Below is a post contributed by Friend and past mission trip participant, Richard Jordan. Enjoy!
August 2011 and another trip to Casa San Salvador in Miacatlan, Mexico, the location of what most of us Holy Namers simply call NPH. When my daughter, Claire was planning to go on her second of her three trips to NPH after her senior year in high school, I was lucky enough to go along as a chaperone. Having never done any sort of “mission” trip before, I was not sure what I was getting into. What I did know was the Claire had fallen in love with the home on her first trip in 2007 and so had friends of ours whose high school kids had been on the trip.
Within days of arriving at NPH, I too fell in love with the home. As a priest told me at the end of that week there, “Something about this place grabs your heart and does not let go”. How right he was. I had the privilege in August to make my fourth trip to NPH as a Holy Name chaperone and I feel more strongly about supporting NPH than ever before. I would go back tomorrow if I could.
I have been able to meet and hang out with our Godson, Alex, who Claire met on her first trip to NPH. He had just arrived at NPH and was a skinny, malnourished nine-year old. Over these last several years, I have had the opportunity to see Alex grow into a healthy, polite 13 year old who is an excellent student in school. I have gotten to know Raul, Gill, Ivan, Daniel, Carmen, Geraldo, Rodrigo and many others year after year. My son Andrew traveled to NPH for the first time on this year’s trip and I saw him make an immediate bond with Jordi, who we now sponsor. My wife Kathy is heavily involved with fundraising for NPH and has worked to spread the word about NPH. I know our 9 year old, Matt can’t wait to make the trip, and I have a feeling that we will be doing that as a family one day because I don’t think he can wait until he is 16, the earliest that he would be eligible to go through Holy Name. NPH has truly become a family cause that has touched all of us, and I know many others where the whole family has been touched as well.
The NPH organization still follows the vision laid out by Father Wasson 57 years ago in his tiny church in Cuernavaca. God’s will is truly being done for thousands and thousands of children who have grown up in an NPH home and gone on to lead successful lives after being given the opportunity to escape a life of little or no hope.
I hope you will take the opportunity to come to the Fiesta at Holy Name on Sunday, October 9 in Wayzata, Minnesota to meet some of the children from NPH Mexico and open your heart to be grabbed by these children.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Gifts of Love: Meaningful Gift-Giving
Below is an article shared by Marcia Mendola, who has helped head up the Haiti Initiative at St. Louis Church in Pittsford, NY for over 20 years. Please read to learn about the amazing relationship between St. Louis, Friends of the Orphans and NPFS Haiti and the great work they are doing together to help children in need.
Over the past 20 years, St. Louis Catholic Church in Pittsford has enjoyed a special relationship with Fr. Rick and his staff. They say he is a “real saint in the making” and appreciate his incredible work for the betterment of mankind. They are especially grateful to him for providing a direct route of service to the suffering in Haiti, and have complete confidence in his work knowing that every cent is put to the best possible use. When the 2010 earthquake hit last year, St. Louis Parish was poised to help with several fundraisers (in addition to the regular tithing commitment to Friends of the Orphans): the 39th Annual Corn Sale, St. Louis School’s Dress-Down and Bake Sale days, a World Hunger Banquet event, the Sunday Stroll for Haiti and the famous annual Christmas Ornament Sale. In addition, the church committee manned a fundraising and informational booth at the fall and spring town celebrations; a local musician tied to the committee created, performed and sold a song about Haiti (http://www.mangotreeforhaiti.com/); and a local restaurant owner and parishioner offered Italian sauce for the cause.
This September, St. Louis celebrated its 40th Annual Corn Sale. For forty years the Powers Family, who run an area farm market, have planted, harvested and delivered wagon loads of fresh corn for parishioners to sell before and after masses on the weekend after Labor Day.
During the coming Holiday Season, St. Louis will conduct its 30th Annual Ornament Sale. Over the past 20 years the money raised has been sent to Fr. Rick’s efforts with the Haiti Initiative. From Halloween until New Year’s Day the beautiful, uniquely different every year, white ceramic ornaments will be available at 4 area churches and 26 merchants around the Greater Rochester area. (Donations of $6 each are requested). Purchase sites, pictures of the ornaments, and more information is available on the parish website: http://www.stlouischurch.org/.
The story behind this Ornament Sale is a wonderful one! These works of art are made by the “Special People” at the School of the Holy Childhood (http://www.holychildhood.org/). Throughout the school year, these developmentally challenged students work as part of their curriculum to create 2,600 masterpieces. In the summer months, the school’s workshop students gift-package the ornaments for St. Louis. Holy Childhood students, despite their personal life challenges, are proud and happy to be of help to children not as fortunate as they. This year, in 2011, the 30th edition proudly features the “Angel of Music” and “Peace Doves.” This project is aptly named “Works of Love”. From the creation of the ornament to its packaging, the children’s love is plainly evident. The purchasers buy the gift out of love for the recipient, and the recipient loves to be remembered in such a thoughtful, meaningful way. All involved find this a way to show their love for the beneficiaries: the poor of Haiti.
