Preschool

Preschool Home

The Casa Cuna started in March of 1998 in a rented house, but in the year 2001 we built our own home which has the capacity for 30 children, from 0 months to 6 years of age. In it we have received children as young as 5 days old. They stay in this home until they finish kindergarten and are ready to go into grade one.

Girls	Dulce	Anayeli	Caris	Monserrat	Odalis	Perla	Miriam
	Iridia	Sugey
Boys	Emiliano	Jose A.	J Felipe	Christopher	Beto	Daan Alex	Sergio
	Juan Agus	Angel H.

Christopher A. Dorado de los Santos
March 2nd, 2004 Inicio

Christopher and his older brother Narvick arrived at the children’s home in July 2008. Christopher is in the Casa Cuna and Narvick in the Casa Leonel.

The boys are here because their mother abandoned them and went to live in the United States. Their grandmother was left to care for the boys, and while she was able to get by for a few years, it had become increasingly difficult and she was no longer economically able to support the two little boys.

Christopher adapted very easily to the routine of the home, and readily participates in all the activities. He is a happy boy and is excited to learn about the love of Jesus.

Caris Esperanza Gonzales Anton Inicio
May 30th, 2004

Baby Caris came to us directly from the hospital in June 2004, at just 5 days old. When her mother found out that she was pregnant, she knew she couldn’t care for her and made arrangements to have her adopted. After making that decision, it was discovered that the baby had hydrocephalus, and the prospective adoptive parents didn’t want her either. So, this little angel was abandoned, and the adoption agency came to us for help. Medical tests indicated that Caris’ brain was very underdeveloped because the quantity of liquid in her head had severely limited its growth. Doctors opted for “conservative” treatment, only monitoring her condition and not giving her a life expectancy beyond a year. Her head size increased rapidly, and we sought another medical opinion, and it was decided that Caris needed an operation to insert a shunt to drain the liquid. The Lord brought together a team of volunteer doctors, and the surgery was done at a very minimal cost. Caris is still very young to be able to assess her development, but the doctors who have seen her medical test results are pleasantly surprised at her reflexes and reactions. This little girl may have a long difficult road ahead of her, but we will do our best to see that she doesn’t lack for love and attention. “Caris Esperanza” means grace and hope – our hope is in the Lord, and that by His grace Caris will live a rich, rewarding life.

Dulce Maria Mendoza Chavarria Inicio
October 2005

Dulce Maria and her brother Emiliano came to the Casa Cuna in November 2006, just after her first birthday. The children were apprehended by social services because they were living in an unsafe situation. Their father was in jail and their mother was very poor and couldn’t support them. Their two older twin brothers went to another orphanage, and the two youngest children came to us. It was reported that the mother would often leave the children, aged 4, 2 and 1 alone. When Dulce Maria arrived, she was a little delayed in her physical development, but most likely from lack of stimulation. We believe that with love and nurture she will quickly catch up. She is a precious little girl whose smiles light up a room. We know that Jesus has a wonderful purpose for this little girl’s life.

Emiliano Mendoza Chavarria Inicio
February 2004
Emiliano and his little sister Dulce Maria arrived at the Casa Cuna in November 2006. The children were apprehended by social services because they were living in an unsafe situation. Their father was in jail and their mother was very poor and couldn’t support them. Their two older twin brothers went to another orphanage, and the two youngest children came to us. It was reported that the mother would often leave the children, aged 4, 2 and 1 alone. Emiliano missed his mom at first, but adapted to the home very quickly. Due to lack of education, he has some bad habits to overcome. We believe that as Emiliano receives consistent love and teaching, that he will overcome the difficulties he has experienced in the past. We know that as he learns about the love of Jesus, that there are great things in store for this little boy.

Jose Antonio Ramirez Gonzalez Inicio
January 12, 2003

José Antonio and his sister Claudia arrived at the children’s home in August 2007. Claudia lives in the Casa Matriz, and José Antonio in the Casa Cuna. These children were terribly neglected and we are told that they lived like little animals. The parental rights have been removed from their parents, and it is our prayer that we will be able to find an adoptive home for them. José Antonio needed to be taught some basic life skills that most little boys his age already know, but he was a ready learner and quickly adapted to the home and our expectations of him. He shows gratitude to his caregivers and is an enthusiastic participant in the devotions and other activities that happen in the home every day. We look forward to seeing the Lord’s plans for José Antonio’s future unfold as this little boy puts his trust in Him.

