The transformation that the Friends and NPH family has allowed Kervenson to undertake is amazing, astounding, and fulfills every hope and dream I have for him...

Below is a testimonial from Rachel Prusynski, great Friend and Godparent, who shares her personal and touching story about her own experience in the Haiti earthquake and meeting her godchild, Kervenson. 

On January 12, 2010, I was trapped under the rubble of the six-story Father Wasson Center in Pètionville, Haiti. I was rescued from the building with just a broken arm and multiple lacerations. My friend Molly Hightower, who was volunteering for a year with special needs children for NPH Haiti, was not so lucky. Needless to say, my two-week vacation to visit my best friend from college and meet the children she loved ended quite tragically and unexpectedly, and I have spent the last three years since the earthquake trying to honor Molly’s memory through fundraising efforts and return trips to Haiti. I have also fallen in love – deeply and desperately – with the country that lost so much on January 12, 2010. I’ve also fallen for an adorable orphan named Kervenson.

Kervenson lost his family on January 12, 2010 at the age of ten. He literally had no one, and was being abused in a tent city when NPH workers found him and brought him to the Angels of Light earthquake relief program. Once it was fully determined that Kervenson had no family left, he was transitioned to the permanent orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, where he lives in a gray house with pink trim, a dozen or so boys his same age, and a caregiver who is quick to smile and assure me that Kervenson is a well-behaved young man.

Kervenson and I first met in January 2011, when I returned to Haiti for the one-year anniversary of the earthquake to participate in celebrations and memorials. After the earthquake, through my own process of grief and recovery, I decided I wanted to sponsor a child who had somehow been traumatically affected by the earthquake. Kervenson certainly fit that description, and I detected remnants of his suffering in the shy, gangly child who was far too small to be ten years old. Despite spending multiple days together walking through the grounds and sharing the joys of a cold soda, Kervenson rarely spoke unless it was in hushed whispers, except to ask me when I would return.

I write this story during my fourth trip to Haiti after having visited Kervenson for a third time. The confident, tall, and polite twelve- year-old I just spent time with is almost unrecognizable from the sad child I met two years ago. Kervenson is learning English and jumped at the chance to practice greeting me in my language. He told me about his trip this last fall to Italy, where he visited Rome, met Andrea Bocelli, and walked onto the soccer field at FC Milan. He said thank you about fifteen times while opening his Christmas present and asked me to send him pictures and a book in English so he can continue to practice. This time, I couldn’t get him to stop talking. He showed me a watch from his godmother in Italy that he met during his trip, although he diplomatically assured me that I’m still his favorite godparent. And of course, he immediately asked me when I would return.

I can’t tell you that my sponsorship experience is selfless. My physical recovery from the earthquake was swift, but the emotional trauma of being trapped in rubble and losing my best friend was more difficult to shake. Having Kervenson in my life means that I have a family member who knows exactly what the earthquake felt like. It also means that Kervenson has someone all to himself – whom he doesn’t have to share with his 400 brothers and sisters in Kenscoff – that also understands the event that changed his life forever. I hope and dream for Kervenson that his experience in the earthquake is easier for him to shake. I want him to grow up knowing that he can be whoever he wants to be, and I want him to have the necessary support and encouragement to fulfill his potential. Especially after this last visit, the transformation that the Friends and NPH family has allowed Kervenson to undertake is amazing, astounding, and fulfills every hope and dream I have for him. I am blessed to be a small part in this transformation and I cannot wait to continue to support and love him as he realizes his own hopes and dreams.

Impressive Art Inspires Others to Support

Yevette, volunteer and talented artist, with her beautiful mural outside of the Upper Midwest Friends of the Orphans office in St. Paul, MN.

Last Spring Yevette came into the Friends of the Orphans office in St. Paul, MN merely looking for volunteer opportunities to fulfill a course requirement. Little did she (or we) know that her volunteer interest would produce such beautiful results and inspire others to support Friends and NPH. Yevette spent countless hours on her project. She researched national flowers from each of the nine countries of NPH. She sketched, painted, and perfected the impressive piece of artwork.