Over the past 20 years, St. Louis Catholic Church in Pittsford has enjoyed a special relationship with Fr. Rick and his staff. They say he is a “real saint in the making” and appreciate his incredible work for the betterment of mankind. They are especially grateful to him for providing a direct route of service to the suffering in Haiti, and have complete confidence in his work knowing that every cent is put to the best possible use. When the 2010 earthquake hit last year, St. Louis Parish was poised to help with several fundraisers (in addition to the regular tithing commitment to Friends of the Orphans): the 39th Annual Corn Sale, St. Louis School’s Dress-Down and Bake Sale days, a World Hunger Banquet event, the Sunday Stroll for Haiti and the famous annual Christmas Ornament Sale. In addition, the church committee manned a fundraising and informational booth at the fall and spring town celebrations; a local musician tied to the committee created, performed and sold a song about Haiti (http://www.mangotreeforhaiti.com/); and a local restaurant owner and parishioner offered Italian sauce for the cause.
This September, St. Louis celebrated its 40th Annual Corn Sale. For forty years the Powers Family, who run an area farm market, have planted, harvested and delivered wagon loads of fresh corn for parishioners to sell before and after masses on the weekend after Labor Day.
During the coming Holiday Season, St. Louis will conduct its 30th Annual Ornament Sale. Over the past 20 years the money raised has been sent to Fr. Rick’s efforts with the Haiti Initiative. From Halloween until New Year’s Day the beautiful, uniquely different every year, white ceramic ornaments will be available at 4 area churches and 26 merchants around the Greater Rochester area. (Donations of $6 each are requested). Purchase sites, pictures of the ornaments, and more information is available on the parish website: http://www.stlouischurch.org/.
The story behind this Ornament Sale is a wonderful one! These works of art are made by the “Special People” at the School of the Holy Childhood (http://www.holychildhood.org/). Throughout the school year, these developmentally challenged students work as part of their curriculum to create 2,600 masterpieces. In the summer months, the school’s workshop students gift-package the ornaments for St. Louis. Holy Childhood students, despite their personal life challenges, are proud and happy to be of help to children not as fortunate as they. This year, in 2011, the 30th edition proudly features the “Angel of Music” and “Peace Doves.” This project is aptly named “Works of Love”. From the creation of the ornament to its packaging, the children’s love is plainly evident. The purchasers buy the gift out of love for the recipient, and the recipient loves to be remembered in such a thoughtful, meaningful way. All involved find this a way to show their love for the beneficiaries: the poor of Haiti.
Kathleen McMahon (Pastoral Associate of the Social Ministry and Justice at St. Louis Church in Pittsford, NY) adds: It is only within the last eighteen months that I have had the privilege of working with Marcia Mendola, Bob McNamara and Jennifer Rayno to assist with their amazing efforts on behalf of Fr. Rick, Our Little Brothers and Sisters organization in Haiti (NPFS Haiti) and Friends of the Orphans. It is an honor to be involved with their devoted labors.
Monday, September 12, 2011
They've all captured my heart...
Below you will find a wonderful update from Allison, a volunteer physical therapist at NPH Dominican Republic.
Dear Friend,
Maybe you know what it’s like to feel called to do something. Ever since I graduated as a physical therapist, I dreamt about donating my time to help the underserved. One day I finally took the plunge…
I left behind a great job and wonderful friends in Atlanta – everything I knew. And I began an eye-opening volunteer year in the Dominican Republic. So here I am now, providing physical therapy for children with special needs at the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) orphanage.
I’m almost finished with an amazing year and I want to share what I’ve learned with you … because you share so much with the children of NPH!
I work with the children you support with your donations. I see firsthand what a difference your kindness makes in the lives of kids who’ve known desperate hunger. Kids who’ve lost their parents to violence. Kids who’ve found themselves horribly alone in the streets.
… Children like 8-year-old Massiel who uses a wheelchair. Despite her physical challenges, she has the biggest smile that seems to spread through her entire little body.
… Or 11-year-old Moises. Even though he can’t walk very well, he loves physical play. If I ask him, “What do you want to do today Moises?” He says, “Play!” He challenges me to keep up with him!
When I’m not working, I spend mealtimes and after school time with the pequeños hermanos – the “little brothers and sisters.” I live at is Casa San Miguel, home to a great group of 16 boys, all eager to teach me words in Spanish and impress me with their English. They each have different chores every day of the week. And they keep their home in wonderful shape!
