"I have never felt more welcomed into someone’s home in my life..."

Below is a blog post written by India Zietsman Donor Relations Manager in the Midwest Region - enjoy!

I started working as the Donor Relations Manager of our NPH USA Minneapolis office on March 9^th, 2020. Even before that first day at the office, I dreamt about my first trip to one of our NPH homes. I knew that traveling was part of the job when I applied and it was a highlight of the job description for me. I value that NPH USA sends their fundraising employees to visit the homes so that we have a deep understanding of our work.  

During my onboarding, I spoke with numerous co-workers to learn all about my day-to-day work as well as the general mission of NPH. When coworkers spoke about our programs and kids, they lit up. They explained that there’s something intangible and indescribable that makes NPH truly special. Every co-worker would say, “When you visit a NPH home, you’ll understand.” 

My third day in the office, my boss Stephanie and I decided I would plan to visit NPH Guatemala and NPH Nicaragua during the summer of 2020. However, as we all watched the world shut down with the arrival of the pandemic, I knew my chances to visit a NPH home in 2020 were extremely low. 

Fast forward a year and a half. The United States is slowly opening up with the arrival of the vaccine. My co-workers are buzzing because finally, we are planning our first trip to a NPH home since the pandemic hit. And guess who’s on the list of attendees? ME! I truly screamed with joy when I found out that I’d be traveling to NPH Honduras in August 2021. I had watched all of the videos on NPH USA and NPH International’s YouTube accounts. I had read almost every article, webpage and brochure about our programs and our kids. I had learned as much as I possibly could from afar. After a year and a half, I’d be able to experience it all in-person. 

I have never been more overwhelmed with both joy and nerves at the same time in my life. A million questions came up: What did I need to do to prepare for this trip? Would the kids like me? Would the kids be excited to meet us? Would my Spanish (which I hadn’t used in 5 years) come back? And many more that I’m too embarrassed to admit in a blog post.  

We landed in Honduras at 3pm on a Tuesday and began driving to NPH Honduras, also known as the Ranch. Everyone who’s been to Honduras knows that driving there is slightly terrifying. Cars don’t just drive with a purpose there… they drive aggressively; constantly trying to overtake slower cars ahead of them on one-way roads. When we arrived at the Ranch, I think we were all grateful to be off the highway and inside the gates of the safe, gorgeous, calming property. We were also in awe of the enormous size of the Ranch. I got lost almost every time I walked around up until the last day of our trip. 

After three days of quarantine and a negative rapid COVID test, we could finally meet and spend time with the pequeños. Once again, my nerves and joy took over. I could feel myself shaking with anticipation. My first night with the kids, I had dinner with some of the older girls in their hogar, which is Spanish for “home”. When I stepped through the door, all of the girls ran up to me. They immediately gave me hugs, said “hello” or “hola” and asked me to come sit and eat with them. They were so excited to have me there and talk with me in my rusty Spanish. I have never felt more welcomed into someone’s home in my life. After dinner, they convinced me to dance and sing with them to American songs. I typically refuse to sing in-front of ANYONE. But looking into their eyes and hearing their pleas, I couldn’t say no. 

I walked back to the visitor’s center that night with the biggest smile on my face. My heart was overflowing with love for the girls I had met. They were all incredible. They immediately opened up to me – telling me about themselves, sharing laughs, and asking me all about myself. Now that I have had time to reflect, I recognize that I’ve never experienced anything like it in the United States. I was a stranger to these girls when I first arrived but left their home as a friend, as a member of their family. 

Hogar after hogar that I visited each day after that first dinner with the girls, I had the same experience. Kids running up to me just to offer a hug and say hello while I walked past the playground. Kids yelling my name as they watched me walk by their home. Kids sharing their passions and interests with me either through words or actions. I fell in love with all of them. I finally understood what my co-workers meant when they said, “When you visit a NPH home, you’ll understand.” 