Not even the bitter cold weather could keep Yevette from finishing the beautiful mural that now adorns the entry way. Those of us associated with Minnesota in any way understand that the end of Fall and beginning of Winter severely limits outdoor activities, but not for Yevette. She was dedicated to finishing this amidst the chill before the worst of winter hit; gloves, hat, paintbrush, and all. We are so grateful for her commitment and creativity!

Now, as many people pass by the office, they often stop in admiration of her work. This intrigues these passerbys to learn more about our mission and help support the children of NPH! Yevette has created a beautiful talking piece as not only an entryway to our office, but as a way to engage new support from potential donors, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters.

The entire Friends of the Orphans’ Staff would like to THANK YOU very much for all of hard work, Yevette! You did a wonderful job and have inspired others by your work. We have loved working with you as a volunteer. Mil gracias! :)

Now not only was I writing and reading, but dreaming...

Below is a speech from Merlin Antunez from NPH Honduras. You will be amazed by his story. 

Today I will share with you my story of how I came to NPH and how it changed my life along with my brothers' lives forever. 

I come from a family where both of my parents only had an elementary education. My father was a farmer and my mother a housewife. My parents could not afford to send me to school and until the age of 6. I only had one day in kindergarten. The kindergarten also served as a grocery store or a movie theater depending on the day of the week. We had a decent life but could not afford the basics of medicine and food, and as a result I became ill and ended up in the hospital many times. I lost two brothers to pneumonia before they turned one year old. I remember holding onto my mother’s long dress as my father and some strangers buried my second brother who died of pneumonia, a moment I will never forget. Soon afterwards my father became very ill and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. We had to sell some of his belongings to pay for a local shaman’s advice since it was cheaper than a doctor. The medication that my father needed cost more than the average family’s income in Honduras. At that point we stopped having regular meals. The stress of my father’s illness soon caused my parents’ divorce in 1985. The court appointed full custody of my two brothers and I to my father. On that day my mother kissed me goodbye and I did not see her for another 10 years. Several months after the divorce my father realized he couldn't provide for us. He then made the decision that changed our lives forever. He asked a friend to take us to a transitional government orphanage in the capital, a 14 hour ride from our home, and left us there. At the orphanage we attended a public school for some months, but without love, attention and the basics of books, paper and pencils we didn't learn anything. It was a very difficult situation. 

We stayed there for 9 long months until the day we were blessed by a visit from Reinhart Kohler, co-founder of NPH Honduras. He came to the orphanage and we were chosen to be part of the first group of children to join the NPH family in Honduras. Looking back I can now say that was the luckiest day of our lives. 

It was a cold and foggy morning when I came with my two brothers to the home for the first time. When we arrived we were shown to our very own warm bed, and were given breakfast of pancakes with honey and butter, and to this day it is still my favorite meal. 

We were greeted by smiles and hugs from strangers whom were very happy to see us. From that day on I called NPH “home”. Although I had moments of sadness because my parents were gone, somehow at 6 years of age I understood I had other things to worry about like my future and planning out my life. I finally had the 24 hour a day support I needed from my new family and now I wanted to do more. 

I learned to read and write and was considered one of the best students in my class before the end of my first year at NPH. I visited my first grade teacher 20 years later and she still remembered me for being the intelligent but stubborn little boy with the curly hair. For the first couple of years NPH did not have its own school until I was in 3rd grade when I finally had a classroom to attend with my own chair, desk, notebooks, pencils, crayons, books, snacks and recess. What else can a child ask for? It became easy to succeed when you had loving support and are provided for every day. One day while playing on the tire hanging under the mango tree at my new home I decided I was going to study hard and become a doctor so I could help my sick father. 

When I made the decision to become a doctor I did not keep it a secret, I told my friends and the people taking care of me, “Listen, I have decided to become a Doctor. Maybe I can heal my father,” I said those words as if it was a treasure I had just found on my way to the bus that would take me to school that morning and repeated it all the time. Caregivers and friends were very supportive of me. Just a few short months before I could not even write my name, now not only was I writing and reading but dreaming. I knew I wanted to make a difference, and in my new home I knew I would get the support I needed to make my dreams come true. 

During my time at the home I had wonderful Godparents from Germany, Holland, United States and Switzerland. My God Mother Renata and I still keep in touch. I met her 16 years after sponsoring me when I had the chance to go to Germany. It was an amazing day and I had a wonderful time and I thanked her often for sending me the delicious chocolates in my childhood. 

