Casa Para Ninos : Dormitories

	Our campus has grown from a couple of small houses with only a few children to two adjoining properties with eleven dormitories, housing 357 children. We have been blessed not only with donated materials but thousands of volunteers, resulting in several large dormitories that house the majority of our children. The house parents oversee all the things a parent usually does – multiplied many times over. Imagine homework time, tracking down a missing shoe, laundry, bath time and making sure the lights are out on time. Each dorm is designed to provide a ‘home’ for the children, complete with living area for television, Nintendo, Barbies or homework.

Our most active and labor intensive dorm, Los Angelitos (The Little Angels) is home to 52 babies, tots and tikes – newborn to 6 years old. The covered atrium is full of brightly colored climbing, sliding, riding, sailing and swinging toys where laughing children can always be found.

Lovingly known as ‘Barney’ for many years, this dorm was officially named ‘The Blessings’ in early 2008. Best remembered for its classic purple paint job and graceful circular staircase, this dorm houses 12 young women who are in high school or studying at the University level.

A newer addition to our fleet of dorms, Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd) was completed in May 2002. This dorm houses 37 young men, aged 13 through 19, and is outfitted with a computer room, pool table and weight room.

Doncellas de Christo (Women of God), once a dorm for teenage boys, was refurbished in 2002 for our teen girls that are in junior high through high school. There are 45 young ladies, aged 13 through 20, living in this dorm.

La Esperanza (The Hope) started out long ago as a small, one-storied building that housed the original kitchen for the home. The building has grown much larger over time. It is now actually two separate dorms within one building. Upstairs live 34 girls aged 9 through 14; downstairs are 25 girls aged 13 through 18. All of the children in La Esperanza are in elementary grades.

A second generation dorm, Las Estrellitas (The Little Stars) once housed our older teenage girls. Like La Esperanza, it too, is actually two separate dorms. Upstairs is home to 22 energetic girls and downstairs are 20 playful boys.

Nestled snugly behind Doncellas, this home was originally planned for use by longer term volunteers. As the 2008 school year approached and construction was completed, it was discovered that there were enough young women attending University to fill it. Thus, The Mercy House came to be. There are 7 young women living independently in this house with their sights set on a bright future.

El Puente (The Bridge) is the final home for young men at Casa Aleluya before heading out to find work and build a family of their own. It was completed in March 2007 and houses 12 young men who are pursuing university degrees.

As our children grow and continue further in their education, the need to house them appropriately by age, gender and education becomes more of a challenge. This new house was constructed in 2007 and 19 high school girls moved in January 2008. Outfitted with a kitchen and laundry room, Rosas de Saron (Roses of Sharon) provides the girls a bit of flexibility while also teaching responsibility.

Completed in March 2003, Los Arcangeles was actually built as a second floor addition to one wing of the existing elementary school. It is home to 14 young men who are studying at the high school level.

The older twin to Buen Pastor, Vencedores (The Victors) came alive in July, 2001. To address the challenge of raising 39 rambunctious boys, aged 8 through 13, the dorm is highly structured – both in terms of physical design and activity. This dorm is blessed with a monster screen TV, surround sound and a video collection that rivals any video rental store.