Vanessa* was born on July 25, 2000. Together with her brother she left behind a life surrounded by shortages and difficulties. With the absence of a father and the presence only of the mother, who unfortunately was a victim of alcoholism, the children were in a state of abandonment, often forgotten in their own home when their mother went out to get something to eat or to fall back into the nets of alcohol.
It was the police themselves who realized the family’s situation and decided to take the children and ask the corresponding authorities to enter a home, where they could take care of them and love them very much. And so it is that on September 11, 2002, when she was just two years old, Vanessa* and her brother entered NPH El Salvador.
Although Vanessa* was too young to remember all this that happened to her, she is grateful for the way NPH has changed her life since she came home. ”Thanks to NPH I am a person of many values, I am a good person. Even though I arrived as a baby, I have learned to face my fears and thank God I managed to finish my studies,” says the young woman.
With a routine like that of any child (getting up, doing the cleaning, having breakfast, going to school, having lunch, doing homework, playing, sleeping, etc.), Vanessa* grew up as an excellent girl and student, who stood out for sharing and helping others. She says that her academic performance was good, her favorite subjects were Science and Physical Education, and she enjoyed participating in school dynamics and games.
But there was something that marked the girl’s path and guided her towards the discovery of her great passion: gastronomy. When she was around 14 years old, thanks to one of the vocational workshops that are held at NPH El Salvador, Vanessa* found what would make her a successful person. She says: ‘My interest in gastronomy began when I went to the Bakery Workshop at NPH and also when I was in Family Year and helped in the kitchen. From there, that motivated me to study gastronomy and the truth is that I love it a lot. It is a very beautiful and creative career.’
But Vanessa* also recognizes that this success has been thanks to special people who have accompanied her throughout her life, including tía Maritza, who worked for many years as one of the caregivers at the Santa María Girls’ House (in the Texistepeque’s home) and, since 2022, has served as a tía at the Santa Ana Youth Home. For Vanessa*, she was a trusted person, who always advised her through thick and thin, and supported her in any way she could. “Thank God, she is someone who understands us and motivates us to continue advancing in our studies,” the girl explains.
For her part, tía Maritza finds in Vanessa* a very cheerful, hardworking and helpful girl with others. She recalls one situation in particular where the girl had to fill herself with courage and prove her mettle. ‘I remember that in 2021 it was her turn to change programs, after being many years in the Texistepeque home. She was very afraid to be in the city, but thanks to her effort to improve and all the support she received, she adapted very quickly and after three years she was already a fairly independent young lady to function in society,’ says Maritza.
And even though back then Vanessa* considered graduating from high school one of her greatest achievements, she always feared leaving the world she knew and discovering new realities. But it was during these trying times that she learned to trust in God and believe in herself so she could empower herself and continue moving forward.
That is why NPH El Salvador strives to provide the support and tools that children, adolescents, and young adults need on their journey, especially when they feel unable to continue with the processes they are going through. It is also important to always insist on their education and learning until they achieve their goals. In the words of tía Maritza, ‘It is important to give them the due importance, love, and residential support they need at their different stages. May each of the young men and women in my care achieve their goals, be happy, and achieve the objectives of our program.’
In 2024, Vanessa* completed her gastronomy career, with which she has been able to take her first steps in the world of work, working as a cook in a local restaurant. In the future, she dreams of having her own restaurant with which she can help many people in need.
Now, she is an independent woman and has made her way out of NPH as a successful adult.
”I thank my sponsors, NPH and donors because thanks to them I have gotten ahead in everything,’ Vanessa concludes*.
NPH helps build hopeful futures, and thanks to the support of sponsors and donors, these dreams go from being desires to palpable realities, in which children and young people leave behind an environment lacking opportunities and chart a path of triumph and happiness.
*Vannessa’s true name has been changed for privacy reasons.