Sometimes it gets really noisy, but as soon as someone starts the dinner prayer, all 16 boys start to sing.
It's hard to think of how sad and scary their previous lives may have been.
But coming here, I was so excited about what I could help the children accomplish during my time with them. I just wanted to give them the best therapy and care possible, because it had been almost a year since they had received any.
I work with 18 to 20 pequeños and I reach out to other kids in the community as well. Some are severely disabled. Others are more independent. And some only need a bit of help.
They’ve all captured my heart with their strength and joy. But I’d like to tell you more about Massiel and Moises, because I know they’ll capture your heart too.
Moises has poor vision and cerebral palsy affects his legs. I fell in love with him immediately. How could I help it? Every time I see him he says, "Me toma," - take me! And he talks so fast I can barely keep up!
Moises is so smart. He can identify someone across the yard by hearing their voice.
A few years back, Moises had surgery to lengthen the muscles in his legs. But now they are almost too long. As a result, he is constantly moving back and forth between bending his legs and hyperextending them.
In physical therapy school we learned that walking is something like a controlled fall. Well, my friend Moises has no control. So he falls all of the time. His poor scratched-up legs are proof of that. That’s why we're working on strengthening his muscles to improve his stability. We’ve been able to do some fun things that may not seem like therapy to him, but have really helped with his walking.
You should see the pride in Moises’ face when he does something well. We've been working on how to stand and he gets so excited when he does it right, he almost falls over again!
Then there’s Massiel. She is so glad to see me when I come to her house in the morning. Massiel makes the sweetest little sounds. It feels like I can have a conversation with her even though she can’t talk. She laughs at my best jokes. And she even laughs at my bad jokes too.
Massiel uses a wheelchair. I'm working with her to improve her head and upper body control. She’s making slow but steady progress keeping her body upright and strong.
I think she will be one of those little sisters who will be hardest to leave. She’s always so happy to see me, and then cries whenever I go.
When I finish my year, there is no therapist to replace me, yet. So I’ve been working on the special needs program as a whole. My priority is to educate the older pequeños and their caretakers so that they may help the children do their exercises until another therapist arrives.
I wish you could meet these children. They’re so loving. And they’ve accomplished so much for kids who’ve come from utter poverty. It’s a testament to the care they receive from NPH – and you.
So thank you, for thinking of the little brothers and sisters in all of our nine homes who would have no home if it weren’t for NPH, for you, and for the gifts you give to Friends of the Orphans.
I’ve learned so much. I hope I’ve given so much too. I really want to continue to support the pequeños from afar, just like you do.
I hoped to make lasting change and allow myself to be forever changed … and that’s just what happened. I realize how much I’ve become invested in these kids. I feel proud when I see them working together. I feel hopeful when we talk about their futures.
I know that I would not be where I am in my life without the abundant love and support of my incredible family and friends.
And these kids would not be facing their futures with so much hope without you … and your support for them through Friends of the Orphans.
Thanks to you, they have families for life with NPH. And a sense of belonging.
They are loved unconditionally. And though many have been through terrible hardships before, they now feel safe and secure. They are learning to share responsibility. And they are gaining education, acquiring jobs, and contributing to society across nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Your support helps kids who would have suffered even more and lost their way if not for the love they’ve found in NPH homes. Please do whatever you can for them today!
With much thankfulness,
Allison Clark
Physical Therapist, NPH Volunteer, Dominican Republic
Dear Friend,
Massiel uses a wheelchair. I'm working with her to improve her head and upper body control. She’s making slow but steady progress keeping her body upright and strong.
Allison Clark
Physical Therapist, NPH Volunteer, Dominican Republic
In addition to making a gift to help our disabled children face the future with hope, you can also transform the life of a child by becoming a sponsor.
• NPH has welcomed 135 new children so far this year. Become a Sponsor for $30/month or more and you will have the opportunity to personally connect with a child and see your generosity in action.
For more information click here or call 1-888-201-8880.
Thank you!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Students in Miami making a difference!
Below is a piece shared by Arleen Rosenthal, Guidance and College Counselor and a great Friend who has helped the Southeast Friends of the Orphans office in Miami, Florida connect with many high school students who are passionate about making a difference.
