Southwest Region
In 1954, Father William B. Wasson of Phoenix, Arizona, founded the first Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters") home in Mexico. His devotion to the care of orphans inspired an outpouring of financial support and volunteers for his humanitarian cause. Father Wasson’s family and friends in Arizona offered support by sending clothes, food and money. This led to Friends of the Orphans (then Friends of Our Little Brothers) being incorporated as one of the state’s first nonprofits in 1965.
After nearly 40 years of succesful fundraising, a fire that started in the electrical wiring destroyed the Friends office in Tempe on October 11, 2003. Thanks to the help of many individuals and organizations who donated funds, time and supplies, there was no interruption in the support provided to the homes. Now located in Mesa, the Southwest regional office encompasses the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. Annual events include The Power of One Luncheons in the Spring and the Celebration of Life Gala and Tour featuring a dance and music troupe from one of the NPH homes in the Fall.
Notes & News
NPH Information Officer and Pequeño from NPH Guatemala speak at the annual Power of 1 events in Arizona
Monica Gery, Information Officer for NPH International and Juan José Cuxil Otzin were the guest speakers at the SW Region’s Sixth Annual Power of 1 Luncheon and Breakfast events on April 28 -29, 2010. Monica, a former volunteer in Honduras, spoke about NPH and work that they do and how Friends of the Orphans supports the mission of NPH. Monica also gave an update on NPH’s progress in Haiti since the January earthquake.
Juan José joined NPH at the age of 14, he had never attended school. He finished nine grades in less than five years. He is currently attending school in Minnesota thanks to two mentors and sponsors who saw his drive to succeed and wanted to give him an opportunity to come to the U.S. to study. Juan spoke about hi life prior to coming to NPH and how his life changed after he arrived at NPH in Guatemala. He spoke about his NPH family and the opportunities he has been given and his dream to be able to give back to the community once he finishes his schooling. Juan captivated all at the luncheon and breakfast with his outgoing personality, command of the English language and confidence. Juan is truly an example of Father Wasson’s dream and hope for his children.
Our thanks to Monica, Juan, and everyone who attended and helped with the events. Special thanks to Wells Fargo for sponsoring the luncheon.
Purchase a charm to support Friends!
Friends of the Orphans will receive up to 75% of your purchase from Charity Charms! Choose from lovely necklaces, bracelets and more. Click here to start shopping.
Friends Looking for Friends
Do you have time during the week that you would like to spend helping others? Have you ever considered being a volunteer? If so, Friends of the Orphans is looking for you! Our “friendly” office needs volunteers to help with translating (Spanish/English and French Creole/English), data entry, mailings, packing supplies to be sent to the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters") homes, and other various office tasks.
Our office is located at 8925 East Pima Center Parkway, Suite 145, in Scottsdale, AZ. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Barb Balchumas at (480) 237-3004 or bbalchumas@friendsus.org.
School/Group Sponsorship Program
Are you part of a class, club or group that is looking for a project that is exciting, motivating and interesting? Sponsor a child at an NPH home! Your students or group members can increase reading and writing skills as well as learn about culture, geography, economics and teamwork! Plus, you can fulfill community service project requirements, all by helping an orphaned, abandoned or disadvantaged child. Click here to learn more.
Events
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Friday, October 01, 2010 2010 Pequeño Tour 
Southwest Region
The Pequeños from NPH Mexico and Father Phil Cleary are coming to Arizona and California! Come see their live performances! Read More... Friday, October 08, 2010 2010 Faces of Hope Gala
 Southwest Region
6:30 p.m. Cocktails and Silent Auction
8:00 p.m. Dinner, Program and Live Auction
Chaparral Suites Resort
5001 North Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Join us for a four-Course Dinner, no-host bar, live and silent auctions and performances by the music and dance troupe from Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Mexico. Read More... |
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Thursday, November 11, 2010 Mexico: November 11 - 15, 2010
.gif) Opened in 1954, NPH Mexico cares for more than 800 children. The main home, Casa San Salvador, was once a sugar plantation and is 27 miles southwest of Cuernavaca and 77 miles south of Mexico City.
Read More... |
Featured Friends
Laila Dawson I just returned from a very special week at
Rancho Santa Fe, the Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) home in Honduras. I so enjoyed connecting personally with each of the young women I sponsor, strengthening the bonds between us, and learning more about their lives. I am so proud of all of them!
Elizabeth (top left) just graduated from high school and is now completing her
Año Familiar (year of service), working with the little children in
Casa Suyapa. Her patience with and love for the children is to be admired. Dexa (top center), also a graduate, is always thinking of and caring for others. She is a very dedicated mother to her adorable three-year old, Betzabé (bottom, left), now lives in a nearby town, and thoroughly enjoyed being able to join us at the ranch for a couple of days. Franliseiny (top right) is in the fifth grade, an excellent student, and a wonderful sister to her younger brother, also at the ranch. She grew a foot this year! Merari (center, front) always amazes me with her sweetness, and is a real help to some of the other young women who live in her house… feeding those who can’t feed themselves, sweeping and mopping from her wheelchair, and more.
My days were spent at the respective
hogares (homes) of the girls, going to school for a day with Franliseiny, taking Merari out for wheel-chair walks, and in general, taking part in the ranch’s activities, such as attending Mass and a special evening talent show.
I always return home feeling like I’ve left part of my heart behind, and am already looking forward to my next visit. Each of my girls reflects the NPH success story. I’ve been an NPH friend and sponsor for more than 12 years, and find the experience to be one of the richest of my life.
Brad KeenenA 7th grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Scottsdale, AZ, Brad Keenen enjoys participating in the school’s successful outreach partnership with Friends of the Orphans. Brad and his family sponsor two brothers, Raul and Eduardo, who live at an NPH orphanage in Mexico. For the past two years, Brad has traveled with a group from OLPH School to visit Raul and Eduardo and the other children. This experience has been memorable for Brad. “I saw so many sad people on the bus trip from Mexico City,” he says. “No one was smiling, but as soon as we entered the gates of the orphanage, all we saw were smiling, happy kids.”
During his visit, Brad talked and played with his two sponsored boys, speaking with them in a mixture of English, Spanish, and hand signals. They often communicated well without speech, too, sharing a spirit of mutual understanding. “It’s like a big family,” Brad told me. The
pequeños do everything together, and since it is not NPH policy for the children to be adopted, they know they will stay together until they have completed high school or college.
Brad especially enjoys sharing his time and friendship with Raul and Eduardo because it makes them feel special and important within the large group of children. He and his family also pray for the boys. Brad says it would be wonderful if more people could sponsor a child, but if this is not possible, “even prayer helps."
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