I finished my first nine years of school while also learning English and German from my caregivers at NPH. For high school I was given a full scholarship to a private school in the city. After high school I did my three years of service at NPH, the third one as a nurse assistant at the NPH clinic. With the support of NPH I attended the National University of Honduras and graduated in 2009 as a general physician. For the next two years most of my patients were the children of NPH (my brothers and sisters) and the villagers. The villagers received medical attention and medication practically for free, one of the many ways NPH shares with the community. During those 2 years I had the opportunity to follow up with patients that had orthopedic surgeries at NPH surgery center; it was then that I fell in love with orthopedics. In December 2010 I decided to become an orthopedic surgeon. I still have 14 more months before I accomplish that goal. 

26 years have passed since I entered my home at NPH. When people ask me if I think if I made the right decision to become a doctor working for low income areas, I smile and say I have no doubts at all. I really enjoy working for people in need; the best way they can pay me is with a smile. My favorite patients are the poor ones that are humbling and tell me their heart-breaking stories. Their relatives sleep on the floor next to them, often bringing them meals since the government cannot afford their medication, tests, or a physician. 

Every story I hear reminds me how much I have been blessed by NPH. I work at least 90 hours a week with no regrets. I love what I do. I love being a doctor. I am a living example that NPH helps so many children and families. NPH gave me an opportunity to change my life forever and I took advantage of it, and so did my two younger siblings. One is now an English professor and a father, the other one is an electrical engineer. Perhaps you will be surprised to hear that none of our generations in the past five centuries had a University degree. 

Following the values Father Wasson instilled in us we have managed to heal deep wounds. Today I help cover my father’s expenses and I also provide him with medicine every month. My brothers and I are currently working together to build a new safe home for our family. We reunited for the first time as a whole family after 24 years. Of course none of our dreams would come true without your generosity and unconditional support. I achieved my dreams! I DID IT! And I know my little brothers and sisters still at the home can too with a bit of faith from you, and for that I thank you from the very bottom of my heart.

The whole time I wished I was back at NPH...

Below is a story from wonderful Friend and sponsor, Tatum Zeitchick.

My name is Tatum and I’m 15 years old. I have a Godson at NPH Nicaragua named Alex. He is 9 years old and very loving. My best friend the summer of 2012 asked me to tag along with her to Nicaragua. In my head I was thinking "Tanning, Beaches, And Boys!" Soon I found out that we were going to be staying at an orphanage, which I was thrilled about, but also a little nervous because I do not speak Spanish!

In the first hour we arrived I met Alex. He was on my friend Kent's back and had stolen his baseball hat. He was saying he was some famous Nicaraguan baseball player. I started to make conversation with him. Through my friend, of course, who knew Spanish. I connected with him right away and we never left each other’s side the whole time I was there. The departure was devastating. I had tears in my eyes as I hugged him goodbye not knowing if I would ever see him again. He looked at me and said in English when will you come back? I told him I hope soon.

I then got to enjoy the sunny beaches at San Juan Del Sur, but the whole time I wished I was back at NPH. The second I walked in the door of my home after I returned to Minnesota, I asked my mom to take me to the Friends of the Orphans office. I walked in and asked to sponsor Alex. They gave me a picture and info on him, and I was so happy that I would be able to write to him! I went home and wrote probably three letters and sent them that day.

The month after I left NPH, it crossed my mind that I wanted to go back!! I started searching for flights and talked to the visitor coordinator on Facebook about dates that I could come back. I talked to my mom about it and asked if she would want to come down with me. I planned the whole trip and paid for both tickets because money was tight. After three long plane rides I was finally in Managua, Nicaragua. Just an hour away from seeing Alex and all the wonderful kids!

I finally got to NPH and ran to Alex’s house. I walked in and a child named Roberto recognized me right away and gave me a huge hug. The other kids then went yelling for Alex. Alex didn't know I was coming back to visit at this time. The look on his face was priceless and amazing. He kind of just stood there not really processing it that I was really there. After he did, he ran up to me and jumped in my arms. He then took me to his room and lifted up his mattress and pulled out all the letters and pictures I sent him. We then walked around the orphanage and all I could hear was "Tatiana!!" (my Spanish name). I will never forget that day. I stayed at NPH for five days, then it was time to go home. As of now, a month later, I am planning my next trip in June and cannot wait.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 from NPH Bolivia!

