Oaxaca, Mexico
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village
an oasis for children in oaxaca, mexico
The children who live at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village come to us from difficult starts in life–extreme poverty, abuse, neglect, lack of access to food, healthcare, and education.
Living at the village transforms their lives.
Central to our success is that we raise children as a family, striving each day to duplicate the same commitment as the most loving and capable parents. Our 16-child capacity helps ensure that we can always maintain that highest quality of care.
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village demonstrates a new model of caring for society’s most vulnerable children. It has been called “unique”, “special”, “remarkable”, and “magical”.
We invite you to learn more, be inspired, and help us to create smiles and bright futures.
Learn more about how you can support the Simply Smiles Children’s Village
Oaxaca, Mexico
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village is located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca (Wa-ha-ka) where the average monthly income is just $203 USD per month (2024), small-scale farming is the largest source of income, and nearly half the population is indigenous, primarily Zapotec Indian.
While Oaxaca is large and predominantly rural, our children’s village is located in the state’s urban center allowing access to education, healthcare, and other vital services.
LGBTQ2S+ Safe, Supportive & Welcoming
meet Gaby Chavez hernandez, director
As the director of our children’s village, Gaby models the core Simply Smiles philosophy that she inspired, helped to develop, and one that she has lived: Simply Smiles recognizes the strength that is born from overcoming adversity, and we nurture children to become adults who are driven and prepared to fulfill their dreams and to help make a better society.
At the age of 11, Gaby chose to leave her home in a remote Mexican village to pursue her education in Oaxaca City where she lived at a struggling group home.
In 2015, she received her B.A. in Business Administration from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut on a Simply Smiles academic scholarship.
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After seven years of living in the United States, Gaby made another momentous decision: to return to Mexico to build and manage the Simply Smiles Children’s Village in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Gaby is an exceptional individual and an inspiration to the thousands of people with whom she's crossed paths in Mexico, the United States, and beyond.
From cooking a child’s meal when they first arrive to live with us to attending college graduations for Simply Smiles scholarship recipients, under her inspirational leadership and example, Gaby is providing bright futures for the children in her care every day.
Our approach to caregiving
Simply Smiles is redefining how society’s most vulnerable children are supported and the model is simple: provide for these children as you would your own children; because they deserve nothing less.
We’re not an “orphanage” a “group home” or even traditional “foster care”.
The results are remarkable.
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The key is our family-like environment where each child gets the attention, support, and dedication that they need and deserve.
We don’t “warehouse” children. We’d never sacrifice quality of care for quantity. And, we reject a “something is better than nothing” approach because it doesn’t offer the opportunities necessary to heal, to overcome adversity, and to leave trauma and stigma behind.
We do more than help children to survive. We provide the conditions and opportunities that allow children to thrive.
There is nothing that a loving parent wouldn’t do for their child, provide for their child, or want for their child’s future. At the Simply Smiles Children’s Village, we work to duplicate that same commitment for every child in our care.
Their stories
The following are excerpts from a recent series of interviews with the children living at our village. Read or listen to their powerful reflections on coming to live at the village and what your support means to them.
All interviews have been translated from Spanish to English and were edited for clarity. The audio files have been recorded by a Simply Smiles staff to preserve the privacy and identity of the youth featured below.
“I’ve thought about my future, and I have so many things I want to study. When I finally finish, I’ll be able to say thank you, not just in words, but by giving back to others. That’s how I see it; if I’m doing well, I’ll be able to support others.”
16 kids vs. 50…75…100 kids
A note from Simply Smiles President and Founder Bryan Nurnberger
Village Director Gaby Chavez Hernandez with Simply Smiles President and Founder Bryan Nunberger
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village has a capacity of 16 children. There is a tremendous need for our services. So why wasn’t the village built to serve more children?
It’s a question we get often. And trust me, the children we aren’t able to have live with us, live in our minds and hearts every day.
It's a fact that with our annual operating budget for the village, which provides exceptional care for 16 children, we could provide a lower standard of care for more children. It wouldn’t cost Simply Smiles more money, the cost would be paid by the children in what they need and wouldn’t receive.
That’s a truth that I’ve seen and that Gaby has personally lived.
