Casa Shalom is a Christian orphanage located just outside Guatemala City — an area marked by poverty, crime, and instability. For children here, life often means abandonment, abuse, neglect, or being forced to work instead of going to school.

At Casa Shalom, 55 children and 51 dedicated staff members experience a very different story: safety, love, and the hope of a future.

Take Tony, for example.

Twenty years ago, Tony was left on Casa Shalom’s doorstep as a one-month-old baby. He grew up surrounded by caregivers who loved him, provided for him, and taught him about Jesus. Today, Tony has graduated as an appliance repair technician, is studying engineering, and serves faithfully in his local church. He went from being an abandoned infant to becoming a young man with hope, purpose, and faith. That’s the power of Casa Shalom.

The Challenge: High Water Costs

To keep things running, Casa Shalom currently pays an average of $649 each month on city water — nearly $7,800 every year. For an orphanage, that money is precious. In fact, that monthly water bill is equal to the salary of two house parents during the rainy season.

And while city water is usually reliable, disruptions do happen. Just this July, an earthquake broke the city’s water main and left Casa Shalom without running water for three days.

The Solution: Rainwater Capture System

Casa Shalom’s director, Josh Hansen, has a simple but powerful vision:

    •    Install 8 rainwater tanks (1,100 gallons each), gutters, and piping.

    •    Collect and store 8,800 gallons during the rainy season (June–October).

    •    Eliminate the water bill for nearly half the year — saving $3,200–$3,900 annually or $39,000 over the next 10 years and it never stops! In five years, this will pay for itself.

Those savings go directly to what matters most: hiring and supporting the caregivers who raise children like Tony.

The Goal

Each tank system costs $2,500. Outfitting Casa Shalom with 8 tanks will cost a total of $20,000.

How You Can Help

    •    Donate: Every dollar makes a difference. Even $10 brings Casa Shalom closer to water independence.

    •    Share: Spread the word with friends, family, and your church community.

With your help, Casa Shalom can redirect thousands of dollars each year from water bills to life-changing care for children who deserve a future filled with hope.