Written by Ricardo Klayen, NPH Mexico

We celebrated the 9th Annual NPHI Youth Development Conference this past January 2018, welcoming participants from all nine NPH homes. Our host was NPH El Salvador, a country rich in culture and hospitality, which provided a beautiful and wonderful experience to all our participants.

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There were 46 NPH youths that participated in this event; for 24 of them it was their first time attending, and 22 of them had the opportunity to participate in the past.

The theme of the conference was “Who am I?” The participants answered the following questions throughout the duration of the week: Who am I in my community? Who am I in my faith? Who am I as a person? Who am I within a team? And who am I as a leader?

In addition to the workshop and teaching part of the conference, the youth enthusiastically participated in recreational and cultural activities during the week.  This included games shared by other participants, an excursion to do service in the community, and also a day to visit cultural sites in El Salvador.

The team who led the activities included Donna Egge, Avriel Burlot, and myself, Ricardo Klayen.  We also invited special visitors during the week to present during the conference and share time with the youth.  These visitors included Dr. Michael Maccoby, Reinhart Koehler, Miguel Venegas, Nelly Fernandez, Jacqueline Shrader and staff from NPH El Salvador.

Based on my experience, this conference is a very important opportunity for our NPH youth and family. We strengthen personal growth of our youths, and strengthen the family ties among the members of our great NPH family.

I had the opportunity to participate in this type of workshop years ago and I have seen my personal growth. As an Hermano Mayor (older brother in the NPH family), my wish is to see the growth in each one of my brothers and sisters who are participating today and having these opportunities and experiences.

This year was the third time I helped lead the workshop as part of the planning team. I feel very happy and grateful for all the people that have helped me become a better person and a good example for my NPH brothers and sisters.

The NPHI Family Services team and supporters strive to invest in NPH leaders and provide unique professional development opportunities for them. From this effort arose the idea to partner with iLEAP, a Seattle-based, international organization designed to provide professional development opportunities and inspire leaders to ignite social change around the world.

2018 International Fellows, Spring program

iLEAP has a strong track-record of developing social entrepreneurs from around the world.  Father Wasson was, among many things, an entrepreneur.  He was an innovative leader and inspired the creation of NPH, an organization which continues to thrive in his absence.  We see iLEAP as a resource for helping to develop the next generation of NPH leaders so they can develop into a modern version of the social entrepreneur that Father Wasson was.

Congratulations to NPH staff, Nelly Fernández and Tom Kuiper, as they complete their three-week long journey as iLeap International Fellows this Spring!

Donna Egge, Tom Kuiper, Nelly Fernández

At NPH Honduras this past November, the NPHI Medical Service and Family Service teams invited 14 psychologists from the NPH homes for a mental health conference.

A week of sharing, listening and learning together produced a unique sense of team spirit and unity among the psychologists. Based on a common therapeutic contract of respect for and trust in each other, all participants engaged in the exchange of ideas and therapeutic techniques.  They also learned new individual and group therapies to support those who have experienced trauma. 

Prevention of sexual abuse and suicide complemented the trauma-related work. The group was also trained to use NPH’s internal Electronic Medical Report system (EMR) and psychological protocols.

The team welcomed guest speaker Nico van Oudenhoven and his wife Rona from the International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI) organization. In his presentation about the mental health situation in Latin America, he focused in on the practical intervention for children and youth of the NPH family and community. By empowering the creativity and abilities of local protagonists, and harnessing the local culture and traditions, we are able to provide a strong antidote against the despair that can accompany mental illness. 

The psychologists appreciated Nico’s contribution. One psychologist shared, “I really like the perspective of Nico: Hope and resources approach problems from a different perspective.”

When asked to comment on the workshop, participants shared:

“I enjoyed getting to know my colleagues, learning new things and sharing knowledge and experiences!”

“I appreciate the fitness and ability of the teams from the NPH homes and the great opportunity to share and participate in this enriching exchange.”

“This workshop enabled us to clarify,  learn and to see the importance of psychological work in NPH!”

Thanks to all participants for their engagement, commitment and contribution to make this workshop a success, and for their dedication to prioritizing the mental health of our children and youth.