I now have seen with my own eyes that NPH is truly unlike any other organization. NPH understands that every one of our kids is special and unique. While in Honduras, we were asked to describe NPH in two words. My words were holistic and human. I knew about our holistic programs before traveling to Honduras. I had read that they encourage our kids to be fully themselves, and that they have the power to empower. However, I only connected to the deep humanity of our work when I met our kids. Meeting them has given me a face to think about when I talk about our work. Today, I sit in my office and smile knowing that the work I’m doing is supporting them: those kids with beautiful dreams, incredible talents and huge hearts. 

"Lessons Learned During My Visit to NPH Honduras"

Below is a blog post written by Gail Taylor, NPH USA's Northwest Regional Board Chair!

I was fortunate to visit the NPH Honduras ranch for the first time with 22 children and adults from the Northwest this past July. Before the trip, I’d heard dozens of first-hand accounts that NPH changed their lives. I had high expectations.

My favorite morning was spent with first graders in Montessori class. We attended open air PE class, where they laughed at my limbo efforts. We snacked on oranges, then went inside. The pequeños kept quiet and knew what to expect. At tables, the assistant teacher handpicked flash card sets, tailoring the exercise to fit each student’s reading level. They wanted me to watch them read their flash cards. One boy began writing in his writing book. I sat with this precious boy as he wrote. Next, the teacher gathered the pequeños by the bulletin board where she taught Spanish.

The first moment I decided NPH Honduras is better than advertised was when I was looking around the perimeter of the classroom and I saw a red concrete-like floor, faint green walls and high ceilings. I focused on the Montessori style stations, equipped with wooden shelves of library books, blocks, abacuses, flags, flashcards, writing books. Maps, posters and children’s art hung on the walls. The variety of materials appealed to sensory, visual and auditory learning styles. The stations incorporated math, Spanish, English, reading, writing, religion, geography, history and biology. This classroom wasn’t as pretty or new as the Bellevue classrooms I’ve seen. But it functioned effectively. This classroom was equipped to help these pequeños develop order, concentration, coordination and independence. Both teachers had a tighter grip on the pequeños’ attention than I saw in classrooms at home. That was the moment I realized my high expectations of NPH were exceeded. These pequeños are getting a good education that will serve them years after they depart the ranch.

Other lessons I learned:

• It is possible for hundreds of children to be happy and well behaved at one time. I saw the effects that love, caring and acceptance have on children who once struggled to survive. I saw children play, study and do chores. It was heart-warming to give hugs and watch youngsters jockey to hold my hand, ask me to blow up their balloons and give high fives. 
• NPH always has a good reason. Our travel group did not always understand a few shortcomings and rules at first. But NPH staff answered our questions and justified their priorities and allocation of resources. The extra services we wished could be offered were unavailable because of financial constraints. 
• NPH’s programs have a deeper and more lasting impact than I had understood. Every NPH graduate gives back through a year of volunteer service. But I did not realize 20% of the current staff grew up at NPH because of donations during the 1980s and 1990s. I met an impressive sample: the head Montessori teacher, her husband, another teacher, a lawyer, 2 doctors and 2 alumnae from our Seattle Leadership Institute Program. 
• Daily operations and programs allow each of the pequeños an opportunity to achieve his/her potential. Preschoolers and elementary students learn the Montessori method. All pequeños lead an orderly life with responsibilities of homework and twice daily chores. Children receive vocational training that will lead to a well paying job. Those who are capable can attend a university. Medical needs are met with a state of the art medical clinic and surgery center affiliated with NPH. Special needs pequeños receive individualized attention. NPH offers an alumnae network office where alumnae seek practical job-hunting help and emotional support.
• Vocational training programs and resources do double duty by fulfilling current needs. Pequeños from the NPH cobbler shop make all school shoes, and the shoes are impressive. Pequeños from the tailor shop create all school uniforms. Workshop trainees help maintain the facilities. Animals on the ranch provide dairy and meat.
• NPH is well respected in Honduras and has earned multiple awards. The government relies upon NPH to help vulnerable children and their families.

Thank you to our NW staff (Ross, Glory, Anna and Abbey) and Donna Egge for ensuring that our group had an exceptional visit.

Haiti’s capital sinks into violence...

