Casa Hogar (a term in Spanish for a foster home) Los Angelitos' is out to set and raise the standards of orphan child care throughout Mexico, and they plan to do it with faith, hope and love. 

At left, Rosa and Sunny (the author's poodle), become friends.

Since its inception, Casa Hogar has been granted miracles and setbacks. 

Successful fundraisers were held. Land was purchased for an orphanage. Another tract of adjoining land was donated. A local architect drew up plans for the orphanage. 

Funds were being raised for the building materials. People were going to donate their time when the land became ready to build upon. 

Then the government decided it was going to put a drainage ditch through both properties, and other properties adjoining the site. They purchased the land from Los Angelitos, installed the drainage ditch, but Los Angelitos is still waiting to be paid by the government for the land. 

All other property owners have been paid... Los Angelitos' is still waiting. It's been 6 years.

Meanwhile, another piece of land was donated, but it has a big hole that cannot be filled, and is unusable.

Finally, several years ago, the "little angels" prayers were answered, and the foundation was able to purchase a new "Casa." Of course, it isn't really new, and there's still work to be done to remodel it, but the 30+ children have a safe and secure home, with plenty of room to play, do their homework, watch TV, have 3 meals a day--all the things every child should have.

On a recent picnic at the El Salto waterfalls, Manzanillo resident and volunteer Ginny Ruiz plays "War" with the youngest girls, Selene and Bertha.

Ginny and husband Ruben prepare picnic lunches for the children and volunteers.

José, age 9, clowns around in the children's pool, at El Salto National Park.

After the picnic and pool play, house mother Alejandra helps the girls with their hair. Annay (pictured) wants to be pretty for the final group photo.

For more photos of the children at Los Angelitos', click here.

The 2-story home is clean and cool, and well-managed by three sets of wonderful houseparents. The downstairs has the kitchen, and dining/living area, and the boys rooms. Upstairs, there are bedrooms, where each girl has her own bed and space to keep personal effects and hang clothes.

Casa Hogar Los Angelitos also had a "Soup Kitchen" which served free lunches to any child in the neighborhood who was hungry, whether or not they were in the foster care program. It has been closed down due to lack of funding and volunteers. They are struggling to get the funding to open it again.

One of the biggest miracles and tragedies of Los Angelitos' was the campaign to help one girl, Yanira, who had leukemia. She was with Los Angelitos' for almost 5 years, but unfortunately, they lost her at age 16, before she could get a desperately-needed bone marrow transplant. 

Lupita Carbajal, administrator, cries when she relates the story of beautiful Yanira:

Various fund-raisers were held in Manzanillo and Colorado to help Los Angelitos' put together the money for the testing and studies that have to be done in order to do a transplant.  The father was located, and he volunteered to be the donor. 

The money for the transplant was raised and was given to the hospital in Mexico City a year-and-a-half in advance. As Yanira had numerous setbacks and and equal number of remissions, Nancy and the others at Los Angelitos'  fought with the doctors who were in charge of Yanira's case. The physicians said it was too soon; she was too weak. They stalled--they wanted to be 100% certain the transplant would succeed.

 On and on the list of excuses went, and through it all, Yanira remained cheerful and hopeful. Sadly, time ran out, and she died several months ago. For some at Los Angelitos', it is too soon to talk about it without tears, but everyone who knew Yanira will never forget the courage of this one young girl who never had a chance to live a full life.

Though it is too late to help Yanira, you can help make life better for many others. Yanira, the newest little angel, is serving as an inspiration to the people involved with Los Angelitos'.

For additional information regarding the Casa Hogar Los Angelitos children's home and The Children's Foundation go to their web site at   www.childrensfoundationinc.com