Our Affiliated Site: Hogar Santa Maria in Monterrey, Mexico

 

facts about Hogar Santa Maria:

  • Ages served: Boys and girls aged 3-12 years old
  • Facility description: This well-maintained Home consists of separate dormitories for girls and boys, a dining room, a kitchen, a library, study rooms, a computer lab, bathrooms, and a large courtyard and basketball court for partially indoor recreation.
  • Education: All of the children attend local public schools, where core academic subjects are taught. There are also classrooms at Hogar Santa Maria for after school tutoring and homework support.
  • Academic year: School typically begins in mid-August, and students enjoy summer vacation for two months starting in June. There is also a two-week winter break in December.
  • Nutrition and health: The Home provides nutritious meals each day, and the children’s health is closely monitored.
  • Basic needs: As with all of our affiliated sites, our volunteer coordinators determine the individual needs of each sponsored child, and those basic needs are provided to them on a regular basis. Items include but are not limited to clothing, shoes, food, bedding for the Home, hygiene items, medications, eyeglasses, and school supplies.

Today, Mexico is the world’s tenth most populous nation — and largest Spanish-speaking country by population — with a growing, diversified economy and a relatively stable democratic government. However, despite the country’s wealth of culture, history, natural resources and beauty, many natives and immigrants are plagued by impoverished living conditions. Crime and murder rates in the country are high, and corruption and drug cartel activity are constant sources of concern despite efforts to eliminate them.

The city of Monterrey is no exception to these maladies. Although renowned for its iron and steel production, in addition to glass, furniture, electronic equipment and automobiles, citizens of the city of Monterrey are plagued by high underemployment. Wages are low, and few resources are offered to help impoverished families rise above the difficult socioeconomic circumstances from which they come. Our affiliated site, Hogar Santa Maria, was founded in 1970 to serve as a refuge for children in one of Monterrey’s underserved communities. The Home offers weekday boarding for local boys and girls, and after school programs so that children have a safe and loving environment in which to learn and play while their parents work late in the evenings or at overnight shifts.