Below is a first-person story from Haiti, written by Cassagnol Destine, Project Coordinator of NPH Haiti about the current situation.

 

An NPH staff member describes the situation in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince and how NPH is supporting the people

 

At two in the afternoon I get into an ambulance, together with other staff from the NPH St Damien Pediatric Hospital. We’re taking them to the areas where they live. Ambulances are the only means of transport respected by the demonstrators. On the way back we’ll pick up other staff and injured people.

 

The situation is chaotic. It doesn’t take long until we encounter the first roadblock. We slowly drive up to it. Everyone holds their breath, but then we’re allowed through without delay. On our way to the next blockade a group of about 250 people races towards us. They indicate to us that we shouldn’t try to go any further, but we need to get past the roadblock and drop off some of our passengers so that they can make their way home on foot through the narrow alleyways.

 

Tear gas, stones, and gunshots

 

The driver presses slowly onwards. He cranks down the window and talks to the demonstrators. They say that a confrontation between the police and looters has escalated. The police are using tear gas, rocks are being thrown, and there have been gunshots, though no one knows from which side. Then we see the blockades, the burning tires, and a small group of police trying to keep the situation under control. The police are exhausted from constantly being on duty; they are utterly outnumbered. Finally we manage to drop off all the staff without incident and pick up more passengers.

 

Breaking point on the street

 

Not all vehicles get away so easily. Another one arrived at a barricade just as the police had shot dead a youth who was throwing stones. The outraged crowd wanted the ambulance to transport the body. The ambulance, however, was already at full capacity, and the shooting would in any case have to be investigated.

 

The people exploded in rage. They took the ambulance hostage until finally some demonstrators recognized the NPH hospital name and defended the staff on board.

 

When the ambulance finally set off, rocks were thrown, smashing the rear windshield and seriously injuring one woman passenger. At that stage every second counted, because every new reaction could put the lives of all the staff at risk. With support via radio, the shocked driver maneuvered his way out of danger and brought the injured woman to the nearest hospital.

 

It’s all about family

 

The injured woman was Mary, our cook. She cooks for not only the staff, but also the children in the wards. Her capability and her love for the children are worth more than words can express. Many parents of children receiving treatment are so poor that they can’t afford to bring food into the hospital for their children. The same evening an ambulance collected Mary and brought her to a safe place, our partner organization St. Luke Hospital in Tabarre.

 

The ambulance driver was told to take a few days off. The next day he was nonetheless at his post by the hospital entrance. He said, “This is no time for quitting. We’ll get through this together.” It’s at times like this that I have a strong feeling that we’re not just a team of staff members, but a family—the NPH family.

Ambulance on a street in Port-au-Prince

 

NPH's St. Damien Pediatric Hospital

 

People waiting for water deliveries

 

I got to meet new people who became part of my family through love...

Below is a blog post by Molly Deinhart. Molly is 15 years old and from Knoxville, Tennessee. Last November, she visited NPH El Salvador on a Vision Trip. Here's what she had to say! 

 

This fall, I went on two trips. The first was to see friends and family, and to meet new members of my family. Once we arrived, we ate dinner, talked about new and exciting things that had happened in each of our lives, and waited in anticipation for events that would come later in the week. My family ate a large meal and was entertained. We danced together, we played ping-pong against each other, had a small soccer game, flew kites together, and ate delicious food as one big family. We opened up to one another and celebrated grand events together. We celebrated mass as a family and sang songs together. We showed our love for each other in various ways, such as teasing and complimenting each other, sharing experiences, and smiling together.

 

Now, I bet you wouldn’t believe that this family wasn’t created through blood or marriage, it was created through love. We were all different but connected. We were connected through God and through love. This all happened about a month ago at NPH El Salvador, not in the United States like you might have thought.