1. In 2012 NPH Bolivia focused on getting sustainable projects off the ground and running. The children began to plant a vegetable garden this spring, which now yields a considerable harvest. They have been working with an agricultural expert to learn how to run the garden independently. About twenty of the older children are being trained in special leadership workshops to teach the other children and surrounding community members sustainable agriculture practices. 

2. This year we were able to buy a flock of "Ovejas de Pelo," short-haired sheep adapted to the climate in places like Bolivia. We expect the sheep to multiply and eventually help enrich the menu at the orphanage. Our new flock of sheep has begun teaching the children new responsibilities and how to care for livestock. 

3. The Austrian Embassy in Lima began funding a reforestation project on our NPH Bolivia site this year. The benefits are numerous. Most noticeably, the fruit- and shade-bearing trees--which now occupy a formerly deforested area--work to enhance the quality of life. This project allows the children to visually learn about the great benefits of sustainability. 

4. The connection between sponsors and godchildren has grown stronger and deeper this year. In contrast to previous years, we’ve had several godparents from other countries visit NPH Bolivia in 2012 to spend time with the children they sponsor. We feel very fortunate that sponsors are willing to travel to our home. 

5. The connection between NPH Bolivia and other NPH homes has also grown stronger and deeper in 2012. Three of our older children participated in important NPHI leadership workshops at other homes. Two of them went to Guatemala and one of them went to Honduras; we also sent an older child to the NPH-wide soccer tournament in Mexico. Thanks to these travel privileges, the children have felt more like part of the global NPH community, which was at first difficult to achieve because of NPH Bolivia’s remote location.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 from NPH Peru!

1. This year, we were able to inaugurate our 7th house which functions as the third boys´ house. 16 of our boys can now move in and make space in the other two houses which were full. Now, everyone can feel more comfortable and have more space. Additionally  sidewalks now connect all the houses and the National Director´s house, as well as a volunteers´ house were completed. 

2. We were able to build 17 tables and 34 benches where our children can now study and eat together. We were also able to plant more than 150 trees and grass around all our houses to beautify the space. 

3. We secured an agreement with a private pedagogical institute this year. The students that are about to graduate in Pedagogical Science are now able to complete their university internship at NPH Peru. They provide tutoring to our children daily. In this way we help the students with real work experience while the students give back to our home and teach our children free of charge. 

4. We were able to install a water treatment system that allows us to drink water safely straight from the tap. Our water was contaminated by bacteria and parasites, as it is in almost all of Peru. This put our children´s health at risk. Now, everybody can drink as much water as they need safely, and we save a significant amount of money because we don´t have to buy bottled water. 

5. This year we were able to get some local donations from the regional government in Cañete. They provide us with rice, tuna, sugar, beans, oil and other important ingredients that help feed our growing children.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 from NPH Dominican Republic!

1. In June, we graduated the entire eighth grade class at our home! These fifteen students proudly wore their caps and gowns and celebrated their educational accomplishments with the entire NPH Dominican Republic family. This is our fourth year in a row with 100% of the eight graders passing their national exams. We could not be more pleased with our students and their hard work. In addition to this accomplishment, we now offer 9th and 10th grade at our on-site NPH School. In the upcoming years we hope to offer all grades at our school. 

2. In July we celebrated the first high school graduation of two of our female students. Mireya and Débora graduated with their peers from their nearby high school in San Pedro de Macoris and afterwards celebrated with their friends and family from NPH. They are both now in their year of service. Mireya is working as Activities Coordinator, and Débora has taken on several roles in the NPH School. Both young ladies have big plans for university, and we plan on supporting them as much as we can so they achieve their goals. 

3. In February we hosted the NPH International Family Weekend for the first time. Event Coordinator and longtime NPH supporter, Katherine Harig, organized an incredible week for sponsors, staff and supporters from all of the NPH homes and offices. Our visitors experienced the culture of the Dominican Republic, the home and most importantly, got to meet and spend time with our children. 

