Monday, May 11, 2015

Eyes Wide Open: A Teen's Reflection on Her Wonderful Visit to NPH Dominican Republic

Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, IL) Junior MelRose Buckler shares this touching story of her extended family's recent visit to NPH Dominican Republic and how she was inspired by what she experienced while there.




When I first found out that I, along with my entire family (mom, brother, sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmother and her husband!), was going to visit an orphanage while in the Dominican Republic, I didn’t know what to expect.  We were accompanying my grandma and her husband on a visit to meet Gastón* for the first time (the godchild that she was sponsoring).  But then, within minutes of walking with our tour guide and seeing “pequeños” run up to greet us, I saw just how welcoming and friendly NPH was. 

Our whole family—about 20 of us—received a tour of the Casa Santa Ana village.  We saw the kitchen, the therapy house, school, playground and soccer fields, and the houses where the children lived.  My cousin and I went to a house with 10- and 12-year-old girls and spent time with them, eating lunch and seeing their bedrooms and toys. 

The most memorable part for me was when the girls discovered Altoids.  While a few of the girls and I were kicking around a beach ball in the playground, one of our new friends saw Altoids in my aunt’s purse.  Being curious, she asked for one, received the tin and started to evenly distribute them to all her friends.  After they were all distributed, the girls excitedly tried what they anticipated was a bit of sweet candy. But, instead, they shuddered and cringed because of the “picante” flavor.  We all laughed as I tried to tell them that the spicy flavor was very strong peppermint. 

Although my experience at NPH was short, it still allowed me to see the great facilities and how the children were getting the help and love that every child needs—they gain possibilities for a better future.  Going in not sure what to expect, I came out with my eyes opened.  The facilities that the children have access to allow them to grow and learn, and small things, like “spicy” mints bring such big smiles to their faces. 

The brief experience that I had at NPH Dominican Republic was truly inspirational and made me realize that even with age differences, language differences and differences in life experiences, you can still make real connections. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing mints.

*Name changed to protect privacy.





Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Meet Some New Children at NPH Honduras and Consider Becoming a Sponsor!

In the last months of 2014, the Honduran version of Childcare Services, IHNFA, was closed down by the government. Most IHNFA programs were promptly shut down or restructured, including the government children’s homes and some of the foster programs. NPH Honduras was greatly involved in negotiations and discussions with the new authorities in order to respond to the needs of the children who had previously been part of these programs. As a result, NPH Honduras has received more than 60 new children between November and December of 2014 as part of new agreements! These children are in need of sponsors and we'd like for you to meet 8 of them below. * All names of the children have been changed to protect their privacy.

ALBERTO: 











Alberto* is 10 and he and his brother joined our family on December 10, 2014.  A total of 45 children came to us that day!

Alberto says:
“If I won $1 million dollars, I would give it to the poor. My heroes are my caregivers and my friend Angel. If I could change anything in the world, it would be that people wouldn’t throw trash everywhere and contaminate the water. If I could have any superpower, it would be Spiderman powers to save people. I like NPH very much, here, there is no need to fight and steal.”

To sponsor him, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor


ANGELINA:













Angelina* is 13.  She joined our NPH family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children!

Angelina says:
“If I won $1 million, I would gift it to my mother.  My dad is my hero. If I could change anything in this world, it would be that we all live in peace. If I could have any superpower, it would be to make all of my loved ones happy. In the future, I want to be a primary school teacher. I like NPH very much, I have the possibility to study now.”

To sponsor her, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

BENITO:












Benito* is 12 and has 2 siblings at NPH.  He joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Benito says:
“Spiderman and Batman are my heroes. If I could have any superpower, it would be Spiderman powers to save people. If I could change anything in the world, it would be that everyone would have clothes and be happy. My dreams for the future are to study in college, have work and be happy.” 

To sponsor him, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

JOSE:











Jose* is 12 years old.  He joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Jose says:
“My dream for the future is to be a soccer player. Just God, is my hero. If I could change anything in the world, I would change the danger here in Honduras. If I could have any superpower, it would be invincibility, to save people.  Do I like NPH and has it changed my life? Very, very much.”

To sponsor him, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

MARIA:











Maria* is 16 years old.  She has two brothers at NPH.  She joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Maria says:
“If I won 1 million dollars I would donate it to poor children. My hero is my caregiver Mirna. If I could change anything in the world, it would be to make people stop dying. If I could have any power, it would be the power to make miracles happen. I like NPH very much. The help and advice from my caregivers support me a lot. In the future, I dream of becoming a professional trade expert.”

To sponsor her, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

CARMINA:











Carmina* is 14 years old.  She joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Carmina says:
“If I could change anything in the world, it would be that everybody would just say the truth.  My hero is superman.  If I could have any superpower, it would be Spiderman superpowers to save people.  I like NPH very much, it changed my life, it is much better here.  My dream for the future is to go to college.”

To sponsor her, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

EDGAR:











Edgar* is 11 and is the brother of Alberto* who we also feature above. He joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Edgar says:
“If I won 1 million dollars, I would buy a house for my family.  Power Rangers are my heroes.  If I could have any superpower, I would want laser beams to save people.  If could change anything in the world, I would paint all of the walls pretty so that all of the houses were beautiful.” 

To sponsor him, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor

JUAN:











Juan* is 12 years old and has 2 sisters and 1 brother.  He joined our family on December 10, 2014 with a total of 45 children.

Juan says:
“If I won 1 million dollars I would buy a house to share with my siblings.  My caregiver, Rafa, and my brother are my heroes. My dream for the future is to work as a soccer player.”

To sponsor him, visit www.nphusa.org/sponsor