four pillars. When a child does not have one of them in his life, he is at a complete disadvantage in every way. They will be children who cannot develop to their full potential some essential area of their life: their body, their education, their social relationships. 

Fundación Esperanza Contigo

Fundación Esperanza Contigo covers all the children’s needs. Not only the basic ones such as food and clothing but also provides the necessary tools so that children have the possibility of developing in their adult lives in the best way.

Our Foundation is concerned with providing children with psychological, educational, and emotional support, essential for them to be able to establish bonds and affective relationships like any other child. Besides, we know that the best tool that a child can have to face the future is education. We make sure that the children who live under the care of the orphanages in Tijuana that we work with give the children education enough to get decent work.

How can you help an orphanage in TIjuana?

As we have already mentioned, orphanages are mostly private, independent entities that do not receive any help from government institutions and that subsist solely on the donations they receive.

You can help the children of Tijuana have a better life!

At Fundación Esperanza Contigo we have 4 different aid programs:

- Economic donations

The maintenance of a child is not cheap, we are concerned that his physical development is not affected by any deficiency. As we said, the expenses of a child in an orphanage in Tijuana amount to approximately $ 8,000 annually. With our sponsorship model, both companies and individuals contribute to the development of children in Mexico through monthly financial donations.

- In kind donations

The orphanages take care of many children, so the supplies mean a significant expense. You can help meet the needs of our kids by donating some items they need most, such as food, clothing, school supplies, and personal hygiene items.

- Volunteer network

Our Foundation is concerned with meeting each of the children's needs. Not only the basic ones but those that will allow the little ones to develop in life with their full potential, so we require people who commit to their better development and care. Support children closely by offering your professional skills to the Foundation. Our network of volunteers is made up of multidisciplinary professionals who contribute their knowledge and skills to the development and comprehensive well-being of children.

- Professional practices

What better way to fulfill your university internships or social service than contributing with your learning to the well-being of children in orphanages?

Is contributing to charity in Mexico worthwhile?

Contributing to nonprofit associations is one of the few ways we currently have to build a better society, a place that works for everyone.

Of course, charity is worthwhile!

You just have to make sure that you approach an accountable organization, that is transparent and attacks the source of the problem. That what you donate reaches those who need it and that they make that help pay as much as possible.

Doing charity in Mexico is one of the best ways for your donation to reach as many beneficiaries as possible.The children of the Tijuana orphanages need your help to have the opportunity for a better future. Join us and let’s make it possible!