Several years ago, I read about Friends of the Orphans in a feature article in my local neighbor’s section of the Miami Herald. I was struck by the organization’s mission, particularly in sending orphans who have grown up in one of the homes to college, thus opening a world of opportunity for them. This resonated with me because I have spent the majority of my professional life working with high school students as a Guidance and College Counselor. What I have noticed throughout the years is that volunteer work is perhaps one of the most significant ways that a student can begin to feel empowered and see themselves in the adult world, use their talents to enrich the lives of others and find a venue to explore their own interests and passions. And so, I began referring some of my students to our local Friends office to see how they could help this worthy cause, and in turn, grow from the experience. I must say that the devotion, creativity and enthusiasm of Sherman Humphreys, the Regional Manager of Child Sponsorship has been contagious and that each student I have referred has benefited from their volunteer efforts. Like ripples in a pond, the impact of their projects on behalf of Friends of the Orphans has involved others in our community from the home schools of the students to their own circles of family and friends. For example, the very first student I sent to Mr. Humphreys ended up involving the Language Department Chair of her high school in a letter translation project. Several orphans were sponsored by students at her school and her parents became donors as well. There are all kinds of ways to help Friends of the Orphans and volunteering provides a wonderful experience for personal growth and self-fulfillment for the volunteers while contributing to a very admirale cause.
Several years ago, I read about Friends of the Orphans in a feature article in my local neighbor’s section of the Miami Herald. I was struck by the organization’s mission, particularly in sending orphans who have grown up in one of the homes to college, thus opening a world of opportunity for them. This resonated with me because I have spent the majority of my professional life working with high school students as a Guidance and College Counselor. What I have noticed throughout the years is that volunteer work is perhaps one of the most significant ways that a student can begin to feel empowered and see themselves in the adult world, use their talents to enrich the lives of others and find a venue to explore their own interests and passions. And so, I began referring some of my students to our local Friends office to see how they could help this worthy cause, and in turn, grow from the experience. I must say that the devotion, creativity and enthusiasm of Sherman Humphreys, the Regional Manager of Child Sponsorship has been contagious and that each student I have referred has benefited from their volunteer efforts. Like ripples in a pond, the impact of their projects on behalf of Friends of the Orphans has involved others in our community from the home schools of the students to their own circles of family and friends. For example, the very first student I sent to Mr. Humphreys ended up involving the Language Department Chair of her high school in a letter translation project. Several orphans were sponsored by students at her school and her parents became donors as well. There are all kinds of ways to help Friends of the Orphans and volunteering provides a wonderful experience for personal growth and self-fulfillment for the volunteers while contributing to a very admirale cause.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Their passion for Friends of the Orphans and NPH is infectious...
Below is a post contributed by Chloe Kinsey, the Summer Development Intern from the Northwest Regional Office of Friends. Enjoy!
This last Sunday, the day of the Friends of the Orphans Northwest region’s Summer Family BBQ, was also the last day of my wonderful summer internship with Friends here in Bellevue. My co-intern Claire Baron and I are both heading into our junior year at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and both have an interest in continuing on in the nonprofit sector, a field into which our internship with Friends gave us great insight. One thing that is immediately apparent when working in a Friends office is how much everyone there is involved in the Friends and NPH community. Every person Claire and I met, whether employee, board member, or volunteer, was incredibly passionate about the mission of NPH and had an amazing commitment to Friends beyond their work or volunteer duties. Friends employees are donors and sponsors themselves, have visited NPH homes, and some are even former international volunteers. Their passion for Friends of the Orphans and NPH is infectious, and I am so glad to have been able to spend the summer with such a committed group of individuals.
Claire and I worked on two main projects throughout our summer internship. For the first, we worked with Laura Useche, the Northwest Regional Manager for Child Sponsorship to thank the sponsors in our region. Along with the help of a wonderful volunteer, Caitlin Plummer, we made over a thousand calls to godparents to let them know how much their support is appreciated. Along with encountering our fair share of answering machines and busy signals, we also spoke to a number of sponsors, who made clear their passion for Friends with their excitement over receiving a call and their willingness to share stories about their wonderful godchildren.
Our second project, which required most of our time, was planning a Summer Family BBQ in August to be a community-building event for Friends in the Northwest region. With support from Kristen Bagley, the Northwest region’s Special Events Manager, we planned the event from start to finish. We picked the location, created invitations, procured donations of food and raffle prizes, made decorations, and coordinated volunteers. And in addition to teaching us a great deal about the process of event planning and, more generally, the mechanisms of nonprofit work, our efforts on the BBQ once again demonstrated how significant Friends and NPH are in the lives of those who work with them. We had a wonderful response from volunteers, who helped us from the planning stages through the day of the event itself. Even with their incredibly busy schedules, Stacie, Laura, Kristen, and Katie in the NW Friends office helped us enormously with aspects ranging from finalizing the invitations to locating the serving dishes needed for the event. And though we initially worried that no one would come to the event we had spent the summer planning, we had a fantastic turnout from the Friends community here in the Northwest. On Sunday, Claire and I were able to step back and watch everyone at the BBQ come together and enjoy the event. It was so rewarding to watch employees, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, many of whom already knew each other through the strong Friends community, talking, eating, and enjoying the event together. I’m so glad to have been involved with an organization that inspires such passionate support and encourages a strong community, even at such a distance from the homes where its children live. And I can’t wait to stay involved with Friends and NPH in the future!
