Posted January 30, 2010, 11:30 a.m. (EST)
 With the support of Friends of the Orphans, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) operates homes and outreach programs to transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children. Currently more than 3,300 children are being raised in nine countries: Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. Guided by principles of love, security, sharing, work and responsibility, NPH children, called pequeños, are eagerly donating their time and money to help their brothers and sisters in Haiti.
“For children so young to sacrifice what little they have for others in need is a wonderful lesson in philanthropy for all of us,” said Sharon Saxelby, CEO of Friends of the Orphans. "Their response to this crisis is inspiring, and reminds us what can be achieved when we each do our part to help the victims.”
Because of the widespread destruction in Haiti, the need continues for cash donations and supplies that help ensure the daily survival of victims. To help meet those needs, the children at each NPH home have stepped up to donate, hold fundraisers, and organize prayer services for those in Haiti.
Bolivia
The children have donated more than $200 of their own money to their brother and sister orphans in Haiti. Most of the money came from the annual $30 stipend each child in Bolivia receives from first through eighth grade to cover tuition fees, uniform costs, and other educational expenses—an incentive for families to keep their children in school rather than placing them in the workforce.
“At NPH, it’s customary to take the children to the market and use part of the stipend for new school supplies and back-to-school clothes, an outing they really anticipate each year,” said Kara King, Interim National Director at NPH Bolivia. “But when the earthquake struck, the children asked if they could donate half or even all of that money to Haiti instead. They are content to use last year’s uniform, last year’s backpack, or buy thread to repair their shoes instead of buying a new pair.”
 The Bolivia home also set up an altar where the children can pray for the people of Haiti. During a most recent prayer service, the oldest children in the home made a commitment to help with a fundraising campaign in nearby communities and schools.
Prayed a 10-year-old girl named Melvy, “Our brothers and sisters in Haiti, I would like you to know that we will not forget you, you are always in our hearts. We care for you, don’t feel badly, God will help you and we will be thinking of you with much love and thinking about how we can help you.”
b.jpg) Honduras
Children spent a weekend asking for donations in the hot streets of downtown Tegucigalpa, where they successfully raised $1,400. Their efforts were especially gratifying as NPH had previously arranged to have HSBC Bank match all donations made in Honduras for the earthquake fund. As a result, the NPH children were able to double the amount they earned and donated to victims.
 Mexico
On Saturday, January 16, thirty-five NPH high school students volunteered at the Red Cross. Grateful for the chance to lend a helping hand, the children spent six hours sorting through supplies for Haiti, packaging them for shipping, and loading them onto trucks. “We have been praying,” said NPH Mexico pequeña Maria, “The pequeños in the NPH home in Haiti are our brothers and sisters. It doesn’t matter that they are in another county. We need to help them.”
 The Dominican Republic
The pequeños have been working tirelessly alongside staff members and volunteers to gather supplies and funds to ensure that St. Damien’s in Tabarre—the only free pediatric hospital in Haiti—can serve as many people as possible. Since their first shipment a day and a half after the earthquake struck, NPH Dominican Republic has sent seven trucks and busloads of vital supplies, including mattresses, tents, food, water, fuel, and medical equipment. Their close proximity to Haiti has enabled NPH Dominican Republic to make an immediate impact where other organizations might be limited.
Haiti
At the NPH home in Kenscoff, which did not suffer earthquake damage, the children are doing what little they can to aid victims. Busloads of them have visited St. Damien’s to pray for the suffering and visit the injured, many of whom are children like themselves.
The concern and kindness bestowed upon patients by the NPH children has brightened the atmosphere at the hospital. Said Fr. Rick Frechette, priest, physician and hospital administrator at St. Damien’s, “It is bittersweet to walk through our hospital and see so many children that are missing a limb, still with a big smile. The support of children from our other NPH homes makes a huge difference, and we are very grateful.”
Donate to support repair and relief efforts in Haiti.
Related Information:
• What does Friends of the Orphans Do in Haiti?
• How Can I Help?
• Earthquake in Haiti Fact Sheet |