The Board of Trustees of the Las Palmas Children's Home has unanimously approved the update of its bylaws, a decision that represents a historic milestone for a foundation founded in the midst of the Civil War thanks to the initiative and generosity of the Del Castillo family, closely linked to the social and economic life of southern Gran Canaria. The reform expands the foundation's purposes, which since 1938 focused on the care and education of children in vulnerable situations, to also include the provision of assistance and social and health services to vulnerable people or those at risk of social exclusion.
The Casa del Niño was created 85 years ago after the donation of land in the southern part of Gran Canaria's capital by the Del Castillo brothers, members of one of the island's most influential business families, also known for its historical ties to the Bravo de Laguna family in social and political spheres. That philanthropic gesture crystallized into an institution with strong local roots, which became a refuge and educational opportunity for thousands of children during a time marked by poverty and social disorganization.
The meeting of the Board of Trustees, chaired by the Government Delegate in the Canary Islands, Anselmo Pestana, brought together representatives of the island's main public and private institutions. It was also agreed to include the bishop of the Diocese of the Canary Islands as a trustee, joining the already present representatives of the Government Delegation, the Island Council, the Canary Islands City Council, the Diocese, the Treasury Delegation, and other key organizations. Among the continuing trustees is Fernando del Castillo, heir to that historical connection that keeps his family's contribution alive within the foundation.
From charity to the social and health challenge
The Government Delegate emphasized that "this is an important step, because the original statutes date back to the 1930s. Today we are taking a leap forward, with all institutions aligned with the same goal." The update will allow the Children's Home to face a new era, extending its work to broader groups at risk of social exclusion and adapting to the needs of a society facing growing challenges in terms of poverty, dependency, and socio-health vulnerability. The Children's Home, born from the philanthropic drive of the Del Castillo and Bravo de Laguna families, thus enters the 21st century with a renewed vocation: to keep its historical legacy alive by serving the most vulnerable population of Gran Canaria.
