Casa Del Niños Home

HISTORY

Introduced to the project by friends of Solace, Nate York traveled to Guatemala to visit the area and meet with the local community. Upon arrival, Nate attended a town hall meeting where it was determined that the most pressing need in the area was a home for abandoned or at-risk children. The next step was taken and a plot of land (a functioning small-scale pineapple plantation) was soon purchased for the orphanage. Solace thought this was an ideal site because of the land's agriculture potential.

 

CHILDREN

Casa de Niños (CDN) is currently home to 10 orphans, however we are actively working to recruit 10 more children. Because CDN is the only chidrens home in the region, some of the children have been brought in as far as from 50 km away. Word of mouth has spread, and families that are over burdened (mostly single mothers) come to Solace / CDN for help. In addition, some of the orphans were street children surviving on their own begging from locals for handouts to survive. Once the children arrive they are provided with; a place to sleep, school uniforms, schools supplies, personnel needs, home cooked meals and a medical exam provided by local volunteer doctors.

Since education is the key to survival for most of these orphans, all children are required to attend school, which is located just a few blocks away. If a child is interested in gaining a type of skill such as agriculture, construction, house keeping etc. they are given the opportunity to work with that department to develop their talents and skills.

Local Community

We are truly amazed by the enthusiasm shown by the townspeople of Independencia & Malacatan, S.M. They have been a great help in designing the facility, and several members of the local community have pledged to administer the campus and take care of the orphans.

VOLUNTEERS

Dozens of locals such as doctors, store owners, teachers, & local companies have generously offered their time, labor and monetary contributions to build this project. We have also been fortunate to have amazing U.S. volunteers on the ground to help us oversee the project for months at a time. A big shout out and thank you to Dennis & Janet Adams and Belinda Sukeena - you are Solace rockstars!  

PARTNERSHIPS

Project Seres
A small Australian-based non-profit called Project Seres has generously provided the technical knowledge to Casa del Niño for a permaculture agriculture system. They have also helped implement systems to manage grey water (wash water) and composting toilets. The savings in operational costs and environmental impact will be significant.

FUNDRAISING NEEDS

• Each child costs $45 a month
• 15 children at the home currently, have space for 5 more

INCOME GENERATING PROGRAMS

• Guesthouse hospitality training
• Pineapples from the original plantation
• Chicken farming
• Bakery
• Surplus vegetables from permaculture

Permaculture

Permaculture is an approach to small-scale agricultural systems that mimics the relationships found in natural ecologies, and are grown to complete a full diet given their particular location.

The goal with all agricultural production is to provide at least 50% of all dietary intake for the children on campus.

Chicken farm

A chicken coop has been constructed and stocked with over one dozen birds. The eggs are used onsite for the children and sold in the market. Some chickens are also used as a source of protein.

Plantation crops

These crops are showing a profit now that the first harvest is on going, and are being sold at the market in Malacatan, along with surplus from other agriculture.
Pineapples, plantains, citrus trees, ginger, and bananas

SHOWCASE OF GREEN METHODS IN THE FIELD

Starting with a renovation of an existing farmhouse, the scope of this project is to expand the site into a functioning home for abandoned and the less privileged children in the area. With this and other projects, Solace is applying new green methods of construction, sanitation, water capture, and agriculture.

Besides reducing the carbon impact of new construction, this green development strategy has other benefits including:

• Lower cost per square meter
• Repurposing discarded materials
• A healthy diet for students and staff
• A keen interest in these new methods by local builders and farmers
• A local pride in the positive effects of the campus

Weight-bearing Construction

• Ferro Cement 
• Earth bag construction
• Plastic bottle construction

Water and sanitation

• Aquaculture
• Water harvesting
• Compost toilets