Victims of Guatemala Orphanage Fire

On International Women's Day, Guatemalans awoke to news of an unspeakable tragedy.  A fire inside a large, overcrowded orphanage on the outskirts of Guatemala City claimed the lives of 19 girls, many more in critical condition.  The death toll is now up to approximately 37 and will likely rise.  Hogar Seguro is one of the main orphanages where our own Healing Projects' teams have served the past 7 years.  Built to house less than 500, it was crammed with 800 children and teens.  True orphans, children from abusive homes, boys and girls who had been raped and trafficked in the sex trade, and vulnerable young special needs children lived behind large concrete walls like prisoners alongside gang members and violent teens who were also placed there for delinquency and criminal activity.  

It was never a secret to those of us who served there that rape, abuse, and mistreatment of all kinds were rampant behind those walls as well. Teens living inside the facility have long claimed abuse and neglect, often the abuse coming from other teens and gang members housed there.  

While reports are still conflicting and we may never know the full truth, this week it is clear that some of the residents had enough and several escaped the night before the fire.  Many families of those living inside showed up to the gates of the orphanage that morning to demand to see their children or bring them home. In response to the escapes, the orphanage was placed on lockdown and the girls' dormitories were locked with terrified young, teenaged girls trapped in small rooms.  What most likely occurred next is one or more of the girls set their mattresses on fire in an effort to get the staff to release them from their locked rooms.

While families of the victims were kept outside the facility, the sounds of rioting and screaming from the inside only escalated the crisis.  We do not know whether any attempts were made to rescue the girls once the fires were set, or whether it just spread to quickly.  But once the blaze was set, these precious young lives were engulfed in flames.  19 died on the scene, many more were hospitalized.  At least 37 have died to date, some of the survivors are so badly burned reports are that DNA will be required to even identify who they are.


Healing Projects has not only served for many years in this orphanage, we are partnered with some of the organizations and other private children's homes who have been asked for assistance and to house the children who were evacuated from Hogar Seguro.  We are working very closely with the same reputable partners we have had for many years and can say with confidence that everything donated here will be used to assist the victims of this horrific tragedy and their families.
 We will continue to inform you of exactly where your donations are used, providing photos and details so you can feel connected to the families you are helping in this sad time.  We will also use the funds to ensure a safer, abuse-free future for these precious children who deserve to live better.  
HERE IS HOW WE WILL BE DISTRIBUTING THE FUNDS:
1.  Immediate supplies and relief for victims & families
2.  Assistance with hospital bills & funeral costs
3.  Sponsorship of children who were evacuated and moved to our partner children's homes
4.  Ongoing support for the survivors & orphans in private care facilities

It seems no one was listening to their cries for help before. It is our deep, sorrowful, grief-filled, anguished prayer that the world will hear them now.  Please do not let these young girls lives be a fleeting global moment of regret.  We pray that it deeply touches your heart, moves you to action on behalf of orphans and vulnerable children and teens globally, and to generosity for bringing hope and healing to Guatemala specifically.  

WE ARE STARTING WITH A GOAL OF $5,000.  If we exceed that goal, ALL funds given from this campaign will continue to go to the stated goals above to assist the victims of this tragedy.  

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter at Dawn Greer Choate.
Follow Healing Projects on Facebook.
Follow our teams and stay up-to-date with future service trips at HealingProjects.org