Virgen de Fatima is a residential home for children up to eight years of age. These children have been abandoned, abused, lost or orphaned and are wards of the state. It is called a transitional home but in reality the children will reside here for long periods of time until they are moved to another residential unit. Only a very small percent (5%) of children here will be adopted or returned to family members. Virgen De Fatima can house up to 150 children and the home consists of five salas (0-2yrs) and five casitas (2-8yrs). The educadoras (house mothers) care for up to 15 children each and work 24 hr shifts* . The educadoras are responsible for all of the care of the children, this includes feeding, washing the children, cleaning the environment, washing clothes etc. It is therefore no surprise that with only one person for all their physical requirements these children lack individual attention and suffer many of the problems associated with institutionalization.
* 24hr shifts means the educadoras work 24 hrs on and then 24hrs off