This last Sunday, the day of the Friends of the Orphans Northwest region’s Summer Family BBQ, was also the last day of my wonderful summer internship with Friends here in Bellevue. My co-intern Claire Baron and I are both heading into our junior year at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA and both have an interest in continuing on in the nonprofit sector, a field into which our internship with Friends gave us great insight. One thing that is immediately apparent when working in a Friends office is how much everyone there is involved in the Friends and NPH community. Every person Claire and I met, whether employee, board member, or volunteer, was incredibly passionate about the mission of NPH and had an amazing commitment to Friends beyond their work or volunteer duties. Friends employees are donors and sponsors themselves, have visited NPH homes, and some are even former international volunteers. Their passion for Friends of the Orphans and NPH is infectious, and I am so glad to have been able to spend the summer with such a committed group of individuals.
Claire and I worked on two main projects throughout our summer internship. For the first, we worked with Laura Useche, the Northwest Regional Manager for Child Sponsorship to thank the sponsors in our region. Along with the help of a wonderful volunteer, Caitlin Plummer, we made over a thousand calls to godparents to let them know how much their support is appreciated. Along with encountering our fair share of answering machines and busy signals, we also spoke to a number of sponsors, who made clear their passion for Friends with their excitement over receiving a call and their willingness to share stories about their wonderful godchildren.
Our second project, which required most of our time, was planning a Summer Family BBQ in August to be a community-building event for Friends in the Northwest region. With support from Kristen Bagley, the Northwest region’s Special Events Manager, we planned the event from start to finish. We picked the location, created invitations, procured donations of food and raffle prizes, made decorations, and coordinated volunteers. And in addition to teaching us a great deal about the process of event planning and, more generally, the mechanisms of nonprofit work, our efforts on the BBQ once again demonstrated how significant Friends and NPH are in the lives of those who work with them. We had a wonderful response from volunteers, who helped us from the planning stages through the day of the event itself. Even with their incredibly busy schedules, Stacie, Laura, Kristen, and Katie in the NW Friends office helped us enormously with aspects ranging from finalizing the invitations to locating the serving dishes needed for the event. And though we initially worried that no one would come to the event we had spent the summer planning, we had a fantastic turnout from the Friends community here in the Northwest. On Sunday, Claire and I were able to step back and watch everyone at the BBQ come together and enjoy the event. It was so rewarding to watch employees, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, many of whom already knew each other through the strong Friends community, talking, eating, and enjoying the event together. I’m so glad to have been involved with an organization that inspires such passionate support and encourages a strong community, even at such a distance from the homes where its children live. And I can’t wait to stay involved with Friends and NPH in the future!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The pequeños showed a generosity and openness of spirit which encouraged our young people to do the same.
Below is a post from Shawn Phillips, long-time Friend and dedicated supporter. In 1991 Shawn was able to get approval from Fr. Wasson for the first ever youth group to visit NPH Mexico at Casa San Salvador. He has continued to sponsor a child since that first year, and he currently sponsors a youth that is in school at NPH Mexico in Cuernavaca.
I joined the Staff of Holy Name as the Youth Minister in 1993. That spring, before I came on the team, Holy Name had hosted a Fiesta for Minnesota Friends of the Orphans. In the first months we began to set up a plan for the Youth Ministry, which included an integrated social justice component. Part of our hope and dream was to have service that was in our local community, in the broader community and in the global community. Instead of having projects in which we would come in and leave, we wanted to develop significant relationships with the communities that we were developing service with.
One of the goals was to take a group of young people to NPH Casa San Salvador to deepen the relationship that Holy Name had already begun with NPH by hosting a mini-fiesta and a full fiesta. We approached Fr. Phil when the Ballet Folklorico returned to Holy Name in the spring. Fr. Phil said that we needed to get approval for such a venture from Fr. Wasson who happened to be visiting the people of Holy Name with the young people from Casa San Salvador.
The intimidation of Fr. Wasson’s reputation as a great man soon evaporated, as we began to talk about the possibility of bringing high school youth to live with and share with his family. My initial reaction was the greatness of Fr. Wasson’s vision for the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, and he seemed to be delighted about the possibility of introducing his family to the young people.
Much preparation brought us to Casa San Salvador in Miacatlan, Mexico over spring break. We had a mix of work and relationship-building projects with the children. Our group, as much as possible, tried to fit into the schedule of the house from the morning work projects in the field to the evening reading stories in the children’s rooms.
The transformation quickly became apparent as the Pequeños captured the hearts of the young people. The Pequeños showed a generosity and openness of spirit which encouraged our young people to do the same. The children showed each of our young people the face of Christ and created in them a desire to serve through service.
