About the Child Sponsorship Program
1. What is SponsorAChildMexico.org?
SponsorAChildMexico.org is an initiative that connects people who want to sponsor a child in Mexico with the children of Casa Hogar Alegre, a children’s home in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.
Three organizations work together to make the program possible, each contributing something essential.
Casa Hogar Alegre is the children’s home. Elizabeth Castelazo—known as Mama Liz—founded it in Tuxtla Gutiérrez in 1993. Today, her daughter Merari helps manage Casa Hogar and continue the work her mother began.
Baja Bound Ministries is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993. It receives sponsorship donations in the United States, issues tax-deductible receipts, and sends the funds to Casa Hogar Alegre.
Valley Christian Schools, through its Business, Entrepreneurship & Innovation (BEI) program, helped create the sponsorship initiative. Valley Christian students have also traveled to Chiapas on service trips to work alongside Casa Hogar Alegre.
The program was created because Casa Hogar Alegre had operated for more than three decades largely through donations and relationships built by word of mouth. At the same time, people in the United States who wanted to provide consistent support needed a simple way to give regularly and receive a U.S. tax-deductible receipt.
2. Does my $45 go directly to the child I sponsor?
Your $45 monthly sponsorship supports the care of all the children at Casa Hogar Alegre, rather than being placed into an individual account for one child.
This is intentional. The children share the same home, meals, teachers, caregivers, medical and psychological services, transportation, utilities, educational programs, and activities.
Your sponsorship creates a personal connection with one child while joining other sponsors to provide consistent care and opportunities for the entire Casa Hogar family.
3. Am I the only person sponsoring this child?
No. A child may have more than one sponsor.
The $45 monthly sponsorship does not represent the full cost of caring for one child. Sponsorship contributions are combined to help provide housing, food, education, caregivers, health services, activities, and opportunities for all the children at Casa Hogar Alegre.
4. What happens when a child turns eighteen?
Turning 18 does not automatically mean losing the support and stability of Casa Hogar Alegre.
Young adults who want to continue their education—whether at a university, trade school, or technical program—may continue living at Casa Hogar as long as they follow the home’s rules and remain committed to their development.
The same can apply to a young adult who has started working and is saving and preparing to live independently.
For example, Ingrid is currently in her eighth semester of nursing school and still lives at Casa Hogar while completing her education.
Our goal is to help young adults become prepared for independence—not simply send them away when they turn 18.
5. Are all the children at Casa Hogar Alegre orphans?
No. Most are not.
Many of the children have living parents or relatives but cannot safely remain with them because of abuse, neglect, abandonment, family crisis, or other circumstances that require protection.
Children may be referred to Casa Hogar Alegre through state DIF, municipal DIF agencies, child-protection and justice authorities. In some circumstances, mothers or other family members may also seek support when they are unable to provide the safe and stable environment their children need.
DIF—the Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia—is part of Mexico’s public social-assistance and child-protection system.
About Casa Hogar Alegre, a Children’s Home in Chiapas, Mexico
6. What is a “casa hogar” in Mexico?
Casa hogar is a common Mexican term for a residential children’s home.
Casa Hogar Alegre operates within Mexico’s child-protection system as a Centro de Asistencia Social (CAS), or Social Assistance Center.
The word hogar—home—is important to us. Casa Hogar Alegre is not simply a place where children receive shelter. It is where they live, learn, eat together, build relationships, develop their abilities, and prepare for their future.
Although people outside Mexico may use the word orphanage when searching for this type of organization, most of the children living in a casa hogar are not necessarily orphans.
7. Do the children at Casa Hogar Alegre go to school?
Yes.
Casa Hogar Alegre provides education on campus from maternal through high school (preparatoria), allowing children to learn in a stable environment without having to leave the home for their regular schooling.
Education goes beyond core academics. Depending on age and program, children also receive opportunities in areas such as English, mathematics, reading, technology and vocational skills, sports, and Christian formation.
Young adults who continue into trade school, technical education, or university study off campus and may continue living at Casa Hogar while completing their education.
How to Sponsor a Child in Mexico
8. How do I sponsor a child in Mexico?
Choose a child from the profiles on this site and begin a recurring donation of $45 per month.
Your donation is processed in the United States through Baja Bound Ministries and sent to support the ongoing care, education, and programs at Casa Hogar Alegre.
9. How much does it cost to sponsor a child in Mexico?
The suggested child sponsorship amount at Casa Hogar Alegre is $45 USD per month.
You may also sponsor more than one child.
10. What does $45 a month provide?
Your sponsorship joins other donations to help provide the things the children at Casa Hogar Alegre need every day, including:
- Three meals a day, plus a snack during school hours
- A safe place to live
- Education from maternal through high school
- Teachers and educational materials
- Caregivers, cooks, and support staff
- Medical care and psychological support
- Clothing and shoes
- English, sports, technology, and skills-development opportunities
- Transportation
- Recreational and educational activities
Your $45 is not restricted to purchasing one specific item or service for one child. It becomes part of the resources that make the child’s entire environment of care possible.
11. Can I choose which child I sponsor?
Yes.
Each child available for sponsorship has a profile with age-appropriate information about their interests, hobbies, personality, and hopes for the future.
Choose the child whose story connects with you. You can also sponsor more than one child.
12. Can I make a one-time donation instead of sponsoring a child?
Yes.
While $45 per month is the suggested amount for sponsoring a child, you can choose to give less or more each month or make a one-time donation in any amount.
Every contribution helps Casa Hogar Alegre provide care, education, and opportunities for the children.
