Friends of the Orphans

Our Stories: Staff

Silvia, the NPH Honduras Social Worker, with Nidia, 2006.

Nidia
Social Worker, NPH Honduras
Fulfilling a Dream
Reported by Hunter Johnson, Communications Officer
May 2012

Nidia came to NPH Honduras in 1992 when she was 10 years old. She and her three siblings were brought by their grandfather shortly after their parents passed away. Nidia quickly accustomed to life at NPH and right away had an interest in school. She especially liked math.

After graduating from 9th grade at the NPH onsite school, Nidia began classes at a private high school in Tegucigalpa. She received her science and letters certificate to enter into the university. Between her high school and college studies, Nidia returned to the home to do her year of service at NPH, where she worked in the social work department. This is when everything changed.

“I immediately fell in love with social work,” says Nidia. “I developed strong relationships with the kids and staff here and it motivated me to further my studies.” After her year of service, Nidia entered the university, switching her course of study from mathematics to social work.

Nidia, 2012

Now out of college and after working with a program for disadvantaged children, this year Nidia started working full time as the NPH Honduras social worker. She loves her role and finds her job very rewarding. Nidia not only is good at her work, but she also serves as an example of the potential for academic success. She encourages our pequeños to pursue a higher education and greatly values the presence of tutors to help guide them in their academic path.

Since the time Nidia was studying in the city, both high school and university, things have changed for the worse. With constant teacher strikes and more violence and turmoil in the capital, it is that much harder now for our youth to stay on track and reach their goals. In an effort to respond to the new reality of our students, ensuring that they have a fighting chance to reach their full academic potential, we have restructured the high school and university department to provide the necessary guidance, academic and social support. This does come with new costs for the home, but if we want our children to succeed, it is the only responsible response to the realities of city life and the educational system in Honduras.

“With additional help the students receive more individualized attention and the tutors know them on a more personal level,” says Nidia. “It’s more secure and safe for the kids, which is very important to keep them focused on their studies. Things were different when I studied; life in the city wasn’t so dangerous. Without this new support, I’m afraid, many of our kids would get lost.”

We need help to continue to provide the necessary support to our youth living and studying in the city. Just like Nidia, we hope all of our youth have the opportunity to find their passion, set goals, and achieve a level of professionalism and success that they themselves can be proud of.

Related Information
• Find out how you can help children like Nidia.
• Our Homes: NPH Honduras
• NPH Honduras Fact Sheet (PDF)

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