R.I.S.E. opened its doors in March 2001 because there was a tremendous need for another facility in Puerto Vallarta. Some of these children are orphans but most come from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected, or simply abandoned. Some were transferred from the only other facility because of overcrowding. Sadly, but true, quite a few of our children have been in institutions most of their young lives. DIF’s main objective is to reintegrate these children with their families, but in many cases this is not always possible and R.I.S.E. becomes their permanent home. R.I.S.E. offers these children a safe place to live when they have no other choice in life.

R.I.S.E. has five nuns who live at the shelter and look after the children on a full time basis. The nuns belong to the Order of Carmelites of Jesus of Nazareth. R.I.S.E. is also fortunate to receive British volunteers sent to us from Outreach International in the U.K. They stay from three to six months. We also have American volunteers who live in Vallarta during our high season who are our “angels”. They not only give of their time unselfishly but also make sure that our children are given a lot of love and arrange for outings away from R.I.S.E. to entertain them.

Address:
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, A.C.
R. Flores Magon #251
Colonia Benito Juarez
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

E-mail for Carmen: carmengalvanpv@msn.com

Telephone: 222-7857 (if you speak Spanish) otherwise contact Carmen at the e-mail address above.