Establishing Long-term Fundraising and Advancing Children’s homes and an Eco-Orphanage in Latin America

We are currently working to create sustainable, long-term fundraising by growing our community choirs, recording music in Colorado, hosting events in California  and building allies in Latin America. The dreams of these efforts are that it will help support the development, and planting seeds of our eco-orphanages and children’s home initiatives in Latin America.

How did this vision come about?

When I, Shaela Noella (founder of Sister Winds), was 18,  studying in Honduras as a foreign exchange student . At the time I was just starting to learn Spanish, and barely understood anything. One day my host family gave me a tour of the hospital, it was quite shocking but even moreso when I encountered Carlitos, the sweetest little baby boy who had been abandoned there, and he was looking lifeless. So I decided to visit him daily, on my walk to school, noticing that holding and spending time with him brought light back into his eyes and life into his little body.. And then, one day, he wasn’t there. My limited Spanish made it even more difficult to get an answer as to where he had gone. My search for Carlitos led me on a journey through the region’s orphanages, where I witnessed the dire conditions children face in the developing world. This journey left an indelible mark on me, and sparked a lifelong vision to create a nurturing, loving environment where children could heal, grow and thrive with garden’s, care and a connection to nature. (I still think of baby Carlitos, and the impressions he made in my life.)

What is the Vision?

The eco-orphanage aims to provide a sanctuary for vulnerable children, addressing not only their immediate needs but also fostering long-term growth and healing. The vision is a circular community on land – likely in Mexico or Ecuador – with fertile soil and sustainable gardens at its heart. Surrounding the children would be layers of support, from caregivers to retirees and elders and others invested in giving back to the land and to the children. Over time, this model could evolve into a self-sustaining village, complete with a store or restaurant that generates income while fostering unity, connection and purpose. This initiative seeks to revive the essence of “village life,” where children, elders, and community members coexist in harmony, each contributing to the well-being of the whole.

Children entering the orphanage are often survivors of trauma – whether due to the death of their main caregivers or parents – to abuse, neglect and poverty. Each child’s story is unique – but they all share a common thread of resilience and potential. This project seeks to provide them with trauma-informed care, education and emotional support to rebuild their lives. Therapists, nutritionists and vetted caregivers will form the backbone of the orphanage’s operations –  creating a safe and nurturing environment for all.

Eventually, I envision an on-site school that will educate both the children and local community members, ensuring integration with the surrounding culture. The center will also promote advocacy for women’s and children’s health and rights. By addressing some of the unfortunate issues of abuse through education and outreach, the eco-orphanage can be a beacon of transformation for the broader community – and beyond.

Sustainability is at the core of this initiative. The “eco” in eco-orphanage reflects a commitment to organic farming, permaculture and biodynamic practices. The land will be tended with thoughtfulness, love and care, with plants that complement one another and water-recycling systems to honor and respect the life-giving element. Children will learn environmental stewardship through hands-on gardening, waste reduction, and communion with the Earth, empowering them to become future advocates for this sacred planet of ours. 

Establishing financial sustainability is critical for the orphanage’s long-term success. Initial goals include creating a strong foundation, building a dedicated board, and securing funding through grants, donations and partnerships. The Sisterwinds Choir, another branch of this nonprofit, has already been instrumental in raising funds and awareness for this dream vision. Long-term strategies include revenue-generating projects like selling produce from the farm or operating a local restaurant. Donors can also support the initiative through volunteering their time, hosting song circles or contributing in-kind resources and skills. 

Success will be measured by both short- and long-term milestones. In the immediate future, building a strong organizational foundation, assembling a dedicated team, and securing initial funding are critical steps. Over time, success will look like happy, healthy children thriving in a sustainable community that grows its own food, educates its members, and fosters meaningful connections. Scaling this model to other regions in Latin America is yet another long-term goal, allowing the impact to ripple outward.

What keeps me motivated is the memory of Carlitos and the countless children like him who deserve a chance at a better life. This initiative is a labor of love, faith and hope for the greater good of humanity. It’s a vision of healing and renewal—of building a world where every child feels loved, every elder feels valued, and every community thrives in harmony with the earth. 

Together, we can turn this dream into a reality – one child at a time.

 

 

Latest Next Phase of Our Goal : thank you to all that came out and supported our Música y Más fundraiser. With funds raised we will be planning the next scouting efforts and building relationship in Ecuador.

Continue Scouting & Relationship Building for an Eco-Orphanage in Ecuador
We are in the early stages of exploring the possibility of developing an eco-orphanage or children’s home in Ecuador. This initiative would integrate sustainable living practices, environmental stewardship, and holistic child care. Our focus is on forming meaningful connections with local communities, identifying key collaborators, and researching the best practices for creating a self-sustaining, nurturing environment for children in need.

Through these efforts, we strive to create safe, supportive, and empowering spaces for vulnerable children while fostering sustainable and community-driven solutions.

2025 Phase of our Goal and Vision completed:

Big Thank you’s go to Emery and Saoirse for supporting us with a grant that attributed funds for Scouting for the Eco-Orphanage Sites, and support bring on Michaela to our team to help with more administrative organization.

 

With Saoirse’s application of the grant, and Emery’s generous heart we have been able to scout further in Latin America.

January 1st – March 28th, 2025: Key Accomplishments by Our Founder, Shaela Noella

During this period, Shaela Noella actively engaged in scouting, networking, and exploring opportunities to further our mission of supporting children in need. Key milestones include:

• Exploring Land Donation in Southern Mexico (Yucatán)
  Shaela visited a potential land donation site in the Yucatán region, assessing its viability for future development.

• Scouting in Belize & Guatemala
  While traveling to Guatemala, she had the opportunity to explore and gain insights into potential locations and collaborations in Belize.

• Identifying a Children’s Home in San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala
  We discovered a children’s home in San Marcos La Laguna that is in urgent need of support. This has become our immediate focus for fundraising efforts.

• Opportunities in Tecpán, Guatemala
  We received an invitation to explore and potentially contribute to the development of a home for children or specialized programs for children with disabilities in Tecpán.

• Scouting in Ecuador
  Our efforts in Ecuador included researching ideal locations, building relationships with local organizations, and connecting with existing foundations that support children in need.

Through these experiences, we continue to refine our vision and take actionable steps toward creating sustainable and supportive environments for children in need.