Nancy Nystrom is the leader and founder of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage, the first not-for-profit orphanage in Manzanillo, Mexico. Her visionary approach to unconditional care and support for hundreds of children who have been welcomed into Casa Hogar Los Angelitos is the foundation of our film’s story. Nancy has overcome countless societal and emotional challenges including legal battles, vandalism, anti-foreigner and patriarchal pressures, and the death of her son, Freddy. By persevering through it all, Nancy has created a unique model of holistic care for the abandoned and abused children of the Colima region in Mexico. Her ideas to use artistic expression as a method of healing the emotional traumas that most children face when entering the orphanage has become the study of clinical psychologists and large child-care organizations across the world. Nancy is a beacon of light in the community of Manzanillo, caring for those who have no one else to do so, and has become the spiritual leader for many young adults who have been aided by her care, in addition to her staff at the orphanage.
Dr. Donald Phelps is a researcher of psychology with a primary focus on child trauma and is currently a Professor of Social Work at Aurora University in Illinois, U.S.A. His interest in this field and personal connection to Manzanillo led him toward discovering the work of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage. Dr. Phelps quickly recognized that the orphanage’s model of child care, particularly with the use of creative expression to heal emotional trauma, went well above the traditional food, shelter, and talk therapy offered in other orphan institutions he had seen — even in the United States. Dr. Phelps has now completed two volunteer research sabbaticals at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos and is a vocal supporter of their work both personally and in his role as an educator.
Andrés Birrueta arrived at the doors of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos at the age of eight. His father and mother had been imprisoned and his aunt was no longer able to take care of him or his brother. Andréas was taken to the orphanage without understanding what was occuring. After years spent growing under the guidance and leadership of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, Andréas has now graduated from post-secondary education, and is a leader at the orphanage. Andréas volunteers most of his time at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos and has become a role model for the children and teenagers who today arrive in similar situations as he and his brother.
Artemio Birrueta is the younger brother of Andréas, and was left at the orphanage at the age of six, when his mother, father, and extended family could not afford to support or raise him. Artemio has now graduated from school and is a leader in the internationally travelling Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos dance program, where he has trained in traditional mock-battle sword dancing. Like his brother, Artemio is closely connected to Casa Hogar Los Angelitos and serves as a role model and idol for the children who arrive today.
Lupita Carbajal is the administrator of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage. Lupita became involved in the orphanage as a volunteer social worker after studying at university. She quickly realized the impact that she could have by not just providing food and shelter for the most vulnerable children in the Colima province, but by also nurturing these children with education, artistic expression, and unconditional love. Lupita takes care of the administrative responsibilities to ensure the orphanage has food, maintenance, volunteers, toys, artistic supplies, medical supplies, and staff, and also spends her time building relationships within the community to encourage more financial support for the vision of the orphanage.
Dr. Guiber Nuñez is the onsite doctor at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. His professional medical support is a critical part of the holistic and unconditional care offered at the orphanage. He and his team bring medicine and medical supplies to aid the children who often arrive with illnesses and physical ailments. Dr. Guiber and his medical partner Emilia Carbajal Lopez are live-in psychologists helping each child at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos recover from a history of abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
Juan Miguel Ruíz Martínez is the father of two young boys that live at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. Due to hardships with divorce, a lack of low-income support, and an inability to secure a valid passport from the government, Juan is forced to live on the streets of Manzanillo and often seeks refuge in cardboard boxes and underneath overturned boats on the beach. Juan made the difficult decision to leave his children under the care of Nancy Nystrom and the staff at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. Juan wanted a better life for his children, one that includes food, shelter, and education, as well as programs dedicated to creative expression. Juan works in various hard labour positions throughout the state of Colima and takes time to visit his boys whenever he is able. He is a proud and caring father who made the ultimate sacrifice to provide a better life for his children.
Lidia Rodriguez is a key board member at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage. Her years of dedication to helping the children at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos includes volunteer work, caring for children, fundraising, administrative responsibilities, helping coordinate events, and being a leader in the organization for both children who are at the orphanage as well as staff members.
Ramón Rodriguez is husband to Lidia, offering support while dedicating his time as a volunteer at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos. He is an advocate of the programs offered at the orphanage and has provided both spiritual and financial support to the vision of Nancy Nystrom, his wife Lidia, and the board members and staff at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos.
Janice Morgan is a volunteer at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage. Janice became involved through a personal connection with the orphanage’s founder, Nancy Nystrom. She has taken numerous trips to Manzanillo to show her support — both financially and by dedicating her time to being with the children — for the cause of the orphanage. Janice recognizes the profound impact that one person can make on the lives of many if they are willing to dedicate their time, effort, and love.
Emilia Carbajal Lopez is an on-site psychologist at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage. Emilia has created and made use of many therapeutic programs that help children overcome emotional traumas caused by addiction, abuse, and abandonment. Emilia understands how creative practices work in the healing of trauma and has helped grow the expressive arts programs regularly used at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage.
Eduardo Bautista Fierros is a teacher at Escuela Primaria Benjamín Amador Cisneros school in Manzanillo, where many children from Casa Hogar Los Angelitos are enrolled. Eduardo teaches all subjects at this school and plays an integral role in the educational development of students in Manzanillo city. Educardo understands the unique circumstances that children from Casa Hogar Los Angelitos face and, as their educator, helps them to build confidence, intelligence, and curiosity so that they may one day lead better independent lives.
Maria Mercedes Trujillo Chávez is the principal at Escuela Primaria Benjamín Amador Cisneros school in Manzanillo. She is responsible for maintaining a professional relationship with Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage and has welcomed many children from Casa Hogar Los Angelitos to the school’s programs with an open heart and mind. Maria is a leader in the community and a role model for both students of Casa Hogar Los Angelitos, and Manzanillo city.
Raymundo Ishmael Rodríguéz Tomes joined Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos in his teenage years and is now a touring performance artist. Raymundo had a difficult childhood, being raised on the streets of downtown Manzanillo in a poor community. Through the help of the Ballet Folklorico Los Angelitos instructors and members, and the love and care of Nancy Nystrom, Raymundo overcame issues with alcohol addiction, violence, and gangs. He is now a proud father and husband and spends much of his time volunteering at Casa Hogar Los Angelitos orphanage.
Fortino Ruiz is the Director General at Contecon Manzanillo, a Transportation, Trucking, and Railroad company operating out of the Manzanillo port — the main economic driver of the region. Under Fortino’s leadership, Contecon makes monetary donations in addition to organizing volunteer hours for its employees. Fortino understands the value that Casa Hogar Los Angelitos provides for children, and more largely for the communities and residents of Manzanillo city.