Today, Holy Name is still providing this experience for the young people to be transformed, and there are multiple groups of high school youth that visit the homes of NPH in Latin America because of this partnership that started over a decade ago. It has been my experience that the young people continue their relationship through sponsorship, and some even later volunteer for a year or more in one of the homes. The love that transforms the Pequeños' lives through NPH also transforms the lives of the young people that visit.
I joined the Staff of Holy Name as the Youth Minister in 1993. That spring, before I came on the team, Holy Name had hosted a Fiesta for Minnesota Friends of the Orphans. In the first months we began to set up a plan for the Youth Ministry, which included an integrated social justice component. Part of our hope and dream was to have service that was in our local community, in the broader community and in the global community. Instead of having projects in which we would come in and leave, we wanted to develop significant relationships with the communities that we were developing service with.
One of the goals was to take a group of young people to NPH Casa San Salvador to deepen the relationship that Holy Name had already begun with NPH by hosting a mini-fiesta and a full fiesta. We approached Fr. Phil when the Ballet Folklorico returned to Holy Name in the spring. Fr. Phil said that we needed to get approval for such a venture from Fr. Wasson who happened to be visiting the people of Holy Name with the young people from Casa San Salvador.
The intimidation of Fr. Wasson’s reputation as a great man soon evaporated, as we began to talk about the possibility of bringing high school youth to live with and share with his family. My initial reaction was the greatness of Fr. Wasson’s vision for the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, and he seemed to be delighted about the possibility of introducing his family to the young people.
Much preparation brought us to Casa San Salvador in Miacatlan, Mexico over spring break. We had a mix of work and relationship-building projects with the children. Our group, as much as possible, tried to fit into the schedule of the house from the morning work projects in the field to the evening reading stories in the children’s rooms.
The transformation quickly became apparent as the Pequeños captured the hearts of the young people. The Pequeños showed a generosity and openness of spirit which encouraged our young people to do the same. The children showed each of our young people the face of Christ and created in them a desire to serve through service.
Today, Holy Name is still providing this experience for the young people to be transformed, and there are multiple groups of high school youth that visit the homes of NPH in Latin America because of this partnership that started over a decade ago. It has been my experience that the young people continue their relationship through sponsorship, and some even later volunteer for a year or more in one of the homes. The love that transforms the Pequeños' lives through NPH also transforms the lives of the young people that visit.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
All of This Really Works
Hi, I’m Carrie. Last year (January 2010 – January 2011), I served as an international volunteer at the NPH Guatemala home. Surrounded by a ring of breathtaking volcanoes, I spent my days working as the Home Correspondent, and I spent my nights and weekends unleashing my inner 12 year-old as the volunteer in a section of preteen girls. Oh, and I blogged about the entire thing. Literally, the entire thing. :)
So when I saw that Friends of the Orphans had started this new blog, I knew I wanted to contribute. However, as I said in an email to the blog gurus over at Friends, “Do you have any certain ideas about what you want in a post? My NPH experience feels so gigantic; I guess I feel like I need a way to narrow it down.”
To help me find a place to start, they suggested, “Why don’t you talk about one or two of your favorite experiences?” Hmm. My favorite experiences.
I thought about celebrating my birthday, or teaching the quinceañera waltz, or even just simple nights hanging out in the section.
And while I loved those moments, I kept coming back to two other moments. Neither involved the kids at NPH, the staff, or even my fellow volunteers exactly. Confused? Actually, they both involved you.
Moment #1:
In July of last year, I was asked to write a profile of a child at NPH Guatemala who was either in university or about to begin. Friends was putting together a wonderful back-to-school newsletter, so they wanted to feature kids pursuing higher education. I wrote about Pedro Pablo, a 19 year-old who was always super helpful to me in the bodega (the on-site store) and who I’d heard great things about from my housemate who led Guatemala’s leadership group.
I interviewed Pedro Pablo one day, snapped a photo, strung together some sentences, and uploaded it to the website. And then I moved on to the next project.
A few weeks later, I received this email from a Friends Regional Sponsorship Manager:
Hey Carrie!
I wanted to thank you for your AWESOME article about Pedro Pablo! Because of it a man here would like to sponsor Pedro Pablo through university! I just wanted to confirm that this is the correct person and to remind that you all those silly articles that you write down there really do make a difference. By the time Pedro Pablo graduates from University, the sponsor will have donated thousands of dollars to NPH Guatemala
Moment #2:
Later in the year, as part of my work on the 2010 Annual Report, I was asked to write a profile of a new child at the home. I wrote about Melany, the newest giggly addition to my giggly section of preteen girls. Again, I asked her a few questions one day, took her out on a photo shoot, strung together some sentences, and uploaded it to the website. And then I moved on to the next project.
(Of course, I showed Melany when the article went live on the site. Twelve year-olds love that kind of stuff!)
