Peter has been part of the NPH family for almost a decade. Today, he shares his story of overcoming challenges, gratitude, and dreams that never fade away, reminding us that at NPH, no one is alone.
I remember arriving at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) El Salvador in May 2016 through the Children and Adolescents Court. At the time, my family was going through difficult times, so the judge thought the best option was to send me to NPH.
Coming to NPH was very difficult for me. I was only 10 years old and feared being neglected again. The hardest part was feeling alone: I had been through five foster homes before NPH, and at the time, I saw myself as inferior to others for not having a family.
A New Beginning at NPH
But all that changed when I joined NPH. One of the people who helped me the most was one of the tíos at the time, Marvin Guardado. He was a great example to me: in his discipline, in his way of caring for each child, young boy, or person in charge of the boy’s section. He had a strong but admirable character, he sought solutions to problems, and he instilled in us the values of NPH. Without a doubt, his empathy—and that of so many other people who work at NPH—was one of the things that most marked my life.
Now that I am older, I appreciate better the work of everyone at NPH, especially our caretakers (tíos and tías). They are people who stand out for dedicating a large part of their lives to this family, always seeking the best for each child and young person, caring about making us feel like family, and, above all, they are there to help us correct any wrong decisions or attitudes we need to improve, and they guide us along a good path, full of better decisions for the future.
I am currently living at the Youth House and in my first year of college, majoring in Marketing and International Business. At first, I felt a little insecure and fearful, worried about not being sure what major to choose. But thanks to the guidance of the NPH psychology team, I was able to focus and decide on the major I could excel in. Before starting college, I also prepared myself to organize my study and leisure time so I could balance all of my responsibilities.
Growing with Values and Purpose
This transition fills me with satisfaction. I realize that life is made up of stages, and the best thing is to enjoy each process. This change also gives me the opportunity to see what life is like outside of NPH and recognize that there are things I must continue to learn. I feel like I possess a great deal of knowledge, but I know I need to further prepare myself personally and professionally, always practicing NPH’s values and service to others.
Even though I am beginning a more independent life, I like to maintain a bond with all the children in the home. I consider myself an active, caring, and sincere young person, qualities that have greatly helped me make friends, adapt to new challenges, and maintain a good relationship with my classmates and young people at NPH. When we have family activities, my goal is always to share time with the little ones, giving them some of my happiness and excitement. We talk about all the good times we have as a family: recreational afternoons, Quinceañeras, graduations… They are all special and unique memories of NPH.
Dreams Worth Sharing
If I think about the legacy I would like to leave for the younger ones, it would be to inspire them to never let their dreams fade. I want to motivate them to be full of purpose and to always keep their mind and heart in sync. If I could give them advice, I would tell them that, regardless of age, they should always seek support from their elders or from NPH staff; to enjoy every stage of their lives, whether inside or outside their homes; and, above all, to value the opportunities offered to them here.
I have also built good relationships with some of the Hermanos Mayores and have received advice from them on how to pursue my goals and dreams, as they have been through the same thing and give us recommendations for making better decisions.
In the coming years, I see myself finishing my degree and starting internships for my professional world, gaining experience and training for other job opportunities related to my profession.
In addition to my academic goals, one of my dreams has always been to be a professional soccer player. It is something I am achieving thanks to the opportunity I had last year during the NPH International Soccer Tournament in Guatemala. There, I won a scholarship sponsored by people of NPH Spain, and with that, I can fulfill this dream that every young person passionate about soccer has.
If I could send a message to all the people who have supported me at NPH over the years, I would say: thank you for having believed in me from day one. Above all, to a very special collaborator who is like a second mother to me: the psychology coordinator, Glenda. And, to other people who, at the time, gave me support, strength, and encouragement when I needed it most. Without them, I would not have achieved many of my dreams or learned to develop myself as a person.
The most important thing I have learned at NPH is to value, to love, to understand that I have a family, that I was never alone, and that I also had many opportunities that other children do not have. I always had the attention I needed and the blessing of not having to worry about a plate of food, my health, clothes, or shoes.
Therefore, one of my dreams—besides my academic training—is to help others, especially the elderly who lack financial and emotional support. I would also like to fulfill the dreams of other children by helping them to have the opportunity to study and have a better relationship with God to help them make good decisions in their lives.
If I could describe the importance of the NPH in my life, it would be with Father Wasson’s words: “What we really are is an extended family.“ He taught us that we are not just any community: we are a family, and we are there for each other.
At NPH, we know that behind every story lies a future being shaped with love, care, and real opportunities. That is why, every day we reaffirm our commitment to providing them with a home, education, and values so they never stop dreaming and believing that together we are a family that supports and grows together.
*Name changed for privacy reasons.