An Open Letter to NPH Volunteers from a Grown Pequeño

By Jonathan, Class of 2016 (in his own English!). This post originally appeared here on The Seattle Institute: NPH International blog.

Dear Volunteers,

I would like to personally thank all of you for your commitment to NPH.   I truly believe that both the children and the great family of NPH are also grateful for you.

I would also like to express my thanks to Vicky who manages all the volunteers that make NPH feel like a family.  Your ability to recruit people to volunteer in NPH and place them in the appropriate country and house as role models for our children who need to be prepared to live their lives beyond NPH is much appreciated.

Our volunteers have the opportunity to share their talents and knowledge while serving children. Often volunteers are highly trained and skilled individuals whom NPH leverages for our children as nurses, teachers, and therapists working in different areas where the house needs, also including childcare.

Volunteers always bring new ideas and different perspectives in order to help improve our family.  To volunteer with NPH is one of the greatest gifts for our family.  Thank you for the things you do for us.  You spend time with us for protection and love, and sacrifice time away from your family, thank you infinitely, dear volunteers.  I just wish that when it’s my turn to support my neighbors, that it is half of what you were within our family.

No matter how much time passes without a visit, or how far you go, you can be sure that on your return to the family of NPH, I [we] will welcome you with abundant love and hugs.

Congratulations for the great time you shared, the hard work, and thanks because this program would not be possible without your generous support.

Sincerely,

Jonathan, NPH Guatemala

 

 

Connecting with former NPH volunteer Bailey (Mexico).

 

Serving together @Jubilee House. (Luisa and Carrie – Guate).

 

Wendy and Stefan (who began as a volunteer too!)

 

Rodolfo and Celson connect with soon to be NPH Honduras Volunteer, Lauren.

 

Joe and Fr. Tom (Guatemala, Mexico).

 

Leaving the Duck!

 

Bowling with former volunteers, 2015.

 

Digyana and Laura, volunteer in Honduras (Casa Pasionista).

 

Former volunters/mentors!

 

Jean Francois with his Godmother, Leah (and Haiti volunteer). They were both glad to re-connect this year!

 

We now have first hand knowledge of what our NPH volunteers go through when they first arrive at our homes!!! Workshop, 2014.

 

Spiritual Gifts with Fr. Reynaldo (Honduras, Bolivia).

 

Vicky teaching, 2015. Vicky and Ethan volunteered in Honduras!

 

Merissa (volunteer from NPH Mexico) and Wendy, 2011.

 

Posadas, 2013. Kara (Honduras), Joe (Nicaragua), Merissa (Mexico).

 

NPH Guatemala!!! Malia, Kristina and Jacinto reminiscing.

 

Former Volunteer BBQ, 2012.

 

Editor’s Note: In October, Vicky, NPH USA International Volunteer Coordinator, facilitated a workshop called “The NPH Volunteer Experience” with the students, in which they learned about the logistics of the program and spent time thinking about what makes a good volunteer for our family.  It was after that day and re-connecting with many former NPH volunteers here in Seattle that Jonathan decided upon this topic for his blog post. Former volunteers in the Northwest have made significant contributions to the beginnings of this program as well, and we are so grateful that your love and support continues after you return “home”!