There are two buildings where the children stay. Each building is divided into two levels, creating 4 'casitas' or little houses. The boys are divided into the two lower levels and the girls are in the upper floor casitas. Each casita has a living room, 3 dormitory style bedrooms, a dormitory style bathroom, a table and chairs for meals and homework, and a room for the 'madre tutora' or live in mother. There are no kitchens in the casitas because the albergue has 2 'cocineras' or cooks who make all the meals for the staff and children. The cocineras ROCK and the meals are delicious... well, except for pig ear soup.
Each casita has it's own name and definately it's own personality. The boys' casitas are Tesoros (Treasures) and Amigos (Friends.) The girls' casitas are Chispas (Sparks) and Luces (Lights.) Right now, there are about 10-12 children in each casita, although the albergue can hold up to 65, I believe. I hope to write a blog about each of the casitas as we spend more time with them.