 

It was a day with warm weather, and a cool breeze, the sun’s rays were shining upon the ground, and children’s laughter rang out around us. We were surrounded by family and friends, happiness filled my heart, it seized my emotions and didn’t let go. On our first full day at the establishment, we arrived at NPH, and some children came to see us arrive, and they were so excited for us to be there, beaming in happiness. My family’s godchild was one of the kids that came to greet us. Our godson is 15 years old which is the same age as me. We talked with him for a while, trying to convert our minds to speaking Spanish instead of English. It was hard at first, but the more that I talked, the more easily it came to me. All of us went up to the soccer field where there was already a small soccer game going on with a mixture of Pequeños and Americans playing together. There were also some of the younger girls and boys flying kites and running around, screaming and laughing. It was truly amazing to see these children having so much fun. My dad, our godson, and I sat on the side of the field, just talking, for a really long time. My dad and our godson walked around the field while I went to fly kites with some of the little girls.

 

Unfortunately, after that, we had to leave. However, we were going into the city, Santa Ana, to visit the college students from NPH. We were greeted with a very warm welcome, receiving hugs, introductions, a tour, and great food. We ate dinner in an open-air courtyard and everyone bonded more deeply. My dad and I sat at a table with two young women and a young man. We sat there for a few hours, talking and laughing.

 

That week, I got to meet new people who became part of my family through love. I created much deeper bonds than I had ever hoped or imagined was possible. That week before Thanksgiving, I found more and more people to be thankful for and I also was given more people in my family to pray for each day. So, for my first trip, I went to visit my family in El Salvador. Then, the next week, was my second trip in which I traveled to Chicago and saw my aunts and uncles for Thanksgiving. Both trips were family focused and beautiful in their own way.

 

 

 

 

Returning to Guatemala

Below is a testimonial from Elizabeth Lanham, one of the leaders of a recent Mid-Atlantic/Northeast regional trip to NPH Guatemala. 

As a former volunteer at NPH Guatemala, I find myself inextricably linked to the kids I once lived beside. Since they are in my thoughts and prayers daily, I feel they are never far from my heart. However, this past week I was privileged to return for a visit and this time with a group from Virginia. We spent the majority of our time talking, playing, eating, smiling and praying alongside the children.

I think in our busy western culture we often forget that the most important part of relationships is not what we do but who we are. Most mission trips are about building or fixing. This trip was about spending time with the kids, being authentically present. Did we work while we there? Yes, of course. But it is not what made this trip meaningful. We find that in God. For God is love. And love is what makes us a part of the family we call Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos.

 

 

 

The kindness and joy I experienced was truly contagious...

Below is a testimonial from Jack Theobald who visited NPH Dominican Republic on an NPH USA immersion trip with his sister, cousins, and Aunt!

 

In March 2018, I went on my first trip to the NPH house in the Republica Dominicana. It was a new experience for me, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone. The fact that I was going to live with over 200 strangers and that I didn't speak any Spanish worried me. I thought it was going to be hard to get settled in and feel welcome.

I was so wrong. I was the only boy in our group of 13 people, so I had an especially fun time playing with the boys here of all ages. It was a constant sports-fest, playing soccer for a couple hours everyday, basketball with some of the older boys, and throwing around a baseball. The young boys especially played with such joy that it brought a smile to my face. The kids there were so welcoming and nice to us, it caught me by surprise the first day. There is such a big difference between the culture in America and the Republica Dominicana. The people there are so much more open and kind with each other, and everything is so community based. It was nice to know that everyone cared for each other.

Even though I don’t speak Spanish, that didn’t stop the kids from coming up to me, grabbing my hand and motioning for me to come and play, or to just simply color with them or give them piggy backs. If I had to describe my experience with the boys, I would say it was like being used as a human jungle-gym. The boys there were filled with so much energy that they would climb on my back and ask me to lift them up on monkey bars or do push-ups with them on my back. Every night I would go back to the visitors' house exhausted but smiling with happiness.

Even while being sweaty and tired, being at NPH was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me. The kindness, happiness, and perseverance that I witnessed while spending time there was shocking to me. For example, I met Miguel, a 20-year-old who is in his year of service. He has been at NPH since he was 5, and during that time he taught himself how to play piano and guitar and to sing and write music. He has a beautiful voice that I was lucky enough to hear live. The fact that he taught himself these amazing skills through sheer determination was truly inspiring to me.

