Orphanage Partnership

Casa Bernabé is a beautiful 13-acre campus located just outside of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Home to over 160 children who have been abused, neglected, abandoned, or orphaned, Casa Bernabé provides a safe refuge where healing and healthy development can occur. With a dedicated staff of Guatemalans and Americans who tirelessly work on behalf of the children – loving them, playing with them, teaching them, and advocating on their behalf in the judicial system – Casa Bernabé creates opportunities for these children that would otherwise be entirely impossible.

These opportunities, however, rarely come without a price, and though Casa Bernabé has established a stable network of financial support and sponsorship and wisely uses the donated funds there are still many expenses that simply cannot be covered adequately. For instance, if a child experiences a medical emergency Casa Bernabé has to take money from a separate budget in order to pay the costs of professional medical care. It is the unfortunate reality that Casa Bernabé cannot afford to maintain a sufficient “emergency fund” as there are always immediate needs (food, education, utilities) that must be met. This is where Firmly Planted, Inc. steps in. It is our desire and privilege to offer Casa Bernabé the comfort of knowing that unexpected costs and good healthcare will not force them to cut important parts of other budgets by setting up an emergency medical fund.

 

The other area to which we offer specific assistance is the celebration of the children’s birthdays. Though many of the children have sponsors who will plan something for them, many other children are not so fortunate. So why do we make it a priority to give each child something so frivolous as their own birthday party? For a young girl who grew up abused or abandoned, who has been told since she was born that she is worthless and unwanted, and who may not know she even has a birthday, to have a time where everyone gathers together and celebrates her life with games, cake, and ice cream can be an incredibly powerful, positive event. The staff at Casa Bernabé goes out of its way to make each and every child feel special, loved, and appreciated, and Firmly Planted, Inc. helps them fulfill that passion.

Your generous donations mean so much, both to us here at Firmly Planted, Inc. and to the remarkable men, women, and children at Casa Bernabé. With your help Casa Bernabé can continue to be a place where these beautiful children receive the love and care they need and deserve.