Karla Alfaro is a young woman who found a life-changing opportunity at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) El Salvador. Amidst a difficult time for her family, she embarked on a journey defined by hard work, perseverance, and the discovery of her passion for pastry making.
That commitment led her to achieve significant milestones: in 2024, she earned her first qualification as a professional pastry chef, and in 2026, she completed further training in the same field.
Today, at 23 years old, Karla continues to move forward, proving that with support and dedication, dreams can come true.
Here, she shares her story.
The start of an opportunity
My siblings and I arrived at NPH El Salvador in 2019, thanks to a friend of my mother who told us about the organization’s scholarship program. At the time, we were going through a difficult period in our lives, and discovering this program was a great blessing for us.
My time in school was wonderful. The teachers were very dynamic in their instruction, and whenever I struggled with a subject, they always found ways to support both me and my siblings. I felt encouraged every step of the way.
Continuing my high school and then pursuing higher education with NPH’s help was incredibly meaningful. Throughout that process, I received key benefits—such as transportation, meals, and study materials—which were essential in preparing me for the path I so deeply desired to follow.
Discovering a vocation
Since I was very young I have loved cooking, but it was not until I studied at NPH that I discovered my true passion for pastry making. After regular school classes, we would participate in afternoon workshops on baking and tailoring, and it was there that my love for the world of sweets began.
I have fond memories of the “Achievement Fairs”, where we showcased various desserts we had baked ourselves. From that point on—and upon graduating from the ninth grade—I decided to specialize in pastry making, as I felt that this field would allow me to reach my full potential by tapping into my creativity and patience.
A process of challenges and overcoming obstacles
My training process was challenging. It involved, for instance, getting up very early, sourcing ingredients that were not always easy to find, and learning techniques I never imagined were part of baking. Despite everything, I felt happy because I knew I was fulfilling a goal and a dream.
One of the biggest challenges was learning new skills while fearing that things might not turn out well. There were moments when I doubted whether I could go on, but I always had the support of family and friends who encouraged me to keep moving forward.
An achievement I am especially proud of was when I was asked to make a two-tiered cake. At first, I did not feel capable of doing it, but the person who trusted me motivated me, and the result was excellent.
Life skills and dreams for the future
Throughout this journey, alongside my pastry training, I have strengthened essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, and discipline. Completing my technical training has absolutely transformed my life. I now possess greater knowledge in the field and more opportunities to innovate and offer superior products to the public.
For me, completing this process has been a dream come true; I have proven to myself that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. In the future, I would like to work for a company to continue gaining experience and learning more about the culinary and pastry industry; then, God willing, I hope to start my own business.
A message of gratitude
Karla posing with her mother during her graduation in February 2026.
Without a doubt, NPH has been a tremendous blessing throughout my journey, both personally and professionally. Thanks to this opportunity, I have been able to advance in my studies and move closer to my goals. In pursuing each of them, I apply the values I learned—such as humility, respect, and patience.
To all the people and donors who make this support possible, I want to say that you are a great blessing in the lives of many young people. I firmly believe that your efforts are not in vain and that God will reward you abundantly. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the help you gave me and for what you continue to do for so many children and young people in El Salvador.
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In El Salvador, many young people like Karla dream of bettering themselves and building a dignified future through education. However, not everyone has the necessary opportunities to achieve this.
You can be part of that change by fostering the development and growth of more children and young people. With your donation, you make it possible for stories like this one to continue unfolding.
