Ciudad de Angeles IAP

I wish we had this concept in the states. Their devotion to keeping siblings together and not forcing the children out at 18 but instead aiding them in continuing their education is wonderful. Others have stated their disappointment with them requiring a notice for visitors.. this is because they host tour groups and may all ready have bookings for that time.. It is a wonderful place with wonderful people..

I just wanted to respond to Dalton and Peter. I'm sorry you had a negative experience attempting to visit our children. I hope you understand that we are a working children's home and, as such, have some limitations on what we can do. We literally host hundreds of visitors each year. And, yes, Dalton, we do have volunteers in the States that work on the scheduling and logistics for us. But, those volunteers need time to respond to requests, enter them in our system, and finalize the details of each visit far enough in advance for our staff in Cozumel to be notified and adjust their other appointments, duties, or errands to be sure someone can host the visit. One of the considerations of the cruise tours, Peter, is that they are on a regular schedule. We know in advance that they are coming. But, we cannot host an individual at the same time as a cruise tour (they frown on someone not paying the excursion fare and coming on the same excursion as those who did), so it still means booking a separate visit. We tried operating without setting a deadline for visitor registrations, but we had people showing up at our door before the volunteers even had time to process their registration and staff was unaware of their visit. So, to avoid that situation, we asked our volunteers how quickly they could process a visit, and asked our staff how much advance notice they needed, and that's where we came up with the two weeks. We recognize that it is a disappointment for those who make a last minute trip decision inside that window, but we have to have a line somewhere. I assure you that we appreciate all of our visitors and donors. They are what sustains our mission to these children. If you want to know the level of services we provide, check our website for our Strategic Plan. You can also see our financial reports online. The intent of our board is complete transparency. I hope you will both take a future opportunity to come and see for yourselves how we are impacting lives in Mexico.

I echo Dalton Bates review. I contacted them 8 days before arrival advising that I had booked a last minute cruise. I advised that while the ship offered a tour there, that I was a member of an international service organization always looking for service projects and that I wasn't interested in a tour and would rather use the money spent on the tour to buy supplies for the children in a direct visit. Response was, sorry, no dice, that they needed 2 weeks to assure that they had staffing to meet with me, but to go ahead and take the tour. This is highly disingenuous as if they can accommodate me via a tour, they surely can accommodate me directly on the same day. This raises substantial red flags as to what is going on at this orphanage.

I just visited this orphanage. The tour was very nice and well worth my time. I would visit it again. It was part of my Carnival Cruise.

When you tell a group of people with money that could make a huge impact for the kids, that 10 days notice is not enough notice to bring stuff for the kids it makes you wonder what kind of services these poor kids are getting. Instead of seek donations you need to seek volunteers so people that want to bring stuff for the kids can. SMH Thank god Mary did not need 2 week notice to give birth.