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Baja California, Mexico, lacks a comprehensive foster care system. Instead, children in need are supported through a network of private orphanages that rely entirely on private donations. When children cannot stay with their parents due to circumstances such as death, abandonment, or safety concerns, and no relatives are available to take them in, the government turns to these private orphanages to provide care.
El Reino De Los Niños (The Kids Kingdom) is an independent orphanage located in Maneadero, near Ensenada in Baja California. Founded in 1989 by Tomas and Maricela Shockey, who, along with Ricardo Meza, continue to serve as live-in directors, the orphanage provides a home for between 50 and 55 residents at any given time. This includes 25 to 35 children aged 3 to 21-some of whom stay temporarily while awaiting permanent placement-as well as a few university students who grew up at El Reino. These students also play an active role in assisting the staff.
The children at El Reino often come from backgrounds of abandonment or abuse and frequently arrive with minimal formal education. The orphanage provides a nurturing environment where they receive the necessary support and encouragement to excel academically.
The financial oversight of El Reino is managed by Friends of the Kids Kingdom, a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, making contributions tax-deductible as permitted by the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations.
This funding project has two primary objectives. First, it aims to enhance the security of the orphanage by repairing, rebuilding or fortifying three key sections of the perimeter wall that encircle the approximately 2-acre compound. These sections include the areas surrounding the boys' dormitory, the girls' dormitory, and the boundary wall adjacent to the street. Portions of the existing perimeter wall have been identified as particularly vulnerable to unauthorized access, posing a significant safety risk due to the high rates of violence and abductions in Baja California. Recent incidents of criminal trespassing and theft of tools, equipment, and infrastructure underscore the urgent need for improved security. The planned upgrades involve rebuilding deteriorating sections, raising the height of several segments, replacing or reinforcing footings, and adding anti-climber mesh and motion-detection lighting. The portion of the project dedicated to repairing, rebuilding and reinforcement of the perimeter walls will take between 2 and 3 months.
Second, the project includes providing academic tutoring for the children for at least one year. Most of the children arrive at El Reino with limited educational backgrounds, making intensive academic support essential for their advancement. Over the past three years, El Reino has employed two dedicated professional academic tutors who play a critical role in the children's education. These tutors attend official school meetings to assess each child's performance and identify any issues that need addressing. They offer personalized assistance to enhance both academic skills and cognitive development, ensuring that the children are better equipped for their educational and professional futures. Additionally, they oversee online classes from kindergarten through high school, complementing the orphanage's in-person and online educational offerings. By addressing the educational support gap left by the absence of parental guidance, these tutors significantly contribute to the children's academic progress.
Our Rotary Club has a long history of supporting Kids Kingdom, and many of our members have directly witnessed the vital services the orphanage provides and the ongoing need for support. We identified the necessity for this specific project through a thorough evaluation of the orphanage, which included analyzing feedback from knowledgeable community members and conducting interviews with the facility's directors.
Stuart Markey led the comprehensive assessment. A former U.S. Navy Captain and Operations Manager for a national commercial construction company, Mr. Markey has been a dedicated supporter of Kids Kingdom for over 13 years. The evaluation also involved questionnaires completed by key community members who have been actively involved with Kids Kingdom, including the director of the local junior high school. (Copies of the assessment and completed questionnaires are attached to this grant application.) Additionally, the directors' extensive experience provides them with deep insights into the needs of El Reino and effective strategies for addressing those needs.
Several members of the Rotary Club of Ensenada have been and will be involved in the oversight of both aspects of the project. Members will visit the orphanage on a regular basis during and speak with the Directors concerning the achievement of goals. Approximately three members of the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club will be involved in monitoring the projects and will be in communication with the Directors as to the progress. The membership of the Rancho Santa Fe and La Mesa Rotarians are planning to visit the orphanage in January of 2025.
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