Granja Hogar de Los Ninos
Encouraging self esteem and the importance of education, the Granja Hogar boarding school was opened in 1956 to support abandoned children from poor or orphaned families. With a staff of 44 teachers and volunteers the Granja Hogar currently is home to 150 students. Teaching the pillars of becoming a strong individual who can make a positive impact in the world, the school also focuses on life skills.
Students are involved in many activities outside of academics. Granja Hogar has a full greenhouse with hydroponics, walnut trees and olive groves for processing, a livestock farm and a dehydration and canning room for their olives and tomatoes.
The vast majority of the students at the Granja Hogar are Raramuri, or Tarahumara, the indigenous people of Northern Mexico. The Tarahumara people are declining in population with less than 70,000 remaining. Cultural preservation is a pillar of education at the Granja Hogar.
Granja Hogar is a great place of hope preparing the children for success in their futures. The Collette Foundation has supported Granja Hogar for 3 years – funding a mathmatics program, purchasing new uniforms for the students, as well as renovation projects such as new lockers for the dorm rooms and new dining room furniture.
If you are visiting the Granja Hogar please note that the Collette Foundation does not accept in kind donations. However, if you’d like to bring items directly to Granja Hogar we have some suggestions:
- crayons
- pens/pencils
- band aids
- anti-lice shampoo
- children’s shampoo
- children’s vitamins
- pony tail elastics
- iron tablets