When I came to NPH, I thought that I was going to have to work hard trying to give to everyone here. However, the kindness and joy I experienced was truly contagious. I would like to thank everyone at NPH for welcoming me and my group with open arms, and hopefully, I will be back to visit soon.

It was amazing to hear what some of them had been through and yet, at NPH, they were able to just be kids...

Below is a post from supporter Victoria Fortune who recently visited NPH Dominican Republic! Here's what she had to say:

 

Four years ago, my daughter’s eighth grade Spanish teacher led a group of students on an immersion trip to the NPH (Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos) home in the Dominican Republic. This year, on my daughter’s fourth trip back, she invited me along. I got to meet her adorable godchild who we’ve sponsored since her first trip, and to experience firsthand the place that has had such an impact on her. It was clear to see why. NPH is a special place, where adults and children alike are quick to greet you with a smile and a hug. Their warmth and friendliness are infectious. 

The facilities at Casa Santa Ana are quite impressive, including a large greenhouse, a medical clinic, two separate school buildings, and family-style homes where the children live in groups of up to 20, with a Tia to look after them. We spent mornings working in the kitchen, the gardens, with the disabled children, or helping build a house in one of the nearby bateys, which gave us an opportunity to interact with adults and learn more about their lives. But my favorite part of the day was the afternoons when school let out and we got to play with the children in the beautifully landscaped park that runs down the center of the compound. I loved listening to their joyful voices and laughter as they danced and sang, colored and made bracelets, played basketball or cards. 

It was amazing to hear what some of them had been through and yet, at NPH, they were able to just be kids. Watching the teenagers chip in to look out for the younger ones and hearing about their dreams for the future was a testament to NPH’s success in instilling positive values such as respect and responsibility. 

I was impressed by NPH’s commitment not only to the children and community within their walls, but to the community outside their walls as well. They are remarkably nimble in their community outreach, from doing medical, education and social work in the surrounding bateys, to helping build homes for locals, to offering families assistance to enable children to return home when circumstances allow. Being able to contribute to an organization like NPH, that is so dedicated to lifting people up in whatever way it can, is truly uplifting. 

 

 

 

 

Three Generations of Giving

Introduction note from Steve Schmidt, Development Manager, Upper Midwest Office:

The following benefactor story comes to us from a sibling of the Konz Family, Ms. Judith Koeppler.  When I first reached out to Ms. Koeppler I asked how she first became involved with NPH and she shared one of the most beautiful stories of family-philanthropy I have heard to date.  To honor her parents and her family I said I would follow-up with a few photos from NPH.  In the picture, I had the honor of presenting Ms. Koeppler and the Konz Family with this photo book.  In this article Ms. Koeppler tells that story of their family-philanthropy and how the joy of philanthropy continues to be passed down in her family, generation to generation, benefitting organizations like NPH.  Please enjoy this wonderful story! 

Written by Judith Koeppler on behalf of the Konz Family:

When you think of a family tradition, especially during the Christmas holidays, you think of eating, celebrating, trees, lights and togetherness. Our family has added a new tradition and that is philanthropy.

It all started with Anne and Larry Konz and their strong commitment to their Catholic faith, Catholic education and their love of travel. They traveled all over the world, but their favorite country was Mexico. They loved the countryside, the people and the culture. Prior to one of their trips in the late 1950’s, Father Ray Zagorski, a priest at their church in Appleton, WI, told them about Father Wasson and the orphanage that he established. They made plans to meet him and see the orphanage. As always, they brought a couple of duffel bags full of clothes to give to the children. They were impressed and stayed in the local village to learn more about Father Wasson’s vision and decided that they like the philosophy he embodied for the families of the children. All children from one family would never be separated. All of the children were educated and worked on the farmland to help produce food and embrace communal living.

The Konz family quickly grew to a family with nine children. The entire family learned from early on that you cherish your family and bring sunshine to those less fortunate. It can be a smile, a bouquet of flowers or a home cooked meal.