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Gaby, who is now the director of our children’s village, grew up in a group home as one of seventy children. I started Simply Smiles because I was inspired, and also deeply concerned, by my time as a volunteer there.
When we broke ground on the Simply Smiles Children’s Village in 2015, Gaby and I made a decision to care for children differently.
We wouldn’t repeat the “something is better than nothing” mantra that’s both pervasive and leaves so much wanting. But rather, we’d do something simple and radical, provide for the children in our care as you would your own children–because they deserve nothing less.
Our combined experiences spoke loud and clear to us in determining that having more than 16 children in one setting would make it impossible to offer that kind of care. Not because of square-footage or the size of our operating budget, but because in an environment with more children, it would be impossible to provide the personal, loving, attention and support the children need. And that would dramatically and negatively impact the rest of their lives.
It pains us to know that there are children out there who desperately need what we do. But it would pain us more to know that we were providing substandard care and as a result, causing immediate and long-term harm.
The positive results of our decision and our model have been remarkable.
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village is something we, our supporters, and the children are exceedingly proud of.
Today the village cares for 16 children. The village also acts as an outreach center providing services like food and medical aid to the children and families in the surrounding community.
Gaby and I desire nothing more than to build more Simply Smiles Children’s Villages, to duplicate our success, and provide the conditions that allow 32, 64…hundreds…of children to thrive.
We believe that day, and that impact, will come. And that you, our supporters will be there to help to make it happen.
But we’ve also learned another key lesson that will dictate when we scale and expand on our success. Our villages must be built around the right leader.
To work, the family-like model requires an absolutely exceptional person, with the right set of experiences, and the right heart to run the village. We found that in Gaby. She’s integral. She’s essential. She’s the CEO and a parental figure.
Maybe that next leader is living at our children’s village right now, receiving all she needs to grow up…and change the world around her.
-Bryan
Objectives of the village
1. To provide the highest quality of care
2. To raise children as a family, striving to duplicate the same commitment as the most loving and capable parents
3. To facilitate and nurture connection with biological family
4. To facilitate healing through the provision of mental health services
5. To provide a safe, inspiring, resource-rich environment for children
6. To keep sibling groups together
7. To provide high-quality education
8. To foster tomorrow’s leaders and role models
9. To create a scalable model that can be replicated
How children arrive at the village
The children who live at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village come from across the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and have had incredibly difficult starts in life–extreme poverty, abuse, neglect, lack of access to food, healthcare, or education.
We provide for children of all ages and gender identities. We welcome sibling groups and prioritize keeping siblings together. As possible, we accept children with physical, mental, and emotional special needs. And the majority of the children are of an indigenous group, primarily Zapoteco.
There are two paths into our care: Private referrals and placements from state social services.
Simply Smiles accepts formal responsibility for the child but does not adopt or attain legal parental status. This is because we desire and facilitate biological family members to remain engaged whenever possible.
Biological family
In almost every case, the children have immediate or extended biological family who simply cannot provide for them. Most commonly it is a combination of love for the child and desperation that leads them to our door, asking that we take in, provide for, and raise their children.
When possible and appropriate, retaining a connection with a child’s biological family is an important part of healing and long-term health. Simply Smiles endeavors to work with biological family members to determine, pursue, and achieve a shared vision for the child’s wellbeing.
The village campus
Designed and built by Simply Smiles to be an environment that best serves the needs of the children, the village is as functional as it is beautiful.
The children live in small “casita” houses on the property–not dormitories. Meals are eaten together family-style. College students have their own onsite “apartment”. Take a photo tour of the village:
providing all that the children need to thrive
If a child needs a support or service it is provided for them. A child cannot “age out” of living at the village.
Youth can pursue education through any level they desire and can attain. Every aspect of the village, its resources, and practices are designed to fulfill the needs of the children. Learn more about our family-like holistic commitment to raising children at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village:
Mental Health Care
Every child at the village receives mental healthcare from a child psychologist.
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Mental and emotional well-being is a priority and treatment is tailored to the individual needs of each child.Our psychologist uses age-appropriate, trauma-informed techniques to help children and youth process and heal from past experiences, build resilience, and promote emotional regulation.