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The NPH-iLEAP partnership began in 2015, in the way that many friendships start – both felt understood by the other and grounded by a common outlook and mission.

NPH is about raising children within a secure and loving family, supporting local families, developing youth to become strong leaders and contribute to their communities. Our staff is the bedrock on which our everyday care is made possible. Many of our staff are also ‘hermanos mayores’ who grew up at NPH and now choose to dedicate their work to caring for their younger brothers and sisters. They have a thorough understanding of their countries’ societal needs, and we see them as the key to making a difference both now and in the future by forming this next generation of leaders.

iLEAP seeks to create a more just and equal world by ‘inspiring social leaders and igniting social change.’ They help transform emerging leaders by encouraging their confidence, creating community, and giving them the tools to become agents of change. They believe in our leaders too.

With the support of the GPD Charitable Trust, the iLEAP-NPH friendship has been able to flourish since 2015.

Two years and four cohorts later, 40 NPH staff including hermanos mayores, have participated in the iLEAP program traveling from seven different countries. A group of nine staff members completed the program this past June and gave their final presentations on June 29^th to a gathering of supporters.

In his presentation, Edgar, the NPH Nicaragua Visitor Coordinator who grew up in the NPH Mexico home, shared, “I know that being a leader is not easy because all eyes are on us, as role models, but I am willing to do my best for my country when coming back home.”

And Wendy who grew up at NPH Honduras and is currently finishing her language studies in university, shared “I took time to think about my life – my happiness, my sorrows and my struggles. Through this I discovered that I am stronger than I imagined.” She continued, “I make mistakes as everyone does. But from these mistakes, I can learn.”

Edgar and Wendy are just two of the nine participants who shared reflections on leadership and inspiring ideas to take back to their countries.

Congratulations to the Class of June 2017!: Marvin and Carmina from El Salvador, Ana Maria from Guatemala, Billy Jean from Haiti, Wendy and Ana Karina from Honduras, and Edgar, Celson and Jader from Nicaragua.

NPHI Family Services

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Our six NPH youth who make up the sixth cohort of the Seattle Institute graduated from the program this past Sunday! We are so proud of the class of 2016-2017: David, Jimmy, Mariela, Roxana, Samuel and Saravia.

At graduation, they each shared a special message to their crowd of supporters, carrying the common theme that this past year was full of personal growth, teamwork, reflecting on what leadership means to them, learning English, gaining new friends and family, and much, much more. It was not always easy, but they leave with beautiful memories, changed hearts and minds, unique goals for the future, and the drive to serve their younger brothers and sisters in the NPH family.

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Donna Egge, NPHI Director of Family Services, shared in her message to the graduates that the psychological, social and adaptive growth has been immeasurable among each of them this past year. She added, “Only you inside can know the depth and the profound growth in your experience here.”

It became clear through the graduates’ speeches that the relationships they formed in Seattle and the support that they felt along the way made an incredible impact on their growth.

Jimmy Garcia, graduate from NPH Nicaragua, shared his gratitude with his homestay family and community of supporters,  “Finally, I want to thank all of you kind people who supported me in my weaknesses, and the people who felt proud of me in my strengths…I definitely appreciate you all, and will carry you with me when I am home in Nicaragua.”

Jacqueline Shrader, director of the program, applauded the graduates for a meaningful, challenging and fruitful year, and thanked the community and homestay families, quoting, “It takes a village.” Donna expressed on behalf of the graduates’ crowd of supporters, “We here in Seattle and in the Northwest, we will always be your second home, or as Samuel said, ‘your family’.”

We are proud of each and every one of our students – for rising to the occasion and giving this opportunity their very best. They will return to their countries, each on a unique path in life, whether it be continuing university or working, or both, all with the desire to support their NPH family.

Father Jack Walmesley led mass prior to the graduation ceremony, and he asked the graduates to hold on to this message: “What you have learned from your host families, what you have learned in your own countries, what you have learned from one another, don’t hide it. Never hide it, never hide it. The world needs to see it.”

To learn more about our Seattle Institute program, visit this blog.