The meeting of Father Wasson and the children started a friendship that lasted for years. Anne and Larry sponsored one little boy for years who finally graduated from College. Judie and Maribeth, two of their kids, were fortunate to meet this young man in Mexico City in 1980. He was all smiles and so very grateful for the opportunities the Konz’s made possible for him. How proud they were to meet him.

Anne Konz passed away in 2001 and in memory of her giving spirit, the family established the Granny Annie Fund through the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Anne embraced philanthropy in a simple way – with “heart”. A women of profound faith, she always considered others before herself. Her authentic concern for humanity continues to thrive in the extended Konz families. Donations are made throughout the year by family and friends. Every Christmas Eve they gather together and collectively discuss charitable opportunities and decide worthy programs to fund. Anne’s giving spirit was quietly contagious and is now embodied in the hearts of three generations that follow in her legacy. Her favorite NPH, quickly has become everyone’s favorite because of what it meant to her and Larry. Their philanthropic spirit has spread through the generations.

As the families gather together this Christmas Eve they will decide on her behalf where the dollars generated from her fund will benefit. They will capture the true meaning of what it feels like to give.

NPH is a big and great family! It is where the impossible is made possible...

Below is the testimonial speech Roxana, a pequena from NPH El Salvador and current Seattle Institute participant, gave at the recent Faces of Hope in Bellevue, WA, along with the testimonial her host mom then gave.

Hello!  My name is Roxana.  I’m from El Salvador.  Thank you for coming.  Today, I would like to share about my life.

June 15, 2004. What were YOU doing?  Me?  That was the day I went from being an adult, back to being a kid again.  Being an adult?  What a bummer…I was only 10!

My mom just died from cancer, and Papa?  Well…he just fell apart. My sister and I became in charge of my other brothers and sisters. You see, I am one of 7…I have (Manuel, Joaquin, Serguio) brothers, and (Sulma, Gloria, Maritza) sisters.  I am the second oldest.

Now, you are probably thinking “Roxana must have been scared.” Or, “She was probably worried about what she would do.”  Actually, I was not thinking any of that.  I just did what I had to do for my family.  There really was no alternative.

But, if it weren’t for Rubia, my godmother who was always taking care of us, June 15 would never have been. Rubia knew that we needed help – and she introduced us to NPH.  And I feel like I was born again.  I became part of a bigger miracle with even MORE brothers and sisters.  My brothers, sisters and I were now home.  Because, NPH had taken ALL of us.

I started school again.  Ah-I was SO far behind.  I was only at a third grade level!  After being at NPH, I was so dedicated to school, that I went from grade five to grade seven.  I skipped a WHOLE grade level!

And, I had SO MANY other things I could do:  choir, dancing, riding a bike, swimming. I was SO excited.  And….the FOOOOOOOD!

I joined the dance group at fourteen.  Out of many girls, Rebeca and I were selected to travel to the US to dance and perform.  We went to Arizona, Seattle, Minnesota and Chicago! It was SUCH an experience! Maybe I even met some of you back then…?

In 2009, I did my first year of service by taking care of the two to six year-olds and working in the sponsorship office. My second year of service, I was in charge of the six to seven year-old girls.  Then, I moved on to the sixteen to eighteen year-olds.  During this ALL this time, I was working on my high school degree! I received my high school degree in two thousand eleven. I was SO proud of myself for finishing.

Currently, given my past experiences, I found my passion in psychology.  Which is what I am studying  in university. So far, thru my studies I have discovered more about myself, and I know that I have grown as a person.  Before getting an education, I didn’t think anything was possible.  Now, thru NPH and my university, I know MANY things are possible. When I finish my studies, I want to take what I learned in school to help other people discover more about themselves, so they can overcome the difficulties in their lives and a achieve their dreams.

Except for my older sister, who has a family of her own now, my other brothers and sisters still live in the home in El Salvador.  They are going to school, doing their years of service, and enjoying all the other things I did when I was there, like dancing, singing, swimming and learning.

And for me?  I am here in Seattle, studying English and leadership this year. It has been amazing so far!  And I can only imagine what the rest of the year has in store for me. This summer I will return home to El Salvador to finish my studies.  My hope is to surpass all your expectations for me, and to become the person I was meant to be.