Nohemi Monserrat Gonzalez Inicio
January 23rd, 2004

“Monse” arrived at the Casa Cuna in August 2005, and cried almost non-stop for the first few weeks she was here. Although very petite, she was a great climber and we didn’t have a crib that could contain her, so we finally gave up and put her in a normal bed. She has since settled down and we have discovered how sweet her smile is. Monse was taken away from her mom because her mom’s lifestyle and habits put the little girl in a neglected and potentially dangerous situation. Monse now plays happily with the other children and is always ready to climb up into an empty lap when there is one available. We know that God has a plan and purpose for her life, and we trust that the things of the Lord that she is learning will penetrate deep into her heart and that she will accept Jesus into her heart when she is big enough to understand His love for her.

Odalis Astril Ramirez Muñoz Inicio
October 10th, 2005

Odalis is a little ray of sunshine that arrived at the children’s home in August 2007 along with her brothers Alexis and Gustavo and her sister Mariela. Alexis is in the Casa Matriz and the three younger children in the Casa Cuna. Both of their parents are in prison, and the children were living with relatives, but Social Services apprehended the kids because they were being neglected and spent all their time in the streets. Odalis is a happy little girl who likes to play with the other children. It is possible that she suffers some physical abnormalities because of her mother’s substance abuse during the pregnancy. We know that Jesus has a bright future for this little girl as she learns to love and trust him.

Roberto Avillaneda Gomez Inicio
June 7th, 2004

“Beto” as we affectionately call him and his sisters Alejandra and Angela, arrived at the children’s home in August 2006. He and Alejandra were placed in the Casa Cuna, and Angela in the Casa Matriz. The children came from the adjacent State of Michoacan. They had been living there with their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. What little money the mother was able to earn picking limes was no where near sufficient to support everyone. The children were neglected while she was at work, and she feared for their lives as they lived near a highway. No one in the family was literate, and while Angela was of school age, she had never been enrolled in classes – which would have probably been the fate of both Roberto and Alejandra as well, had the children been left in their situation. Beto has quickly adapted to the home and made friends with the other little girls and boys. He had some behaviors that were disagreeable when he first came, but is leaving them behind. His nature is very easy going and he is usually obedient. Beto is learning songs about Jesus and we trust that as his understanding grows he will accept Jesus into his life.

DAAN ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ PEREZ

January 13^th, 2006 Inicio

“Alex” and his little sister Caty arrived at the children’s home in January 2009. They had previously been living with their single mother, but she had come to the point where she realized that her life was going nowhere, and she had nothing to offer to her children. Having had previously spent time in “Hogar Belen”, our women’s training center, she knew where to go to find help. The children’s mother checked herself into the center, and we received the children at the Casa Cuna – our home for preschoolers.

Alex enjoyed the children and the toys when he first arrived, but it was obvious that he was missing his mom. He would cry a lot during and after her weekly visit. However, after a few weeks, he adapted to the home and now enjoys the activities and routine of the home. It is our hope that as Alex’s mom gets her life in order that this family may one day be reunited under the covering of the children’s home, and that together they would serve the Lord.

JUAN AGUSTIN DE JESUS SANCHEZ

March 3^rd, 2004 Inicio

Juan arrived at the Casa Cuna in September 2009 along with his little brother Angel. Their older sisters, Azucena and Margarita, are living in the Casa Matriz.

Juan is with us because his mom just couldn’t keep on with things the way they were. She is a single mom who receives no help from the children’s fathers. She works two jobs to try to make ends meet, but that means leaving the children alone for long periods of time to care for each other. It was an unsafe situation, so we agreed to receive the children in order that they would have a safe place to live.

Juan is an active boy whose enthusiasm and curiosity sometimes gets him into trouble! He has learned to adapt to the routine of the home and we know that as he learns about and accepts the love of Jesus, that Jesus will make a difference in his life.

ANGEL HUMBERTO URIBE SANCHEZ Inicio
OCTUBER 04, 2007

“Angelito” arrived at the children’s home in September 2009 along with his older brother and sisters. He lives in the Casa Cuna with his brother Juan, and his two older sisters, Azucena and Margarita, live in the Casa Matriz.

The children are with us because their mom is a single mom who receives no help from the children’s fathers. She works two jobs to try to make ends meet, but that means leaving the children alone for long periods of time to care for each other. It was an unsafe situation, so we agreed to receive the children in order that they would have a safe place to live.

The adjustment to the home was difficult for Angelito and he cried a lot. He has now adapted to the home and we catch him smiling from time to time. We believe God has a purpose in Angel’s life and we trust that as he learns about the love of Jesus, that Angel will open his heart and receive all that Jesus has for him.

PERLA CATALINA MENDEZ RODRIGUEZ Inicio
AUGUST 20, 2007

“Caty” and her older brother Alex arrived at the children’s home in January 2009. They are both living in the Casa Cuna – our home for preschoolers. They had previously been living with their single mother, but she had come to the point where she realized that her life was going nowhere, and she had nothing to offer to her children. Having had previously spent time in “Hogar Belen”, our women’s training center, she knew where to go to find help. The children’s mother checked herself into the center, and we received the children.

