FriendsOfTheOrphans

Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta at Tarara Winery Raises Over $23,000

On Sunday, May 4, 2008, Friends of the Orphans Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Region hosted our first Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta at Tarara Winery’s Lakeside Pavilion. It was a beautiful day shared with an amazing group of people dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters"). The event was at capacity with 130 people in attendance. The Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta was host to some prominent guests including Ambassador Raymond Joseph and his wife Mrs. Lola Poisson (Embassy of Haiti), Ambassador Dr. Flavio Espinal and his wife Mrs. Minerva Del Resco (Embassy of the Dominican Republic) and Ms. Vilma Herrera (Counselor of Community Affairs for the Embassy of El Salvador).

Event guests enjoyed wine tasting, sangría, delicious food provided by Lauriol Plaza Restaurant, an exciting silent auction, fantastic music by Latin salsa band Son Quatro and salsa lessons courtesy of Arthur Murray Ashburn Studios. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear a stirring speech from Suyapa Sabillon Caballero, a pequeña from NPH Honduras who just finished her studies at law school. In addition, Reinhart Köhler, co-founder of NPH Honduras and NPH Family Services Director, also shared stories from his 23+ years of experience with NPH. Finally, Reinhart shared with the guests the financial impact that the global rise of food and fuel prices is having on the homes and many were moved to contribute towards the Food Relief Fund. If you would like to make a contribution towards the Food Relief Fund, please click here or call (703) 848-2072.

Thanks to all the participants and sponsors of Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta. As a result of your kindness and generosity, over $23,000 was raised in support of the over 3,500 children currently supported by the NPH network of homes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Junior Board Is Now Forming! Are you ready to put your social skills into action? Then join the new Junior Board of Friends of the Orphans Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Region!

During February vacation, my mom and I spent 10 days at NPH Nicaragua. Prior to that, my 7^th grade class and I collected donations like clothes, games, and sports equipment to give the children. My Spanish teacher even had my Spanish class write letters to the boys and girls, and they wrote back!

This was my second trip to Nicaragua, visiting the children at Casa Asis and on the island of Ometepe. We spent a day baking cookies at Casa Asis, the orphanage for the younger boys and girls. Sister Alanna, a very nice lady, is the supervisor there, and is doing a great job. There we saw the kids that my parents and brother sponsor; Geraldo, Lester, and Enrique. These 3 brothers arrived at Casa Asis two years earlier (when we first visited Nicaragua as a family), looking hungry and dirty- and now look clean, well-fed, and happy. The rest of the time, we were at Ometepe, in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, where the children aged 8-16 years live.

I LOVED my time at the orphanage on Ometepe. I thought the kids were awesome, and had great tios and tias (the adults who take care of them, each one living with 8-10 children in a dormitory setting). After spending almost a week on Ometepe, I learned what a regular day is like for the kids.

A normal day, 6 days a week: 4:30 am- Wake up, take a cold shower and do chores. They rake leaves, iron their school uniform shirts, make their beds, and mop the floors. They have already been taught the responsibilities to do things for themselves. After the chores are done, they eat breakfast (starting with a prayer), which is usually Gallo Pinto, rice with beans. There is also bread. After that they head off to school, which is about a 15 minute walk. One day I came along and gave out the letters my classmates made, and they all wrote better letters back. At school they learn many subjects including Spanish (grammar, spelling), English, math, science, and more. All the teachers are great; caring and nice. They come back in the early afternoon. Then, the tios and tias help the younger boys and girls with their homework. After that, they can go out and play sports like basketball and soccer. They also need to take another cold shower. Then they have dinner, and then go to bed.

We brought material with us so that we could do activities ranging from arts and crafts to painting with the children. We also let them choose an item of clothing and an item donated by my classmates at home. They don’t have many things of their own, so even little things are really appreciated by them! If you think about it, kids like me and my friends in the US take so many things for granted- clothes, a house, games- even a family! Most of all- these kids want love! The reason these kids are here is because their parents either died or were not able to care for them. All they want is somebody outside the orphanage that they can love. My godson/brother, Heymi and I had a great time together. I even slept in his dorm with him and his friends and I had all the meals together with them (almost always Gallo Pinto!) and practiced my Spanish every day.

On Sundays they sometimes have trips to the beach, and other places to have fun together. They all have to squeeze together very tight to fit on the old school bus and the big truck that NPH has.