NPHI Family Services

Holy Week is a special time for our little ones, youth and staff, lending to thoughtful reflection and prayer. And then comes Easter, or the “party for God”, as Martin* described so well! Read our chat with him here. It is a beautiful day in our homes! Here are a few photos we just have to share from this past week.

Can you guess which homes these are from? (Hint: there are 4 featured here.)

Have a wonderful Easter season.

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They are friends, daughters, sisters, and one day many will become mothers. They are students, and will one day become teachers, nurses, lawyers, doctors, artists. We believe in our young women and empowering them to be themselves, to believe in themselves!

Our NPH Dominican Republic Chicas Poderosas group. Photo by Jaime Fernández.

Chicas Poderosas, ‘Powerful Girls’, is a Family Services core program that creates a safe environment for our young women to ask questions about life, and discuss the challenges that come with being a girl in today’s society and also in communities where machismo is alive and present. Especially in their teenage years, girls have a million questions, and we want them to keep asking.

The program in each home looks a little different, but what matters to us is that they keep meeting, talking and supporting each other in female fellowship.

Last year, the average number of girls involved in a Chicas program was: Mexico: 28, Guatemala: 50, DR: 25, Nicaragua: 30, Honduras: 132.

That means in 2016, 265 girls were growing, learning and leaning on each other through the program.

Hear from them.

Lisseth*, 19, from Nicaragua 

What does it mean to you to be a woman? “For me, it means to be someone capable of accomplishing what she wants, to fight for good with integrity, to feel worthy of oneself and value oneself…”

What hopes do you have for the girls of NPH? “I believe they are very intelligent and that they have a lot to offer. I hope they graduate in their careers, support each other and their biological families, since pequeñas don’t forget where they came from, and keep the humility that God has given them.”  Read on.

Jacqueline*, 19, from the DR
“Even though I do not have any sisters of my own, I view every pequeña as my sister…Through Chicas Poderosas I have learned to believe in myself and my abilities; I have learned my prowess and how to defend my rights as a woman and as a person. The challenges I face and even the ones I have yet to defeat have made me stronger than I was before. I am now ready to help others do the same.” Read on.

Aracely*, 17, from Honduras

“I think me and other girls my age here,” Aracely explains, “are examples by showing our maturity, and also things like why sharing or compassion are important…I remember when I was little and looked up to girls who were as old as I am now. People would always tell me, ‘Oh, when you are in 9th grade, you’ll see.'” Read on.

Marisela*, 19, from Mexico

“I always try to remind my peers that the bad in life can change for the better. I know this is true because it already has been for me…I look forward to going to Chicas Poderosas because it helps me realize who I am as a person and how I can achieve my highest potential.”  Read on.

This International Women’s Day, we honor all of our young women –  what they have been through, what they stand for, who they are and all they are becoming.

We are #ProudofOurChicas!

Have a wonderful International Women’s Day this March 8th, 2017.

The NPHI Family Services Team

*Names changed for privacy purposes.

The NPH International Family Services Team achieved many milestones in 2016. Every one of our nine homes received at least one onsite visit from one of our international team members. We provided oversight and support to our National Directors and their local teams throughout the year, and we listened and responded to urgent home needs with onsite support as well. We consistently checked in with the staff to evaluate progress on the 23 Core Programs required for each NPH home, programs whose goals range from fostering youth development to training our childcare staff. These Core Programs were developed directly from the NPHI Family Services Childcare Manual (2006) and our Child Care Policy (2014) in order to ensure high standards, prevention, protection and formational opportunities for children, youth and staff. These programs are at the heart of our NPH work, both for the homes and our NPHI Family Services team.

IMPLEMENTING OUR 23 CORE PROGRAMS

Local Family Service Coordinators help improve the care of our children in the homes. They work directly with our NPH International Family Services Team to evaluate the 23 Core Programs so that our local childcare staff is able to continue providing quality care and better implement our NPH mission: helping our NPH youth to reach their potential, to become good and caring adults, and to be productive members of their respective communities with hearts to serve. We are thrilled to share that two of our newest local Family Services Coordinators are Hermanas Mayores and graduates from the iLEAP and Seattle Institute programs, both Family Services programs designed to prepare our youth and staff for leadership opportunities such as these.