The impact of these mental health interventions is profound, helping the children to develop a strong sense of self-worth, confidence, aspirations, appropriate relationships, and setting them on a solid foundation as they build their bright, healthy future.
Education
Central to the village is our focus on education. The children attend local public, private, and special needs schools.
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As they learn the power and possibility of education, youth often choose to pursue higher education or vocational training and can remain living at the village while working toward their degrees or certifications.
Simply Smiles employs a full-time in-house tutor who works with the students year-round and coordinates educational support with their teachers and counselors.
The results are incredible, with the children in our care receiving academic awards and consistently graduating in the top of their classes.
Nutrition
Most children arrive into our care undernourished. But the meals at the village are simply incredible!
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Hearty, varied, balanced meals are prepared by our cooks. And the children lend a hand with meal preparation and cleanup as part of their chores.
Oaxaca is known for its food and our cooks use many local ingredients sourced from local suppliers and community members. Traditional foods like moles, tlayudas, memelas, squash blossoms, tamales, and chapulines (cooked grasshoppers!) are prepared with love and care and are often cooked on a “comal” over a fire. But the children also enjoy a pizza party or macaroni night as part of our balanced approach to nutrition.
Healthcare
To address the healthcare needs of the children, we have established strong partnerships with local providers.
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To address the healthcare needs of the children, we have established strong partnerships with local healthcare providers, including doctors, dentists, eye doctors, physical therapists, and various specialists.
These partnerships ensure that each child receives the highest quality of healthcare for their specific needs.
Regular check-ups, dental care, and vision screenings are part of the comprehensive care plan for each child. The village was intentionally built near the state’s leading children’s specialty hospital. This proximity allows for swift access to emergency medical care as well as specialty care.
Our commitment to the health of every child addresses the immediate health deficits they arrive with as well as their long-term well-being, empowering the children to attain and maintain good health as they grow up and throughout their lives.
The team
At the heart of our village is an incredible staff dedicated to raising the children as a family.
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They aren’t the children’s parents, but they are committed to providing the highest quality of care and being role models in the children’s lives.
Composed primarily of local, indigenous, women who help instill a deep understanding of the culture and community into the children’s lives, they work tirelessly to maintain an environment where the children can focus on healing, education, and pursuing their dreams for a bright future.
The children also contribute to the home’s needs by taking on age-appropriate chores. This involvement helps them develop a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and pride in where they live.
Special events & celebrations
Birthdays, holidays, and special events are how we mark occasions, celebrate milestones, and create lasting memories.
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Each child’s birthday is celebrated. Christmas and Three Kings Day transform the village with decorations, lights, and holiday cheer. The children even dress up as Mexican revolutionary heroes for Independence Day!
Summer vacation trips provide opportunities for exploration, new experiences, and bonding.
And at the end of every school year we celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of our students with a really big celebration!
Events, holidays, and celebrations are an important part of our village “family” as they are opportunities to enrich the children’s lives, embed happy childhood memories, and remind each child how special they are.
Life skills
Acquiring the necessary skills to become happy and successful adults is embedded in nearly every aspect of our village—from table manners to chores.
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The children acquire life skills by taking on age and ability-appropriate responsibilities and opportunities. For example, teenagers learn to take public transportation and use that skill to get to high school, visit friends, and help with errands.
Financial education combined with career counseling are integral and tied to our focus on education. Youth learn that through education and all that the village offers them, they can fulfill their potential, identify their goals, and meet them.
Sustainability
Sustainability and resource conservation are intertwined with our commitment to honoring and maximizing the financial support of our donors.
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Recycling and composting reduce waste. We conserve water with mindful practices. LED lights keep our power bill down.
Every dollar we save by exercising resource conservation practices allows us to invest more into the children’s futures, while at the same time teaching them about being good stewards of the village and the environment.
Community outreach & support
The Simply Smiles Children’s Village is an oasis for the children in our care, but there is tremendous need outside of our walls. We are fortunate to be able to support our neighborhood and the surrounding area.
Through our community outreach efforts we provide assistance to those in need via intentional efforts like our food distributions and by responding to needs when help is sought at our door.
