History

In 1994, an American named John Walker and his Mexican born wife, Carmen, began to pour their hearts and life savings into a dream to help some of Mexico's most needy children. Soon thereafter, they began to purchase small ajoining plots of land to the west of Ciudad Juarez, just across the U.S. border from El Paso, TX. It was there they began to make their vision a reality...to build not an orphanage for children, but a home. As recently as 2008, over one hundred children called Arbol de vida 'mi casa."
Establishing this home has not been easy. Located on the outskirts of Juarez, the culture can be both violent and threatening, but John and Carmen have made it work by stretching available resources, to secure water, electricity and housing. The children, many with abusive pasts, now now have a home where they can feel and be safe. They have regular meals, clean water, warm shelter and clothing and, more importantly, a place where they belong and are loved. Each child is encouraged to reach their full potential.
Over the years, small school buildings have been built on property. Because of the dangerous nature of many of the local public schools, they are unsuitable for the children of Arbol de Vida. Funding the education of over eighty children, grades K thru 12 is always a challenge, but now the most recent financial burden has been support for certified teachers. Due to this year's economic downturn across the U.S., funding has dropped. The children's education is at stake.