Several months later, when my year had ended and I was back in the States, I got a letter from Melany in response to a letter I had written my entire section. She wrote me:
Dear Carrie,
Thank you for the letter that you sent us. We miss you. And thanks to your article and interview with me, I have 5 padrinos (godparents) now!!! They all told me they chose me because they saw the article on the website.
So.
Pedro Pablo didn’t receive money for university because I wrote an article. I was just doing my job. It happened (yes, he’s currently attending university in Antigua , Guatemala
And Melany didn’t go from zero godparents to five just because I put her picture on the website. Again, just my job. It’s because you – yes, you – saw those pictures and made the decision to do something about it. (P.S. Melany will graduate primary school in just a few months, and I’m told she talks about her new godparents all the time.)
These moments were my favorite ones. It’s because they were bigger than my volunteer year and bigger than my relationships with my girls and basically…just bigger than me. They were the moments when I realized, that at the end of the day, whether I’m even in Guatemala
So thanks for reading – for reading this post, my old articles, this year’s new articles not by me, and all articles to come. But mostly, thanks for reading…and then doing. Because it works. :)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
NPH Nicaragua
On a recent all-staff call, Friends of the Orphans was able to speak with Marlon Velasquez, the Home Director of NPH Nicaragua, ask questions and get some updated information straight from him! We thought we would share some of this information with all of you as well.
1. Could you please talk about some of the new programs that have been started in Nicaragua as a result of emerging government policies?
We have a new program call the Good Samaritan Program, which is a program that works with children with special needs living at the home. This program is run by volunteers who offer physical therapy and special assistance for these children.
In Managua we just started a new program called San Judas Tadeo. It is an after school program which we are working on in conjunction with the government.
We’ve also started to develop a special document that has to be signed by children’s parents and tutors. The government refers to it as temporal custody, and it stipulates that children have to visit their relatives more often we well as go home for the New Year’s celebration.
2. Is the home using this period as a time of reflection, and what are the results?
We have definitely taken this time to brainstorm and develop new strategies and programs we can execute next year.
We are trying to get approval to be recognized as a catholic community so our work could partner with the diocese of Granada.
We are also thinking of starting a program such as the one in Milpillas Mexico.
We are also looking into our legal documentation to change our title instead of calling the home an orphanage, we could change the official title to a school that offers room and board in hopes to keep more children at the home.
3. How many different facilities are there in Nicaragua and how many children reside at each? Also, what are the plans for the Ometepe property? Who, if anyone, is living there now?
Casa Asis, Casa San Jorge, Casa Padre Wasson, Casa San Judas Tadeo, Casa Santa Clara, Casa Santa Rosa de Lima make up the 6 facilities in Nicaragua. There are over 256 children residing at these facilities, with the majority (210) at Cada Padre Wasson. There are an additional 90 external children who come to NPH facilities for various programs and/or schooling.
4. Has visitor housing been constructed at Casa Padre Wasson yet?
Though construction is not yet complete, we will have a complex of seven rooms completed by the end of 2011. We approximate that these rooms will be able to accommodate 30 people.
1. Could you please talk about some of the new programs that have been started in Nicaragua as a result of emerging government policies?
We have a new program call the Good Samaritan Program, which is a program that works with children with special needs living at the home. This program is run by volunteers who offer physical therapy and special assistance for these children.
In Managua we just started a new program called San Judas Tadeo. It is an after school program which we are working on in conjunction with the government.
We’ve also started to develop a special document that has to be signed by children’s parents and tutors. The government refers to it as temporal custody, and it stipulates that children have to visit their relatives more often we well as go home for the New Year’s celebration.
2. Is the home using this period as a time of reflection, and what are the results?
We have definitely taken this time to brainstorm and develop new strategies and programs we can execute next year.
We are trying to get approval to be recognized as a catholic community so our work could partner with the diocese of Granada.
We are also thinking of starting a program such as the one in Milpillas Mexico.
We are also looking into our legal documentation to change our title instead of calling the home an orphanage, we could change the official title to a school that offers room and board in hopes to keep more children at the home.
3. How many different facilities are there in Nicaragua and how many children reside at each? Also, what are the plans for the Ometepe property? Who, if anyone, is living there now?
Casa Asis, Casa San Jorge, Casa Padre Wasson, Casa San Judas Tadeo, Casa Santa Clara, Casa Santa Rosa de Lima make up the 6 facilities in Nicaragua. There are over 256 children residing at these facilities, with the majority (210) at Cada Padre Wasson. There are an additional 90 external children who come to NPH facilities for various programs and/or schooling.