4. In late January we completed the construction of our new multipurpose center. We now use this building frequently for family dinners, performances, and celebrations, or on a rainy day when we need a space for activities. 

5. Thanks to the support of donors like you, we are proud to say each house in our home now enjoys a mini-library stocked with over a hundred books in each and aimed at the age and gender of each house. The children really enjoy reading, and now with their new mini-libraries, they are able to find the joy of reading on their own terms.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 from NPH El Salvador!

1. Once again we had the opportunity to plant corn crops, which is a great help for our home economy. We had 18 corn crops planted, which will be enough to make tortillas for the coming year! We also successfully planted the next quantity of vegetables in our home. (Total: 18 corn crops 15 sorghum crops 0.25 cucumber crop)  

2. We have 12 cows that produce 110 milk bottles daily. We use the milk for our babies, and also part of the milk is used to make cheese and cream that our other children consume. Currently, we have a total of 32 cows and plan to continue to grow to cover more than half of the milk needs in our home to head towards self-sufficiency.

3. In 2012, we had the opportunity to see the first Pequeños of NPH El Salvador graduate from professional school! In March, Matilde was the first young lady to graduate from Nursing school, and Elena graduated in September! 

4. This year 12 of our youths will be graduating from high school. We are very proud of them, and we know that after their year of service to the home, they are going to be ready for the great journey of starting a professional career for their future. Also, we are very proud that to report 49 youths continue studying for their careers at the university level, including three that are studying in the United States. 

5. Our Chorus and Dance group, which includes 18 of our children between the ages of 11 and 19, was able to go to Boston and Minnesota for the “Pequeño Tour” in 2012. It was wonderful to have this experience to share some of their culture with people from another country.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 at NPH Guatemala!

1. In July our university students received their new house in the capital, Guatemala City. This new house not only provides more space for our current students, but it also allows space for future student who will start their studies in the future!

2. This year NPH Guatemala introduced a new school system. This new system allows the children to go to school in the morning, break for lunch, and then return to school afterwards when they can receive extra tutoring and get their homework done. This has proved to be very effective for our children, and the home is looking into ways to improve this even further.

3. We have been able to start the construction for our new visitor’s housing. The idea is to have a visitor complex on-site in the future, which will allow for more visitors and more activities with the children.

4. In September we had our second pequeño accepted into the leadership program in Seattle. Jacinto has now been in the United States for two months and we could not be prouder of him! .

5. Twenty-four pequeños from our home have been accepted to study at the university level in the upcoming year. This is the largest number of students who have been accepted at the same time to attend university in our history! They have selected various areas of study and are ready to continue their exciting journeys to better themselves.

Top 5 Accomplishments of 2012 at NPH Nicaragua!

1. NPH Nicaragua successfully moved the administration office with all the staff from San Jorge to Jintope, Casa Padre Wasson, guaranteeing closer contact for the office personnel directly with the projects, the employees of Casa Padre Wasson and with all the kids! In this way, all the communications and the job procedures are more direct and quality and speed is improved. 

2. The agricultural production improved greatly at Casa Santiago (Ometepe Island). With the focus on field productions, NPH Nicaragua was able to convert the use of the property of Casa Santiago in the most economical advantagous way after the moving of the kids into Casa Padre Wasson. Also the production at Casa Asis (San Jorge) and Casa Padre Wasson increased greatly with a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. 

3. The building of the two workshops are now complete. These workshops will provide a perfect environment for various technical training's,  for example: welding, painting, reparation, and sewing. The workshops provide training to the kids and at the same time an internal source of services to increase the autonomy of Casa Padre Wasson.  

4. A various number of construction and renovation works got underway at Casa Padre Wasson this year. The construction and preparation of the new soccer field was finished and proved to be a great venue for hosting the International Soccer Tournament this past November! All the green areas and gardens have been improved, cleaned and embellished. A long sidewalk now provides a safe walking path to the main areas of the property avoiding problems during the rainy season. The visitor’s house now has solar panels, which provide hot water for the visitors. 

5. Thanks to numerous workshops and seminars, now every worker of NPH (Caregivers, Directors, volunteers, office personnel and technical workers) is able to use the philosophy and the life of Father Wasson in everyday life and work. This training provided a greater knowledge of our organization and mission.