13. How do I change or cancel my sponsorship?
You can change or cancel your recurring sponsorship by contacting Baja Bound Ministries at nsoares@bajabound.org.
Their team will be happy to help you through the process.
Where Your Child Sponsorship Money Goes
14. How much of my donation reaches Casa Hogar Alegre?
Baja Bound Ministries takes no commission and no administrative fee. Nothing is deducted for overhead.
What is deducted is the cost of moving the money, charged by the companies that process the payment:
- Stripe, the card processor — 2.2% + $0.30 per donation
- Donorbox, the donation platform — 2.95%
That comes to about 6%. Baja Bound passes on everything that is left, in full.
15. Is my donation tax-deductible in the United States?
Yes. Donations are received by Baja Bound Ministries, Inc., a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 33-0775616.
Your donation receipt is sent electronically. If you need assistance with a receipt, contact nsoares@bajabound.org.
News, Letters, and Gifts for Your Sponsored Child
16. Will I receive updates after I sponsor a child?
Yes. Once we receive your email through the donation form, you will receive Casa Hogar Alegre’s monthly newsletter.
The newsletter shares updates about life at Casa Hogar, the children’s activities, educational programs, projects, special events, and what is happening throughout the home.
It is one of the ways we help sponsors stay connected with the life, progress, and work of Casa Hogar Alegre throughout the year.
17. Can I write to the child I sponsor?
Yes.
Letters can be mailed to:
Casa Hogar Alegre
Marcelino Álvarez 450
Col. Rivera Cerro Hueco
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas 29094
Mexico
Because international mail can sometimes take time, you may also contact us at contact@alegrecasahogar.org for guidance.
For the children’s privacy and protection, correspondence is coordinated through Casa Hogar Alegre rather than through children’s personal contact information.
18. Can I send a gift to my sponsored child?
Yes, but we encourage gifts that build a skill, create an experience, or can be shared.
Books, coloring books, art supplies, board games, balls, sports equipment, and educational activities are all good options.
Casa Hogar Alegre is a shared home, so gifts that can involve other children generally work better than expensive toys or items intended for only one child.
Packages may be sent to:
Casa Hogar Alegre
Marcelino Álvarez 450
Col. Rivera Cerro Hueco
Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas 29094
Mexico
19. What is the Broken Rib Coffee welcome gift?
Broken Rib Coffee is a partner of the sponsorship program.
New sponsors receive a welcome gift from Broken Rib Coffee and a discount on coffee purchased through their website.
It is another way our partners help welcome new sponsors into the Casa Hogar Alegre community.
Visiting Casa Hogar Alegre: Sponsors, Families, Churches, and Schools
20. Can I visit the child I sponsor?
Yes.
Sponsors may arrange a visit to Casa Hogar Alegre and have the opportunity to meet the child they support, subject to Casa Hogar’s visitor and child-protection procedures.
Families have visited Casa Hogar together, and some of the strongest connections with our children have grown from spending time together in person.
Before making travel arrangements, write to contact@alegrecasahogar.org so we can coordinate your visit.
21. Can my church or school bring a mission or service group?
Yes.
Casa Hogar Alegre regularly welcomes groups from churches and schools. Depending on the group’s skills and Casa Hogar’s needs at the time, activities may include:
- Spending time with the children
- English practice and tutoring
- Sports and team-building activities
- Arts and crafts
- Painting and maintenance
- Light construction and facility improvements
- Medical or dental service
- Educational and recreational activities
Casa Hogar Alegre does not operate as a travel agency, but we can help coordinate what your group does while you are here.
If you have children attending Valley Christian Schools, ask about their service opportunities in Chiapas through VCS.
Groups looking for an experienced organization to help organize a mission trip can also contact Baja Bound Ministries at nsoares@bajabound.org.
22. Is there a minimum age for visitors?
There is no general minimum age for family visits. Families have visited Casa Hogar Alegre with children of many different ages, including very young children.
Schools also bring high-school students accompanied by teachers and adult leaders.
Because activities and supervision requirements vary depending on the group, families traveling with younger children should contact Casa Hogar before their visit so we can help plan age-appropriate activities.
23. How do I get to Casa Hogar Alegre in Chiapas?
Visitors fly into Tuxtla Gutiérrez International Airport (TGZ).
Two common routes from the United States are:
- From Southern California: cross into Tijuana using the Cross Border Xpress (CBX) and fly from Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tuxtla Gutiérrez (TGZ).
- From elsewhere in the United States: connect through Mexico, with Mexico City (MEX) and Cancún (CUN) being two of the most common connecting airports for travel to Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Groups should contact Casa Hogar before booking so we can help coordinate arrival and local transportation.
24. Do I need a passport to visit Chiapas from the United States?
Yes. U.S. travelers need a valid passport to enter Mexico and should comply with Mexico’s current immigration and entry requirements.
Because travel requirements can change, always verify current requirements before your trip.
25. Is it safe to visit Casa Hogar Alegre and Chiapas?
Churches, schools, mission teams, sponsors, and families—including families with young children—have been visiting Casa Hogar Alegre for years.
As with any international travel, conditions can change. We encourage visitors to review current travel information and coordinate accommodations, transportation, and activities with Casa Hogar Alegre or their trip organizer.
Write to contact@alegrecasahogar.org, and we can help you understand what to expect during your visit.
Contact Casa Hogar Alegre
26. Still have questions about sponsoring a child in Mexico?
We would love to hear from you.
Write to contact@alegrecasahogar.org with questions about sponsoring a child, Casa Hogar Alegre, visiting Chiapas, mission and service teams, or other ways to become involved.
Your message goes directly to the Casa Hogar Alegre team.