San Juan Cosala Orphanage: Ninos y Jovenes

San Juan Cosala has an orphanage which has been in existence for many years. In the recent waterspout storm, it took on a lot of mud and the -- about 140 of them, boys and girls both -- were evacuated for a while to the nearby larger town of Jocotepec. I understand that they are now all back. Mexican children are sometimes in orphanages even when one or both parents are alive, if the family is desperately poor or other circumstances mean that they can't provide the basics for the kids.

There was already foreign involvement in this place, typically just called "the orphanage," and there may well be more as a result of more of us learning about it from the recent events. This would be a very good outcome, as things are minimal there.

We live a few blocks from it, and Kelly took the picture above a couple of days after the storm. No damage shows, but the side towards the mountains was very muddy.

Concerned foreigners have started a website about the orphanage, with information and various ways (including PayPal) that you can donate. It's a great cause.

The orphanage was started by a much-loved priest here in San Juan Cosala, Father Beto or Father Macias, and he is still very much involved, along with other staff.

Visit the website: http://ninosjovenes.dojiggy.com/