Photos above: Left: Dora Lemus, Hermana Mayor, Graduate of iLEAP and Seattle Institute, Family Service Coordinator of NPH Honduras. Right: Luz de Maria, Hermana Mayor, graduate of iLeap, Family Service Coordinator of NPH El Salvador.

CARE of Children and Youth 

With the creative and dedicated work of over 378 caregivers, the support of Year of Service
youth and volunteers, our children receive high quality care. We currently have 66% of the desired childcare staff in place in our homes. We continue to strive to meet the full child to caregiver ratio compliance level advised by the Family Services Team. In 2016, all 378 childcare staff received at least 10 trainings, empowering them to provide better care. Annual trainings for our childcare staff are one of our focused Core Programs. The trainings center on themes such as positive discipline, sexual education and abuse prevention. We know that with sufficient childcare ratios and well-trained caregivers, our children and youth will be in good hands!

DEVELOPMENT Professional and Leadership 

This past year the Family Services team organized and facilitated over 10 local and international workshops, including the 7th Youth Development Workshop in Guatemala where over 45 youth from nine countries gathered for inspiration to carry our NPH legacy forward. Two Hermanos Mayores, both past participants of the Seattle Institute Leadership Program, helped facilitate this workshop. This is one shining example of our success in providing a continuum of developmental opportunities for growth and leadership. Our 8th workshop will be in Honduras in January 2017. There are 45 total participants, 27 of these youths will be first time participants. Providing youth development opportunities is a major focus for our team and is one of the Core Programs in our homes.

Our Seattle Leadership Institute, Preparing Lives for Service, celebrated the graduations of six participants from the Class of 2016 to reach a total of 26 graduates since the founding of the program in 2011! Of the past 26 graduates of the Seattle Institute, 16 are studying at the university level with some working along the way as well, 12 have full-time jobs, eight of whom are currently NPH employees. And all who are able to support NPH have found a variety of ways to give back and care for their brothers and sisters This past September we welcomed six more participants, and we look forward to seeing their growth throughout the year. We continue collaboration with iLeap (www.iLeap.org) as part of our professional development offering for our Hermanos Mayores and home employees. Our goal of this program is to help foster strong leadership skills focused on sustainability, collaboration, entrepreneurship and personal development, essential for leaders in today’s changing world. In 2016, we welcomed 21 total participants, to make 31 total graduates from the program since we began partnering with iLEAP in 2015.

In June 2017, we look forward to welcoming our 4th group of 10 students.

In 2016 we saw an increase in the number of volunteers who applied from countries without a fundraising office, especially from Latin America. This enriches the diversity in our homes and our volunteer community. We welcomed volunteers from Venezuela, Costa Rica, Honduras, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Sweden and the United Kingdom to serve our homes and our children.   Our International Volunteer Coordinator worked closely with the local volunteer coordinators in both the NPH homes and fundraising offices to create a more cohesive, international volunteer program. In addition, a new evaluation system and emergency and safety document was created for all homes.

Introducing Our NPH International Family Services Team!

• Donna Egge: Family Services Director
• Markus Streit: Family Services Coordinator, Administration, Core Programs, Alternative Care Programs, Child Welfare Interviews, Europe Liaison, Education Initiative
• Avriel Burlot: Family Services Coordinator, International Volunteers, CPI, Haiti FS, International Youth Conference
• Nelly Fernandez: Coordinator, Mental and Reproductive Health, Alternative Care Programs
• Jacqueline Shrader: new Coordinator, Seattle International Leadership Institute

Donna Egge, NPHI Family Services Director

The 8th Annual NPHI Youth Development Conference is currently in session!

There are 37 NPH youths from 8 different countries who traveled to the Ranch in NPH Honduras to be part of this workshop. Led by the NPHI Family Services team, they have been participating in a full week of learning sessions, activities, games and presentations. They are learning, growing and also having a blast during this unique experience with their fellow peers.

Enjoy these photos below!

Dr. Maccoby during his presentation with one of our exceptional young women from NPH Mexico.

A group of participants. This year we had 37 participants from eight countries.

The participants have a full week of presentations, learning session, activities and games! They are learning a lot and having a blast at the 8th Annual Youth Development Conference.