A family since 1954
On a hot summer day in 1954, a young boy entered a church in Cuernavaca, Mexico. His name was Carlos, and his hunger drove him to steal money from the collection box. Carlos was arrested and due to receive a harsh sentence for his crime. The newly ordained priest of the church, Father William B. Wasson, asked the court to show mercy. He asked the judge for custody of Carlos so that he could feed him, clothe him, and provide a home for him. The judge accepted. In fact, the judge continued to send boys to Father Wasson. By the end of the year, 32 boys were in his care and Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) was born.
A family for vulnerable children since 1954…
NPH offers vulnerable children a way out of poverty. We give children healthcare, an education and nutritious food. Most importantly, they receive unconditional love. Wherever possible NPH programmes support children in their own homes, with their own families. If that is not possible, they may join the NPH family in one of our homes. Read more about what we do.
…and still growing worldwide
In the years following its establishment NPH established several offices in the USA, as well as in Canada and later in several European countries. Most recently offices have opened in New Zealand and the UK.
In Latin America too, NPH has continued to grow. We have rescued and raised more than 20,000 boys and girls throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, NPH runs childcare programmes and operates family homes in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.
Growing needs too
The needs are much greater than they were in 1954. Poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and overall unhealthy and dangerous conditions in Latin American countries make our work more important than ever. 13.4 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. This year in Guatemala alone, this epidemic will orphan over 32,000 children. About 1 million children are exploited annually in the multi-billion-dollar sex industry. Approximately 246 million children are engaged in exploitative child labour. 75% of them are in hazardous environments. 40 million orphaned and abandoned children live in extreme poverty in Latin America alone.
You can join the NPH family
Our work is vital. Together we can save lives. Please join us. Help us end the vicious cycle of poverty and abandonment, by giving childcare programmes, a future and a family to children in Latin America and the Caribbean. Contact us to find out how you can become part of the NPH family.
