Abandoned Children at Mi Casita
Jessica and some of the children
A recently published report by the Joint Council on International Children’s Services revealed that one child is abandoned in Guatemala every four days – and over three quarters of them are newborn babies. Families in Guatemala abandon their children because they feel they have no other option. Poverty and large family sizes are the main reasons that families abandoned their children. They simply cannot care for them. Other children are abandoned because they are physically disabled and a shame to their families.
The New York Times on March 8th, 2017 reported the following: "Guatemala holds the dubious distinction of having Latin America's highest malnutrition rates. The nation is plagued by crime, violence, corruption, and poverty, and its public institutions bear the scars of that heritage."
Listen to these heart wrenching stories from Guatemala.
The New York Times on March 8th, 2017 reported the following: "Guatemala holds the dubious distinction of having Latin America's highest malnutrition rates. The nation is plagued by crime, violence, corruption, and poverty, and its public institutions bear the scars of that heritage."
Listen to these heart wrenching stories from Guatemala.
- On February 18, the news reported that so far for the month (18 days) 66 children had been abandoned;
- In one county alone, the news reported a few weeks ago that 3 babies were found in one day, all dumped on a rubbish heap;
- Recently 4 severely malnourished siblings were found abandoned in a house in Guatemala City. The youngest, a three month old, appeared dead. Currently, no one has claimed the hospitalized children; and
- A newborn baby was found dead in a toilet of a fast food restaurant.
There are at least 3000 children born each year in Guatemala with either cleft lip and/or palates. Mi Casita provides aloving home for these children who are abandon whereas Tess Unlimited, a foundation from the Netherlands will provide the reconstructive surgeries that these children need.
Pictured is a six month old abandoned baby boy with bilateral cleft lip and a cleft palate. He is currently residing in the pediatric ward for malnourished children in a hospital in Antigua. In this ward, he is one of 18 children who are there because they are severely malnourished. Wilmer was born to a 16 year old mother who was raped by her father. Wilmer is currently 8 lbs. 11 oz. He is not eligible for reconstructive surgery until he is up to 10 lbs. In the meantime, he waits in the hospital ward. He is trying to sit, smile, and coo. Mi Casita’s home is the ideal place for him now while he gains weight for his surgery and for loving care after his surgery!
Pictured is a six month old abandoned baby boy with bilateral cleft lip and a cleft palate. He is currently residing in the pediatric ward for malnourished children in a hospital in Antigua. In this ward, he is one of 18 children who are there because they are severely malnourished. Wilmer was born to a 16 year old mother who was raped by her father. Wilmer is currently 8 lbs. 11 oz. He is not eligible for reconstructive surgery until he is up to 10 lbs. In the meantime, he waits in the hospital ward. He is trying to sit, smile, and coo. Mi Casita’s home is the ideal place for him now while he gains weight for his surgery and for loving care after his surgery!