With the children who live at the village witnessing and actively participating in these efforts they learn that we all share a responsibility to help those less fortunate and that we can all make a positive difference in the world.
Additionally, we prioritize supporting local businesses for our needs in an effort to have the village’s presence uplift our community.
College graduates: bright futures ahead
Through the generosity of our supporters and key partnerships with academic institutions, Simply Smiles academic scholarships are awarded to specialized fields of study and higher education. Youth have graduated college with degrees in several fields, including nursing and international relations.
Earned a B.A. in International Relations on a Simply Smiles academic scholarship
“You believed in me. You never withdrew your support…and you helped convince me that nothing is impossible. ”
Operating Budget
100% of our village operating budget comes from donors like you–and every dollar makes a positive impact. The village does not receive funding from the Mexican government.
All village services are always provided at no cost to the children or their families.
Annual operating budget: $300,000 USD (2025)
Since 2023, the village has hosted teams of “gap year” volunteers from Germany.
During a year-long stay, two driven young volunteers lend their talents and energy to support the village. But they also share a new culture and experiences, helping us to fulfill our goal of nurturing the children in our care to see themselves as “citizens of the world”.
This program is a partnership between Freiwilligen Ökumenischen Friedensdienst (FÖF) and Simply Smiles Germany. Please note that Simply Smiles is not currently accepting volunteers outside of the FÖF program.
frequently asked questions
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The children living at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village are not available for adoption.
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There is no age maximum or “aging out” of Simply Smiles care. This commitment includes continuing to offer support in pursuing higher education, trade school, employment supports, or employment with Simply Smiles.
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Simply Smiles, Inc and the Simply Smiles Children’s Village are not affiliated with any religion, faith, or denomination.
We believe that the most powerful way to share the universal tenets of your individual faith or beliefs is to live a life of example and good works. Doing so will have a powerfully positive impact on everyone.
If a young person growing up at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village desires to explore a religious faith, they are welcome to do so and will be supported in their journey.
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Spanish is the language spoken at the Simply Smiles Children’s Village. However, for some of the children, an indigenous dialect is their first language. The children are also offered English classes in school.
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On-the-ground volunteer efforts were instrumental in getting us to where we are now and formed a cornerstone for what we have built.
However, based on our current program needs, it is unlikely that we’ll offer volunteer opportunities anytime soon.
As our needs change, we look forward to exploring how we can implement and provide meaningful volunteer opportunities again.
We encourage you to to sign up for Volunteer Updates and you’ll be the first to know when/if Simply Smiles volunteer experiences become available again. Thank you!
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If you are traveling to Oaxaca and are interested in visiting the Simply Smiles Children’s Village please email us at: communications@simplysmiles.org
Please note that there are several factors village leadership must consider to determine if a visit to the village is possible during your time in Oaxaca. We thank you for your interest in visiting us!
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Throughout our website (and on social media), we do not share photos or other identity-revealing details of the children currently or previously in our care at Simply Smiles Children’s Villages.
This is to protect the children’s privacy, safety, and dignity.
While we are proud of how we provide for and nurture the children, what is posted online exists forever online. Simply Smiles has therefore adopted policies designed to protect the children from any immediate or future stigma that may be associated with receiving support from a child welfare program.
While posting photos of the children may help Simply Smiles to generate support for our work, the health, happiness, and success of the children is our priority.
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Note: For our email subscribers, we share via email more in-depth updates about the children and our programming including photos of the children. However, we ask that email subscribers do not publish this imagery or content to social media or any other public forums. By opting into receiving Simply Smiles email updates, subscribers agree to comply with this policy.
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We desire nothing more than to build more Simply Smiles Children’s Villages, to duplicate our success, and to provide the conditions that allow 32, 64…hundreds…of children to thrive.
We believe that day, and that impact, will come. And that you, our supporters will be there to help to make it happen.
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We encourage you to explore our past work as well as key milestones in the Simply Smiles story!
learn more
Where Simply Smiles began
Learn more about Ricardo, the young man who inspired the creation and expansion of Simply Smiles.
Why “only” 16 kids
Read a blog post by Simply Smiles President and Founder Bryan Nurnberger about the capacity at the village.