What Is an Albergue, and Why Work on One?

In rural areas of Mexico, access to education can be limited by geography and poverty, leaving many children without reliable opportunities to attend school in these regions. To help bridge the gap, the Mexican government, through its Indigenous School Comprehensive Care Model, runs “Albergues Escolares”, student shelters that provide housing, meals and educational support for children from vulnerable communities who live too far from schools or come from difficult home situations. 

In rural areas of Mexico, access to education can be limited by geography and poverty, leaving many children without reliable opportunities to attend school in these regions. To help bridge the gap, the Mexican government, through its Indigenous School Comprehensive Care Model, runs “Albergues Escolares”, student shelters that provide housing, meals and educational support for children from vulnerable communities who live too far from schools or come from difficult home situations. 

A Safe Haven for Students

Santa Ana Necoxtla, a largely indigenous community in Puebla, is home to Albergue Escolar No. 48, where 52 children live during the school week to attend nearby schools. The shelter offers a safe space for the students to stay during the week, surrounded by peers and trusted adults. They share meals, do homework together, and relax during their downtime with friends at this type of boarding school.

“The shelter is like my home, my second house. My classmates are like my siblings, and the teachers are like moms or aunts to me,” shared Dulce, a student at the Albergue. “I love everything about it.”

Keeping the Albergue Safe, For Generations to Come

The infrastructure here is aging and was impacted by the 2017 earthquakes. To help keep students safe, healthy and learning, All Hands & Hearts (AH&H) launched a program from May to September 2025 to repair and improve the Albergue and three local schools. At the Albergue, we are building a kitchen and multipurpose room to be used as both a dining area and a learning space for homework and studying.

By improving the infrastructure at Albergue Escolar No. 48 and nearby schools, AH&H is helping ensure that students in Santa Ana Necoxtla have a safe, supportive environment to live and learn. With your continued support, we can keep showing up for communities where education is the key to a brighter future.

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