Dreams That Grow at NPH
Nathanael* is a 14-year-old boy, full of dreams and curiosity about the world. Since 2017, he has been part of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) El Salvador, where he has found an environment of love, respect, and camaraderie. He enjoys attending school and learning, especially in his favorite subjects: science and math. His greatest dream is to become an astronomer, as he is fascinated by the universe, the planets, and everything space-related.
At NPH, he has also discovered a special talent: baking. For the past few months, he has participated every afternoon, Monday through Thursday, in the vocational workshop, where he has learned to prepare recipes such as pizzas, cakes, puff pastry breads, and more. These skills have not only enriched his personal growth but have also inspired him to support his family’s business.
Nathanael is determined to go far. He dreams of becoming a professional and giving back to his family for all the love, support, and effort they have invested in him. His helpful spirit, his dedication to his studies, and his ability to dream big make him an example for many. His family’s testimony reflects the love, unity, and hard work that sustain countless Salvadoran homes, as well as the impact that support from institutions like NPH can have.
A Mother’s Voice: A Testimony of Love, Effort, and Gratitude
We joined Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos El Salvador through my brother, who worked for 14 years as Director of the Boys’ House, and through my sister-in-law, who is an Hermana Mayor.
When the Child Welfare Center (Centro de Bienestar Infantil – CBI) and Father Wasson Community Scholarship projects began, my husband and I decided to enroll Nathanael* in Kindergarten 6, and he has been there ever since, up to his current eighth grade. Over time, we enrolled our other two children.
The main reason we requested support from NPH was to be able to work without having to neglect them, since the children are at the Foundation all morning and part of the afternoon. This schedule allows us to dedicate time to work and then spend time with them for the rest of the day.
NPH is unique because in other places, for example, regular schools, classes end at noon, and then we have to figure out how to be with them.
We are beyond grateful to NPH because it has given us the opportunity to raise our children. It is a blessing because they receive everything: food, education, transportation, medical care, etc. And as a parent, that helps a lot.
Before NPH, I did not work because the kids were young and I had to be more involved in their care. At that time, my husband was the sole breadwinner; he worked as a bank teller, and I devoted myself entirely to the home and the children. Then, thanks to the opportunity NPH gave us, I was able to start my own business, with the goal of giving them a better life.
This dream of starting a business began when I was pregnant with Nathanael*. At that time, I was given the opportunity to work with someone who sold bread, and over time, I grew to like the business. Now, with my husband, we decided to start one of our own.
Starting a business is a dream, but at the same time, it is not that easy: gaining customers, sometimes enduring sun or rain, among other things. It is also difficult when sales are low; there are good days and others not so good.
I remember in my first cart I only sold bread, and I also sold natural drinks. Our initial investment was fifteen dollars: we bought half a pound of meat, fifty loaves of bread, a ham, and half a cabbage. From there, with the money we earned that first time, we bought a little more. Then, thank God, we were given the opportunity to buy a larger cart, which now included sandwiches and hamburgers.
We work Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, we move to a nearby soccer field from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On Saturdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., we make pupusas. I do this with the help of my mom, who was the one who came up with the idea for that other side of the business.
A few weeks ago, I also started selling fruit. My husband stays at the stand, and I go out to sell it. I carry it in a basket and walk down different streets until I finish it. I remember once coming back with nothing, and I noticed a look of pride on Nathanael’s* face that filled me with satisfaction. That made me think, “I am not doing things wrong with my children.”
Even when they have not had school, Nathanael* has helped me sell, and he sells everything! He is a very helpful boy: if we need to go shopping, he goes with us; on days when we work late, he helps us by preparing dinner for his brothers or cleaning the house. He is also very loving, and I think he is a role model for other children, as he is very responsible, both in household chores (washing his clothes, tidying his room) and in school. He is a very hard-working and studious boy; at the last report card, he earned the best grades in his class.
In general, I try to instill in my three children respect for others and the desire to help those in need. I also want them to see, through our example, what work is all about, but that the most important thing is education, because that is how they acquire the tools they need to get ahead in life.
One of the most valuable things Nathanael* has learned at NPH—and with which he has supported us—is baking. He tells me, “Mom, I am going to make your bread.” He brings many ideas: baking pizzas, puff pastries, tres leches dessert, among others. So that gets us thinking about how we can expand the business a little with the knowledge he is acquiring.
But in the future, what I would most like is to see him graduate from high school and then from university, have a career, and be a professional. That he can get ahead on his own, with a good job. And meanwhile, we will give him all the support so he can study whatever he wants. I want him to go further than us.
To those who donate to NPH, and even to those who have not yet decided to join the mission, I want to say: support this beautiful work that NPH does, because it helps entrepreneurial families like ours raise our children with the educational opportunities it provides. Thanks to NPH, many children are getting ahead. My son is about to enter ninth grade, and it is thanks to NPH’s support.
The truth is, without this institution, I do not know what we would do. Because in the schools here, it is difficult to find support like NPH’s.
I ask everyone to join this beautiful work so that more children can have more educational opportunities and learn about all the good things the Foundation has to offer.
At Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, we believe in the potential of every child and young person. We empower them through education, comprehensive support, and a values-filled environment so they can discover their talents, believe in their dreams, and grow with the confidence that they can transform their future and that of their community.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.