Sunrise Children's Home of Argentina

Carlos Naranjo, or Papa Carlos as the children fondly called him, lived and worked in San Nicolas Argentina with his wife, Rosalia. In 1959, one of their children died in a tragic accident. A year later Rosalia died. Papa Carlos thought that everything was finished. He wanted to die...but a voice was telling him to have faith.

In 1964, three little siblings abandoned by their mother were brought to Papa Carlos's and his new wife's house badly in need of food and shelter. They weren't prepared for this but they accepted the children. The satisfaction of extending this kindness instilled an immense desire in the Naranjo's to dedicate their lives to helping the needy children of Argentina.

Their home was soon too small to hold all the children and they moved to a larger but old building at Las Heras 138 and Balcarce 128 in San Nicolas. At times, they had as many as 115 children were placed in the home, brought there by the Judiciary Department of San Nicolas and different courts of the Province of Buenos Aires.

Papa Carlos died in 1993 but his vision lives on. Sunrise is not home to about 70 children. In March 2000, another home was added just for babies and toddlers.

In 1983, construction began on a new building on land donated by the City Government. The advancement of this project depended totally on donations. Until 1987, local businesses and people donated most of the materials and labor. In October 1987 a group of men and women from the United States visited Sunrise and promised to return. On November 2, 1989, 20 of them returned. They finished the first phase of the project and equipped the Home with bunk beds, mattresses, sheets and pillows…all new. The girls moved in first followed in November by the boys. This is the current home.

Since 1983, help has come again and again from supporters in the United States and other countries. At various times, interns from other countries stay at the home or in town and volunteer their time. Teams help construct and maintain the buildings. Families and individuals volunteer their time as chaperones at the summer retreats.

Sunrise accepts children that have suffered from abandonment, child abuse, family violence, divorce, poverty, and negligence and is unique in that it takes in siblings so they can remain together as a family. Many of the children have been rescued from the streets and from the prostitution trade.

The children attend kindergarten, primary school and high school. They participate in activities that promote their general welfare such as sports, music, drawing, and computers. Many of them study English in different private and public schools in the city.

The staff consists of a director, secretary, bookkeeper, administrative accountant, two psychologists, a social worker, a speech therapist, and a support teacher. Several ladies take care of the children by cleaning and making sure they do their chores. There is also a nurse, a cook, a laundress, a maintenance person, a physical education teacher sent by the city government, and a volunteer English teacher. Volunteers help with the daily routine, tutor the children and serve as substitute parents.

Every effort is made to return the children to their own family or a substitute family as soon as conditions are right. One of the Home's main responsibilities is to prepare the children physically, spiritually, and mentally for the time when they will leave the Home. Many children live at the home until they are adults.

The children are cared for and counseled according to Christian principles. The staff tries hard to be a good example and loving substitute parents.

Each summer, many of the children attend a retreat on the beach at La Lucila del Mar and Chapadmalal. There is also a local swimming club where the children spend some of their time. The time away from the Home is a good break for the children and a reward for good behavior and school performance.

Since 1997, Sunrise, along with the whole country, has celebrated the Day of the Child (Dia del Nino). This helps integrate the children into the society where they will live when they leave the Home. It also allows the children to use their talents to give a little something back their community.

Sunrise goes far beyond what the government requires. The staff and administration believe in the restoration and full development of each child and in the individuality of each child. The children need more than food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education. They need a full taste of love, grace and mercy. Every child is important.

Sunrise Children's Home International is a tax-exempt non-profit United States organization that operates a sponsorship and fund raising program on behalf of the home. Over 95% of sponsorship and other funds received are used for their designated purposes.