NPH is a big and great family!  It is where the impossible is made possible. Where dreams can become real. When I talk about NPH, I say “It is MY family”.  That we always help each other. It is not just about each person; it is about ALL of us. For me, NPH is MY everything.

Before I go, I would like to thank Father Wasson for his vision of NPH. It is the best thing I have experienced.

Do you want to learn more about NPH and others like me? I want to invite all of you to please come visit us!  See for yourself what your support can do. COME! Make memories with us!

Thank you for all you do.

******** 

Good afternoon!  I’m Christina Buchholz, and our family has the honor of being Roxy’s host family this year.  There are so many reasons why it’s been such an amazing experience for all of us.  The best part is having another female in a house full of guys!

Our family’s NPH story is a short one so far.  Short but sweet. A short while ago, our youth minister at St. James, Joe Cotton, introduced our Youth Group to NPH.  Joe inspired our Youth Group to take a trip to Nicaragua.  So, off our family went with the group: my husband, our two teenaged sons and myself. We weren’t sure what to expect.  Well, in just 10 days, our family was transformed…it was both eye opening and heart opening.

When we got to Nicaragua, here’s what we discovered: We weren’t visitors.  We became part of the NPH family.  The pequeños made sure we knew this. We also got to meet and get to know the two children, a boy and a girl, that our Youth Group had been sponsoring. They braved sharing not only their haunting stories, but also how they, and their siblings, came to be at NPH. These two children had such desperate backgrounds and yet they, and the other pequeños had clearly come to know a place where they knew they could love and be loved.  Where they were part of a community, rather, a family. A place to trust, to laugh, to learn, to grow, to have hope. That place was NPH. 

With each “hola”, each hug, each memory made together, we sensed the peace and security these children experienced in this NPH home. The volunteers and faculty we met as we visited the casas, classrooms and the clinic were incredible. The dedication and care they shared as they served this community really highlighted how every donation, every sponsor, was being leveraged in the best ways possible for the pequeños.

At the end of our 10 day visit, it was really hard to leave.  It was like leaving home after a family visit. Upon our return to the States, our family couldn’t stop talking about our trip. After only a few months, and countless hugs, unbelievable memories, we decided we needed “more NPH” in our lives.  We had already decided that we needed to go back, and found other ways to stay connected. This summer we will meet another child we sponsor.  We are a home stay family for the NPH students studying in Seattle.  We plan on visiting El Salvador, because if we don’t Roxy might disown us! And we are now part of the NPH NW Regional Board, sharing with anyone who will listen the amazing accomplishments of this tremendous organization and inspiring others to participate.

I’d like to ask you to do me a favor. Today we are learning about and supporting the schools and education programs of NPH.  Now think of your own classroom experiences.  Was it learning to write your name and read in kindergarten?  Was it playing at recess with your friends?  Maybe it was the walk to get your diploma on graduation day? 

Now imagine that instead of being in the classroom every day, you wander the streets.  That instead of playing at recess, you are six, working for a small nibble to eat.  That learning to write or read is not even a remote possibility because the only thing you can hope to learn is where a safe place might be to lay your head down tonight.

I’ll end with one of those transforming moments for our family from our trip.  Our group had just finished an exercise where we were rewarded with pieces of candy.  My husband Dave had his candy in his hands, which did not go unnoticed by one of the pequeños.  He pried Dave’s hand open and boy, did his face light up! Dave handed the two pieces of candy to him.  The pequeño noticed that Dave didn’t have any candy left for himself.  That little boy gave one back to Dave so he too would have a piece. What a generous little heart!

Today, I ask that you show the same generosity as that pequeño. Give so that little boy, and all the other children in the 9 NPH homes, can have a childhood, full of days in classrooms and recesses, too. Give that they may discover that many things are possible, and that they seize those possibilities because of NPH, and because of YOU. I would like to end by saying thank you. It is inspiring to me to be in a room with so many generous hearts. My family and I are thankful that you join us in supporting the mission of NPH.