Caty adapted to the children’s home very quickly. It didn’t take her long to make friends with the other children, and she readily accepted the love offered to her by the workers. It is our hope that as Caty’s mom gets her life in order that this family may one day be reunited under the covering of the children’s home, and that together they would serve the Lord

IRIDIA PEREZ ORTIZ

June 24th, 2005 Inicio

Iridia arrived at the children`s home in October 2009 along with her older sister Sugey. Both girls were placed in the preschool home.

The girls are with us because they were abandoned by their mother and left at another orphanage. They were later removed from the orphanage and left with two different families, but suffered neglect and abuse. Their grandmother eventually found out where they were and took them home to live with her. Iridia was lacking social skills and didn`t even respond to her own name. The grandmother tried to do what she could to raise the two little girls, but had to work from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the person that she trusted to care for the girls while she was working also mistreated them. The grandmother approached us for help, desperate to find a safe solution for her granddaughters.

Iridia is full of energy and at times finds herself in trouble. She quickly adapted to the home and we know that as she learns about the love of Jesus, that He can make a difference in her life.

ANAYELI ESTRADA AVALOS
November 1^st, 2006 Inicio

Anayeli

Anayeli is the youngest of four children who were apprehended by Social Services and brought to the home in July 2008. Her older brother and sister, Enrique and Luz Elena live in the Casa Matriz, and Anayeli and Miriam are next door in the Casa Cuna.

The neighbors were the ones to report the unsafe situation the children were living in. There was drug addiction and violence in the family home and the father has since been sent to prison, and the mother is in our women’s formation home, “Hogar Belen”.

Anayeli was delayed in her physical and mental development when she arrived. We have been patiently teaching her and providing physiotherapy for her, and she is regaining lost time by leaps and bounds. She is a little timid, and it takes awhile to find one of her smiles, but when they do appear, they light up her whole face. We know that the Lord rescued these children, and we are happy to fill their lives with love.

MIRIAM GUADALUPE ESTRADA AVALOS
January 12^th, 2004 Inicio

arrived at the children’s home in July 2008 along with two sisters and one brother. The older children, Enrique and Luz Elena, are in the Casa Matriz, and Miriam and her younger sister Anayeli are next door in the Casa Cuna.

The situation the children were living in was reported by neighbors, and Social Services stepped in and apprehended them from their parents’ care. There was drug addiction and violence in the family home and the father has since been sent to prison, and the mother is in our women’s formation home, “Hogar Belen”.

Miriam is a happy girl with a bright smile. She has thrived in a loving, consistent environment and loves to play with the other children in the home. She loves to go to school and is obedient to her teacher. We know that Miriam isn’t here by accident, and that God has a special plan for her life.

JOSE FELIPE GARCIA TORRES
September 7, 2004 Inicio

Felipe originally came to live in the Casa Cuna in April 2005. He was sent to us along with his 5 siblings by Social Services because there was great need in their family. They had been living with their parents, but the parents were encouraging their children to participate in high-risk activities, and were incapable of caring for them. It was, if fact, a dangerous situation and the children were removed from the family home for their own safety.

Eventually a judge ruled that the children were allowed to return to the family home.

After a period of about a year, we were again approached by Social Service to take Felipe in, as he had received a severe beating and there was concern for his safety and well-being.

From the moment he arrived, Felipe once again adapted to the home and we enjoy his smiles and the opportunity to teach him about Jesus.

Sergio Fernando Rodríguez Ramírez

April 21st, 2006 Inicio

Sergio

Sergio came to the Casa Cuna in November 2006 at the age of 6 months old. We were approached to take Sergio in because his father was about to leave for the United States and his mom was unable to get a job that would provide for him.

Sergio had a bit of difficulty adjusting to the routine of the home, but has now come to enjoy the daily activities and being with the other children. He is intelligent and curious about the world around him. He is a smiley little guy and we look forward to being able to introduce him to the love of Jesus when he is older.

SUGEY MONSERRAT PEREZ ORTIZ

January 10th, 2004 Inicio

Sugey and her younger sister Iridia arrived at the Casa Cuna in October 2009.

The girls are with us because they were abandoned by their mother and left at another orphanage. They were later removed from the orphanage and left with two different families, but suffered neglect and abuse. Their grandmother eventually found out where they were and took them home to live with her. Sugey was malnourished and her health was fragile. The grandmother tried to do what she could to raise the two little girls, but had to work from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the person that she trusted to care for the girls while she was working also mistreated them. The grandmother approached us for help, desperate to find a safe solution for her granddaughters.

Sugey is a bright girl who readily responds to the love that is shown her in the home. We know that Jesus can take away all the hurts of the past as she makes room for Him in her heart.