4. Has visitor housing been constructed at Casa Padre Wasson yet?
Though construction is not yet complete, we will have a complex of seven rooms completed by the end of 2011. We approximate that these rooms will be able to accommodate 30 people.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
All The World to One Child
Here is a blog post from dedicated Friend, Rebecca Kollaras. She ceaselessly supports Friends of the Orphans and contributes to the "Unofficial Friends of the Orphans Miami" facebook fan page, UFO Miami, completely made and managed by volunteers.
As you may or may not know, I volunteer with the Friends of the Orphans. My daughter Zoe and I sponsor an eight year-old girl, Jaydy, in the Dominican Republic. She and her younger sister Paola, were abused and neglected to the point of danger, by their mother. Neighbors took them in and cared for them until the father could get custody. Unfortunately, he also was unable to care for these girls because he works at a farm, a great distance away. He decided to send the girls to the Friends of the Orphans supported home in the Dominican Republic just over a year ago. They are now cared for, happy and being educated by this 100% volunteer organization which receives no public funding. My daughter and I write letters back and forth with Jaydy, and my father and step-mother are now sponsoring Paola, the younger sister. We plan to make a family trip to meet the girls soon.
Zoe's penpal Jaydy
I am blogging today to request any sort of donation for the silent auction in the Friends of the Orphans 2nd annual All the World to One Child fundraising gala. Friends of the Orphans is an international non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the lives of orphaned and abandoned children through the support of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), a network of orphanages, hospitals and community outreach programs in nine countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
On Friday October 21, Friends of the Orphans (Southeast region) will hold its 2nd annual fundraising gala, All the World to One Child, at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, FL. The evening, which will feature an unbelievable array of gourmet delicacies created by the chefs at A Joy Wallace Catering, an open premium bar by Bacardi, lively music by our host DJ, an inspirational story by our special guest Aurora Zacarias from NPH Mexico and phenomenal silent auction, will attract over 250 guests.
By donating an auction item or gift certificate, you will be making a tax-deductible contribution that will help Friends of the Orphans in its mission to provide hope to the children we serve.
Furthermore, by supporting the 2nd annual All the World to One Child, you/your business will strengthen its recognition as a philanthropic leader in our community and throughout South Florida, as our database encompasses an array of professional, diplomatic, press, entertainment, arts and community leaders. All silent auction sponsors will have the opportunity for direct exposure at the event in the form of an item display and bid sheet, as well as recognition on a slideshow that will be looping throughout the evening.
Happy boys
In addition, I would consider it a very important personal favor if you would consider donating to this cause. It can really be anything – trips, dinners, gift certs, books, services, jewelry, parade floats…anything that will help raise money for the charity. I appreciate your support immensely and so do the 3,700+ orphaned/abandoned kids Friends of the Orphans cares for in the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico.
With gratitude,
Rebecca
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Eternally grateful
Here is a touching letter from a godchild to his godparents.
Hello John and Rosemary,
It gives me great pleasure that you, my favorite Godparents, are always caring for me and my sisters. It has been eight long years since we arrived at NPH and without you, I don’t believe that I would be the person I am today.
I am currently finishing my second year of service. During my first year, I worked in the kitchen and this year, I am responsible for the swimming pool. In July, I will actually move to the NPH house in Monterrey, Mexico and begin studying law at the university. I will be 21 years old on May 2nd and am not quite sure what I want to do. I wanted to study Foreign Languages but none of the universities I can attend offer that major other than English. I am not sure if you are aware but I love music and have dreamed about becoming a musical artist.
I am proud to have you as my Godparents and consider you to be my family, my favorite grandparents, and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful. Although I do not know you personally, I thank God for placing you in my life.
Thanks to God, my sisters who are now 19 are doing well and are in their first years of service. Two of them take care of the smaller children and one of them washes the dishes after the meals.
I leave you knowing, that I remember you in my prayers and hope that you had an excellent Holy Week.
With much love,
your Godson,
David
Hello John and Rosemary,
It gives me great pleasure that you, my favorite Godparents, are always caring for me and my sisters. It has been eight long years since we arrived at NPH and without you, I don’t believe that I would be the person I am today.
I am currently finishing my second year of service. During my first year, I worked in the kitchen and this year, I am responsible for the swimming pool. In July, I will actually move to the NPH house in Monterrey, Mexico and begin studying law at the university. I will be 21 years old on May 2nd and am not quite sure what I want to do. I wanted to study Foreign Languages but none of the universities I can attend offer that major other than English. I am not sure if you are aware but I love music and have dreamed about becoming a musical artist.
I am proud to have you as my Godparents and consider you to be my family, my favorite grandparents, and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful. Although I do not know you personally, I thank God for placing you in my life.
Thanks to God, my sisters who are now 19 are doing well and are in their first years of service. Two of them take care of the smaller children and one of them washes the dishes after the meals.
I leave you knowing, that I remember you in my prayers and hope that you had an excellent Holy Week.
With much love,
your Godson,
David
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