Guatemala

Dan York, brother to Nate York, visited the area in the summer of 2008 through his organization First Cause [link to partners page], and discussed the issue of abandoned children with the pastors of the church Cristo Vive. Plans were made to begin building the home and Dan contacted Nate to help plan the project. Solace and First Cause purchased the property of a former pineapple plantation in La Muralla, Katarina in San Marcos.

The Guatemala province of San Marcos (referred to as a "department") is an illegal immigration and drug superhighway. It borders the Mexican state of Chiapas to the north. Its mountainous coastline provides excellent cover for people wanting to avoid the eyes of Mexican officials.

Travelers trying to illegally cross into Mexico from Guatemala need to move quickly and at a moment's notice; children are a burden. Many parents abandon their children before the last push across the border. This has created a fast-growing population of orphaned children in the department of San Marcos.

Solace International is working with the village of Independencia (pop. 600) to create a safe home for 16 abandoned and less privileged children in general. The home is called the Dorothy Byrne Casa del Niños [link to the project page] and is outside the town of Malacatan, 30 km. from the border. The local village group has welcomed both the children and Solace's help.