Our Story

Eduardo Castañon and Jovita Godínez are the founders and directors of Marsh Children’s Home. They were both raised as orphans in the Latin American Orphanage run by Lawrence and Alice Marsh, where Jovita met her future husband, Eduardo. After raising four children of their own, Eduardo and Jovita generously made the decision to open a space to help needy children and dedicate the rest of their lives to giving love and protection to the next generations of orphans and misplaced youngsters. They named it "Marsh Home" in memory of the couple who lovingly raised them.

On February 4, 2006, Eduardo passed away peacefully. He is survived by his wife Jovita, and their four children. Eduardo's love and many hours of hard work, seven days a week, for the welfare of the children at Marsh Children’s Home are sorely missed by all.

Eduardo and Jovita's dream of helping children in need at Marsh Children’s Home have continued - a testament to his unselfish dedication to this ideal. Jovita, along with her children and the Board of Directors, are dedicated to fulfilling their dreams and improving their legacy.

Jovita has always been the heart and soul of Marsh Children’s Home.  And now, more than ever, she needs her Friends of Marsh Children’s Home,  tios and tias (honorary Aunts and Uncles), and all the generous people who have helped over the years while working with her.

Years ago, Marsh Children’s Home had only 30 children (three, sometimes four, to a bed!), and Mamá Jovita was saying, "No more children"—but Jovita's heart is SO BIG that she has never been able to say "no" to any child who arrived at her doorstep in need of a loving home.

FULL HOUSE. Today, we have about 60 children, ages 4 through 18, and every child has his/her own bed.

Many of these children are from indigenous backgrounds, from the high Sierra Madre mountains close to the border with Oaxaca. The region is one of the poorest in Mexico. Yet these children come to us with so much hope and energy! Many of the children do not speak Spanish when they arrive, yet they do well in school and are quick learners. We have a table in the dining room with "Mixteco" speakers for the newly arrived. We want them to retain their native language and continue speaking it among themselves as a very important part of their heritage.