On Sunday, October 21, the volunteer program at Hogar de Esperanza experienced a sad and traumatic event. Robbers broke into the home and stole the personal belongings of the volunteers as well as goods from the orphanage itself. The gravity of the situation has required the board of directors to make many difficult decisions, the first being the closure of the volunteer program at Hogar de Esperanza. We will no longer be accepting volunteers. The safety of those willing to come and to serve our children, and the safety of the children themselves, is our first priority. In light of the manner of this attack, we no longer feel that we can provide our volunteers with protection within our walls.
We are all deeply saddened by the events and the need to end such a wonderful program. We’d like to take this moment to say thank you to each and every one of our volunteers – long term, short term and group members. Your willingness to serve and your sacrificial giving have made deep impacts in the lives of our children. Hogar de Esperanza would not be the same place without your participation in the care of our children, and the influence and energy of the volunteers will be sorely missed.
We ask for your continued prayers as the board of directors continues to make decisions to ensure the highest quality of care and safety for the children.
