ABOUT US - From Fatima Children's Home Directors
Our Mission Protect children whose rights have been violated, provide them with shelter, love and a family environment. |
Our Vision Redefine shelters to go beyond providing material support by hiring professionals who help our children learn social skills, continue their education, regain their confidence and create successful healthy futures. |
Our Values Respect Service Responsibility Humility |
Hogar de Niño's Fátima (Fátima’s Children’s Home) was founded in 2002 and for over 20 years we have provided a home to some of Guatemala’s most vulnerable infants and children. The children in our care have been abused or abandoned or are victims of family disintegration. Our primary mission is to provide our children with love and support in a family setting. We provide shelter, health care, education, nutrition, legal assistance, and psychological support to the children in our care.
Where the children come from
Children between the ages of 0 and 7 who cannot safely remain in their homes or who do not have homes are referred to our Home by the Family Court, the National Adoption Counsel, and the Guatemalan National Prosecutor’s Office. After a child is placed in our Home, that child remains in our care while the Family Court works to resolve the child’s legal situation. Most children are reunified with their parents or other family members. If no suitable family member is found, the child is declared eligible for adoption.
We are not a part of the adoption process, nor do we decide when the biological family is ready to receive their children. Our goal is to ensure that whenever the children leave our Home, whether it is after a few weeks, months, or even years, they are well-prepared for whatever future awaits them.
Our Home
We have space for 45 children and although we only accept new placements up to the age of 7, if a child has already been placed with us and continues to need a place to live, they remain part of our family until the court or the child decides to leave. Our home is built and staffed to provide children of all ages with high levels of specialized care and attention. Many of the children we receive are malnourished and have suffered physical abuse and psychological trauma. We provide all our children with basic necessities, pediatric care, psychological support, and the love of a family.
Financial support
Fatimas does not receive any support from the government and are funded entirely through donations by corporations and individuals, fundraisers, and our sponsorship program. They welcome visitors to come and learn about our project and meet the children. They also welcome both short- and long-term volunteers.
Local contacts in US include Guatemala Aid Fund: www.guatemalaaidfund.org
Where the children come from
Children between the ages of 0 and 7 who cannot safely remain in their homes or who do not have homes are referred to our Home by the Family Court, the National Adoption Counsel, and the Guatemalan National Prosecutor’s Office. After a child is placed in our Home, that child remains in our care while the Family Court works to resolve the child’s legal situation. Most children are reunified with their parents or other family members. If no suitable family member is found, the child is declared eligible for adoption.
We are not a part of the adoption process, nor do we decide when the biological family is ready to receive their children. Our goal is to ensure that whenever the children leave our Home, whether it is after a few weeks, months, or even years, they are well-prepared for whatever future awaits them.
Our Home
We have space for 45 children and although we only accept new placements up to the age of 7, if a child has already been placed with us and continues to need a place to live, they remain part of our family until the court or the child decides to leave. Our home is built and staffed to provide children of all ages with high levels of specialized care and attention. Many of the children we receive are malnourished and have suffered physical abuse and psychological trauma. We provide all our children with basic necessities, pediatric care, psychological support, and the love of a family.
Financial support
Fatimas does not receive any support from the government and are funded entirely through donations by corporations and individuals, fundraisers, and our sponsorship program. They welcome visitors to come and learn about our project and meet the children. They also welcome both short- and long-term volunteers.
Local contacts in US include Guatemala Aid Fund: www.guatemalaaidfund.org
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"Whatever the reason for the infants, children and youth finding themselves without a home, food, education and care, it is clear that they all need consistent loving care, psychological support and life skill training in an environment they can consider home. They all need a continuum of safe care without the fear and consequences of being moved from place to place, or released without proper life skills and support and self worth."
