Fifty miles west of the city of Queretaro, a cobblestone road meanders between the ravines shouldered by the copper cliffs of the Sierra Gorda Mountain Range. It leads to the Santa Maria del Mexicano Orphanage, housing about 320 youth and 100 elderly adults. Maestros, or teachers, serve a dual need of educating and nurturing. They will often pat a child on the back or ruffle their hair. The children here receive a better education than they would in public school.

Rotary renovated room of a glorious hacienda as the school's library, in addition to buying the desks, chairs, and books. Additionally, Rotary annually organizes sponsorships for clothes and toys. "We seek out individual sponsors to ensure that every child gets a set of completely new clothes once a year -- shirt, pants, socks, underwear, coat, everything -- and a second set of used clothes," said one Rotarian.

Santa Maria el Mexicano Orphanage operates on a budget of $1,500 American dollars per day. Santa Maria is actively seeking funds and volunteers.

Mi Casa foundation Website