NPH Guatemala: We Are Family
In Guatemala's highlands, about an hour from Guatemala City in Itzapa, Casa San Andres is home to over 200 children. Situated 1500 meters above sea level with Volcano Fuego as the backdrop, the red brick buildings and roofs of the NPH home lie in contrast to the rich cultural landscape of the country. Since its inception in 1996, this family has been growing yearly.
In 2000, Casa San Andres opened its doors to impoverished children from the community to offer educational scholarships. The program has been so successful that the home now has over 115 external students at pre-k through secondary school. NPH provides a comprehensive education in a healthy and safe environment, strengthening the values and principles instilled by Father Wasson.
Apart from the school campus, there are homes for the children who permanently live onsite, a kitchen and common dining room, library and a computer room. There is also an administrative complex, staff and volunteer housing, and five workshops where the older children receive vocational training (bakery, cooking, sewing, welding, hand crafts and carpentry). A clinic serves the children and staff of NPH, but also provides medical assistance to people from the surrounding communities. Sagrado Corazón, or Sacred Heart, is a home for children with special needs inside the NPH grounds. It provides 24-hour care for over 12 children with severe disabilities and neurological issues. We also have two houses located in Chimaltenango Santa Teresita and San Bernardo that house 53 boys and girls of legal age who are in high school and preparing for college. Additionally, through the NPH OneFamily program, 31 children have been reintegrated with their biological families and NPH continues to support them and provide them with the necessary tools to continue their studies and develop within their community. With the goal of becoming more sustainable, the youth and children help assist in growing carrots, radishes, onions, tomatoes, chayote, cabbage, and various herbs. NPH Guatemala is directed by Orlando Ramos and a team of over 150 professionals.
Milestones
| 1996: | First children arrived in temporary home in Sacatepequez | | 1997: | Education Center opened | | | Home moved to Chimaltenango | | 1999: | Pre-primary Montessori school opened | | 2001: | First pequeños graduated from high school | | 2002: | Construction began at new property San Andres Itzapa | | 2003: | Move to new home Casa San Andrés in San Andres Itzapa | | 2006: | Construction of the Babies’ House was completed | | 2007: | Government certification of vocational workshops | | 2009: | NPH School began a community scholarship program | | 2010: | Girls’ empowerment program began | | | Hermanos Mayores program began, support for former pequeños | | 2012: | Construction completed on Montessori School | | 2013: | First pequeño graduated from university | | 2014: | Completed construction of Holy Family Chapel | | | Investment in green energy throughout the home | | 2015: | Launch of Family Bakery project to help local fundraising | | | Integrated learning store created, “The Smile Shop" | | 2016: | Implementation of ‘My First Job’ program | | | Life Project initiate to support children and youth | | 2017: | Implementation of NPH OneFamily Program (Family Reintegration) | | | Renovation of bedrooms for more individualized, personal spaces |
|
|
