School Buddies
Sponsor an Orphaned Boy's Education at St. Innocent Orphanage in Baja California, Mexico
Every boy who comes through the doors of St. Innocent Orphanage in Rosarito, Mexico, arrives carrying a story of loss. Many have experienced poverty, instability, or the absence of a family. What they find at St. Innocent Orphanage — a home, a community, and a faith — changes the trajectory of everything.
Education is at the center of that transformation. In northern Baja California, the average resident completes only an 8th-grade education, and the quality of that schooling often falls well below what children in the United States receive. We believe the boys in our care deserve more. Through the School Buddies program, supporters from across North America help cover the cost of tuition, school supplies, tutoring, and uniforms — giving each boy the tools he needs to pursue the future God has prepared for him.
Annual tuition ranges from $2,700 for Prepa (high school) to $4,200 for university — costs that most families in this region could never sustain alone. Your gift as a School Buddy makes the difference between a boy who graduates and a boy who doesn’t. And in a community where education is often the only path out of generational poverty, that difference is everything.
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Primary School Buddies
Our youngest boys currently attend elementary school, and watching them grow is one of the greatest gifts this ministry offers. When Alejandro first arrived at St. Innocent, he could not name the letters of the alphabet or solve a simple addition problem. Today, he volunteers to read aloud in class and confidently works through multi-digit multiplication — beaming with the pride of a boy who has discovered what he is capable of.
For children who have known instability and loss, the classroom becomes more than a place of learning. It becomes proof that the future is open to them. Your support as a Primary School Buddy helps cover tuition, school uniforms, and supplies for boys like Alejandro, giving them the stable foundation every child deserves.
Middle School Buddies
Our boys are currently navigating the middle school years — a season of growth that can be as challenging as it is full of possibility. We watch them mature week by week: learning to resolve conflict, take responsibility, and discover the subjects and skills that light them up. One boy has developed a passion for mathematics; another has found his voice in class discussions he once shied away from.
At St. Innocent, middle school is not just about academics — it is about formation. Our staff walks alongside each boy as he grows in confidence, faith, and character. Middle School Buddy donors help fund the tutoring, extracurricular activities, and school resources that make this season of growth as rich as possible.
High School Buddies
Our boys are currently enrolled in high school, each in a program chosen to match his individual gifts and aspirations. Three will graduate this spring — a milestone that represents years of commitment, faithfulness, and the generosity of donors who believed in them before they believed in themselves.
Adrian, who hopes to study medicine after graduation, is already asking questions that go well beyond the classroom. Brandon earned straight A's this past semester — a reflection of both his own hard work and the structured, supportive environment St. Innocent provides. For these young men, high school is not just the end of a chapter. It is the beginning of a vocation.
High School Buddy donors play a vital role in this final stretch — covering tuition at specialized schools, exam fees, transportation, and the additional tutoring that helps our boys compete and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the School Buddies program?
School Buddies is a donor sponsorship program that funds the education of orphaned boys living at St. Innocent Orphanage in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico. Sponsors help cover the cost of tuition, school uniforms, supplies, and tutoring for boys from elementary school through high school graduation.
How much does it cost to sponsor a boy's education?
Annual tuition costs vary by school level. Primaria (Grades 1–6) is $3,400 per year; Secundaria (Grades 7–9) is $3,500 per year; Prepa (Grades 10–12) is $2,700 per year; and University is $4,200 per year. These figures cover tuition only — additional needs such as uniforms, school supplies, tutoring, and transportation are also part of what School Buddy donors help fund. Every contribution, at any level, goes directly toward a boy’s education. To discuss a specific giving level or set up a recurring gift, contact us at 619-426-4610 or info@projectmexico.org.
What does my sponsorship cover?
Your School Buddies gift helps cover annual tuition ($3,400–$4,200 depending on grade level), school uniforms, supplies, tutoring sessions, transportation, and exam or graduation fees. Boys at St. Innocent attend schools selected to match their individual strengths and aspirations — from local primaria through university — and your support makes that possible at every stage.
Can I choose which boy I sponsor?
To get more information about sponsoring a specific student or school group — Primary, Middle School, or High School Buddies — please contact our team at 619-426-4610. We are happy to connect you with updates on the boy or group you support.
Will I receive updates about the boy I sponsor?
Project Mexico shares regular updates about our students through our newsletter, annual report, and the Stories of Hope podcast. To receive personal updates about a sponsored student, please get in touch with our office directly at info@projectmexico.org.
Is my donation to School Buddies tax-deductible?
Yes. Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a donation receipt for your records.
What if I cannot commit to a monthly gift — can I make a one-time donation?
Absolutely. One-time gifts to the School Buddies program are gratefully accepted and put directly to use. You can give online through our secure DonorPerfect giving page, or mail a check to PO Box 120028, Chula Vista, CA 91912. Please note "School Buddies" in the memo line.
Is this program connected to the Orthodox Christian faith?
Yes. St. Innocent Orphanage is an Orthodox Christian ministry, and the boys in our care are raised within the life and worship of the Orthodox Church. We welcome donors of all backgrounds — the love of neighbor that motivates this work belongs to everyone. For Orthodox Christians, School Buddies offers a tangible way to live out the Church's call to care for the orphan.
How can my parish get involved with School Buddies?
Many Antiochian and Orthodox parishes have adopted School Buddies as a parish mission project, collectively sponsoring one or more boys' education as a community act of giving. To learn how your parish can get involved, contact us at info@projectmexico.org or call 619-426-4610.
Become a School Buddy today and invest in a boy’s future.
Here is what your annual gift makes possible:
• Primaria (Grades 1–6) $3,400 / year
• Secundaria (Grades 7–9) $3,500 / year
• Prepa (Grades 10–12) $2,700 / year
• University $4,200 / year
Every level of giving matters. Whether you sponsor a full year or contribute toward a boy’s tuition alongside others, your gift goes directly to work.
▶ Give online: projectmexico.org/school-buddies (Join Today)
▶ Call us: 619-426-4610 (Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5pm PST)
▶ Email: info@projectmexico.org