When Jesús “Chuy” Acosta and his American wife Amy returned from Chicago to Acosta’s tiny hometown of Camichines in 2001, they brought with them their four young children and a strong desire to “give back” to this small Jalisco community, where Acosta was raised.
“I had a passion for educating kids,” said Acosta, “because I’d only finished junior high here by the time I emigrated. In the States I got my GED and some community college and when we returned here to Camichines, the first projects we started were a public library in the plaza — it’s still open — and a kids program.”
The Acostas’ life took another sharp turn when, a few years later, their family in Camichines suddenly doubled in size, from four children to eight.
“We got to know a mother with four kids who was running away from the law. She told Amy and me her story, so we decided to do something to help the kids. They were put under our direct custody — all but adopted — and that’s how Ranchito con Esperanza began.”
Now the Ranchito, situated in the village between the larger towns of Ameca and Tala southwest of Guadalajara, shelters 29 children who have been placed there by state authorities.
“Our biological kids are grown up and in college in the States,” Amy Acosta said, sitting in a small living room next to a well equipped kitchen at the Ranchito, where a cook was busy preparing dinner. “But the four children we have custody of are still here, although of course they’re older too.”
“It’s been eight years since we started this shelter,” Chuy Acosta said. “67 children have passed through. We treat them as family while they’re here, even though the state may decide to move a child to another institution or to live with another family. For example, we take them to a movie a couple of times a year and we all go together — all 29 kids.”
The “family” includes a couple of infants. Indicating a little girl, Amy Acosta said, “We’re not sure exactly how old she is, but she came to us when she was more or less six months. The baby had been burned, deliberately, with a cigarette or candle.” Amy walked away briefly to get a kleenex and returned wiping her eyes. “She has nightmares,” she added.
“Seven of the kids we currently have were burned by the people who were supposed to be taking care of them,” Chuy Acosta said.
“About 95 percent of the kids here have suffered abuse,” Amy added. “That’s why we got started — to help kids who were in danger.”
“All of them have emotional problems,” Chuy noted. “Some worse than others. They often have a very strong attachment to their parents.”
Outside in the patio, several children were relaxing or playing basketball in the morning sun while on break from classes held in the adjacent, two-story classroom-dormitory building. Along one side of the patio a twenty-something American volunteer, who with his wife is a houseparent, was using a saw in a workshop.
“There’s also going to be a clinic,” explained Evan Cutshaw, a teacher who has volunteered for two years full-time at the Ranchito.
“We’re supported by several churches, including Christ the Redeemer Church in Bugambilias and a church in the States,” he added.
“I’ve seen so much growth here since I first started coming. It’s impressive what’s been done here. I remember breaking up rocks for the foundation of this building,” Cutshaw reminisced.
“Of course, Chuy did the design and a lot of the construction. He does carpentry, drywall, welding, electrical and more. A group of ladies come to clean regularly. People have come to give the kids a clown program. A guy came to give a nice workshop about computers.”
“We want to make sure the kids learn a trade or go to university. If not, they can work on our farm when they get older,” said Chuy Acosta, referring to a large nearby spread where the group raises cattle and corn. “We hope to open more shelters in other parts of Mexico.”
“God has provided and people have contributed,” said Cutshaw.
Ranchito con Esperanza is a project of LENAM (Levantando Esperanza en Niños Alrededor de Mexico), www.ranchitoconesperanza.org. If interested in being part of the ministry, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..