Mexico: an urgent school for the children of NPH

The psychology and family services departments have worked together to provide all children with sessions in a structured and supportive environment to explore the emotional impact that the earthquake had on them.

Psychologists have worked with preschool, primary, and secondary school children in Miacatlán with various age-appropriate activities that help children easily understand why earthquakes happen, what to do in the event of an earthquake, and the emotions that could arise during or after surviving an earthquake. Relaxation techniques to help address stress have also been taught.

The coordinator of the “Chicas Poderosas” program – our female empowerment youth group – has been supporting our high school girls, touching on issues of emotional health and stress following impactful events like a natural disaster.

Our priority is the emotional and mental health of our children, and these sessions and activities will continue in all areas of our home so that we can ensure a complete and stable system of support as our family moves on from the jarring events of the September 2018 natural disaster.

From a young age, Hortencia had always enjoyed studying. Entering NPH Mexico gave her the platform she needed to progress in her education. She performed well at school and she endeared herself to her classmates and teachers. Her dream is to have a career, get ahead in life and support her family.

Metlatónoc does not have many opportunities for girls and women to gain an education and go to school. Girls continue to be sold to marry much older men or be exchanged for cattle. There are also no medical services in that region, leaving town’s population having to travel for four hours to be treated for just basic ailments. Today Hortencia has a long-term life project, just like the 650 boys, girls and young people that NPH Mexico cares for and attends to.

Hortencia is living out experiences that are transforming her life. She is now 18 years old and lives at Casa Buen Señor in Cuernavaca, where she has access to health services and protection and support of NPH so she can achieve her dreams. “Living at NPH is very different from the life I led with my family, because here there are more activities that promote my physical and intellectual development. It gives me great joy that my brother, four years older than me and who is also at NPH, moved to the NPH university home in Monterrey in August 2021, where he studies engineering. What a great opportunity for him and for all the family!” says Hortencia.

“Now I am studying the first semester at high school. I have many friends and I want to make an effort in my studies and go to university like my brother. My dream is to be an architect. I am passionate about drawing and I want to take advantage of this opportunity that they offer me. I never imagined that I could achieve my dreams.

“I am very happy!” affirms Hortencia, with her famous beautiful smile.

PROTECTION

At NPH-Mexico we strive to create a loving and safe environment for children and adolescents from situations of extreme vulnerability by providing them with a home where they are provided with food, clothing, sports, cultural activities and  medical care. 

PREPARATION

At NPH-Mexico we focus on providing educational programs, vocational training and other support services that equip our youth to earn a living wage and secure a first job with dignity. The key result is the achievement of financial independence, autonomy and a caring and responsible character. 

EDUCATION

An NPH education embodies a holistic approach that empowers students to reach their God-given potential in mind, spirit and body. Guided by Christian values, NPH homes and schools offer a variety of quality educational and formational programs that serve individual needs of each and every student. At NPH-Mexico we commit to educating underprivileged students, we embrace the ideal of continual learning and growth, and strive to prepare our students to be compassionate, productive, and responsible community members. 

To begin this year, we want to inform you about some actions we were able to carry out thanks to the great support of all of you in the family of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos México during 2021.

Dear friends,

This year we received 33 children from different states of Mexico. 70% of them came to us from conditions of extreme poverty, mainly from indigenous communities where they did not have the opportunity to go to school. I am proud to see how they have adapted to life in the homes of NPH Mexico. Our home, “Ciudad de los Niños”, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, celebrated 12 years of existence. We are happy that two young people from that home are now college graduates!

We had 165 graduates in total, 9 of them are now University Graduates and qualified Engineers! We celebrated graduations behind closed doors to continue protecting our children and young people from contagion.

All our young people over 15 years of age received the two doses of the COVID vaccine, as did all our staff. Our team of doctors and nurses have very attentively given talks about safety measures to avoid contagion, and the entire staff has made an enormous effort to implement all the necessary measures. In addition, the vaccination schedule for the youngest children was completed.

The pandemic has been a challenge for everyone, and even more in in our case, where we care for over 600 boys, girls, and youths. I know it has been difficult, especially for the little ones, as we had to suspend face-to-face classes, outings, family visits, and other events to protect them.

Despite all the care and strict prevention protocols we implemented since the beginning of the pandemic, we had some children and adolescents infected with COVID. This was the case of our university students. In addition to studying, the university students do their internships in companies and use public transportation. However, they were all caught early and we were able to act rapidly and provide them with the necessary medical care to prevent the virus from spreading to the rest of our population. I want to thank all the collaborators, the children, and young people for their patience and responsibility to take care of themselves.

There were difficult moments this year when I felt hopeless, not knowing where to go next. I reread all of Father Wasson’s books looking for inspiration and ideas, and we managed to put several measures into practice. We turned to our sponsors and donors and their response was so wonderful that it encouraged me to move ahead and sleep in peace. Thank you, thank you very much for the invaluable support you gave us immediately, we are forever grateful!

During the summer holidays, we were able to gather all the children, youth, and adolescents who live in our homes so that they could share time together. Something that I really appreciate is the coexistence between our children and adolescents of all ages. When someone asks them, what do you like most about NPH? Most of them answer, “my friends.”

I am proud of each child and our staff who have made such a great effort to overcome obstacles regardless of the circumstances. It has not been easy, but each one has contributed with suggestions, ideas, time, and a lot of love for NPH. Once again, we have been able to confirm that NPH is a real family!

We end 2021 with faith knowing that with the help of God and our benefactors, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos will continue to be the home of many Mexican children and adolescents who today have the opportunity to get ahead. I have hope for the future, hope helps us to be strong and trust in a better tomorrow, and that is how I see the life of each one of our children.

I am so grateful, you have made possible everything we achieved!

United in the Mission,

Rafael Bermúdez Gutiérrez
National Director, NPH Mexic