Mission Statement

MANOS DE AMOR POR BAHIA, A.C.

CASA HOGAR

The association is a nonprofit organization that was born from the desire of a group of citizens of Bucerias to help the less fortunate, especially the children of Bahia de Banderas.  It was formed on April 13, 2004.

The main project of this group is to construct an orphanage/shelter in Bucerias.  This will be the first in this area.  The nearest in Nayarit is in Tepic and those in Puerto Vallarta have their own motives and needs to be addressed.  At this time there is nowhere for the children of the bay who are in need.

The children who will be housed in this Casa Hogar are not necessarily orphans.  They are children whose parents are either unwilling or unable to care for them.  Recently, three children were brought to the house by DIF (the Mexican counterpart of Family Services).  The neighbors had reported the mother for child abuse.  The children were 3, 5 and 7 years old.  The  mother would tie the oldest two to their chairs while she went to work.  The baby brought them food and drink during the day.  We had these three for six weeks, until an uncle took them into his home.  He had not been aware of the conditions in the family home.  This is are not isolated case.  Often an older sibling, a young teenager, is attempting to care for the younger children because the father and mother have died or have abandoned them.  In times past, the family would take these children but in Mexico, as in the United States and Canada, families have scattered across the country.  The older family may still live in Mexico City and the younger ones have moved to this area to work.  So, the family is not here to help even if they are able.  Our hope is to provide these children with food, clothing and shelter, ensure that they attend school and give them a safe haven for as long as necessary.  Hopefully, when the home situation improves, they can return to their families or, in some cases, be placed in adoptive homes.

Ground was broken for the orphanage on January 24, 2008.  The construction is expected to be completed in early June, 2009.  Recently, an "angel" came into our lives in the form of Guadalupe Dipp.  Lupe is an architect and well know local philanthropist.   When she learned that we were running out of money, she volunteered to match the donations we receive and to complete the construction of the orphanage.  With her construction crews and her knowledge, construction is progressing rapidly.   She is also working to get our "donee" status in Mexico which would make all donations tax deductible.

We have recently met with the local Rotary club who, in partnership with a Rotary Club in Invermeer, Canada, and Rotary International, are planning to fund the purchase of our kitchen and laundry equipment for the new home.  We are almost there!!!