NPH

[Azdgari]

It occurred to me last night that it's a good idea to share this organization here, a place so full of wonderful people.

NPH - Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos

"Caring for orphaned and abandoned children in Latin America and the Caribbean since 1954."

NPH is a nonprofit organization that, as seen above, takes in orphans in nine Latin American and Carribean countries (Bolivia, Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Republica Dominicana, Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala). The orphanages adopt entire families of orphans, providing them with food, housing, and safety. More than this, they provide a future -- The orphanages each provide education through high school and also workshops that each orphan takes to learn a fallback trade. Further education, even through college, is available in return for working on the orphanage to help support the rest of the orphans. This is an essential thing to realize -- These orphanages don't just save lives, they give the children a chance for a true future. When I was in the Honduran orphanage, there was a celebration for two orphans who had just graduated medical school. That's an enormous accomplishment--two children whose future held only death or child prostitution were given another chance and have become doctors.

There are many ways to help. Donating is simple and easy, and your donations make a huge difference in the lives of these kids. You can sponsor a child, providing financial support and creating a meaningful relationship. You can buy books to send to libraries. For more information, visit the website.

If you're willing to sacrifice the time, you can volunteer. The shortest term apart from work in Haiti is a year. I can guarantee you this will not only change the lives of many children, but will also change yours. Although I volunteered for only two weeks as part of a special program, my outlook on life changed 180 degrees. And I truly wish I could have stayed for a year. Some people might think that volunteering at an orphanage might be too sad. The orphanage I went to, Rancho Santa Fe, was the happiest place I've ever been. The children there love you unconditionally. They've had everything taken from them and the orphanage has given back to them, and everything else is trivial details. They love everyone for who they are and grateful for things we don't think about--simple things like a bed at night and a meal in the morning. Visit the website to learn more about the program.


I don't want to try to 'advertise' this or for you guys to feel like I'm soliciting you. But I feel obligated to share this. Everyone wants to be part of the solution. It truly only takes the will to do good to do so. =]

[RayCat]

Awww ^^ lovely idea, Ben! I think that I'd enjoy the idea of volunteering at an orphanage for a while, plus it could count as work experience! The only problem is, I don't know of any orphanges near me =/ it must have been nice when you voluenteered though!