THE CHILDREN
[ reason for stay | length of stay ]
Pure, unspoiled religion, in the eyes of God the Father, is this: Coming to the help of orphans and widows in their hardships, and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
James 1:27
HOW LONG CHILDREN STAY IN ORPHANAGE
The length of a child's stay at an orphanage is often a function of the reason they are there in the first place. If they are there due to a dysfunctional family, and if the family demonstrates renewed responsibility, the children will be returned home. If they are separated from their family during immigration to the U.S., they may be there for many years.
Casa de Elizabeth is designed as a "long term" or semi-permanent home for children where they are likely to stay until they reach "majority." "Majority", in this case, has significance.
When a child attains 12 years of age in Mexico they are, legally, no longer wards of the state. At the ripe age of 12 most orphanages simply turn the kids out on the street, especially since state funding stops at that age.
Orphanages we work with do not believe 12 year olds are ready to fend for themselves in a difficult world. To give the children a better chance at life, "agreements" are often reached with children 12 and older.
If the 12 and older children follow the rules and continue to diligently pursue their education, they are allowed to stay until they finish high school. Thanks to this generous policy, there are now many families of Casa de Elizabeth alumni in Northern Sonora who finished high school and have become solid members of the community, many of whom are now raising their own families in a traditional home environment. In fact, two of the teachers at Casa de Elizabeth's private elementary school grew up at this orphanage, received scholarships to the state university in Hermosillo where they earned their teaching degree, and have returned now to teach at the orphanage.
© 2009 Proyecto Compasión.