Julio Cesar Velasquez’s Life Story: A Successful Older Brother

New opportunities

My name is Julio Cesar Velasquez and I was born May 9th, 2003. My siblings and I arrived to NPH Mexico’s San Salvador house in Miacatlán, Morelos, Mexico in May of 2011, when I was 8 years old.

I’m 23 years old and come from Mexico City. I currently work at a pawn shop as a sales associate where I participate in various tasks that involve customer service, item evaluation, sales, and other relevant duties such as store organization. For about a month and two weeks I’ve been working hard at this job.

When I happened to walk past the shop and notice a help wanted sign, I decided it would be a good opportunity for me.  Since I had been searching for a job, I took the opportunity to apply. With this new job, I hoped to begin to have more financial independence, something I had been wanting to work on for a while now. After going through various steps in the hiring process, I was selected for the role.

Julio with his job application.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Before NPH

When I was younger, I used to live with my mother and siblings in Mexico City. She took care of us by herself, and money was always very tight in my household. For my siblings and me, this meant that we couldn’t get the care that we needed as children. I wanted to study, but in the end, my mother wasn’t able to support us financially. I began to fall behind other kids my age, and when I reached 8 years old, I still couldn’t read or write. The day that my siblings Edith, Gabriela, Guadalupe, Monica, and I were accepted into the NPH program, I knew that things would change for us forever, no matter how scared we all were.

Arrival at NPH

The day that I arrived I remember thinking two things: One, what a large space, and two, there are so many kids. I was worried, nervous, and scared because I was surrounded by so many people and it was completely overwhelming. At only 8 years old, I was already going through massive changes in my life.  One of the most difficult aspects was that I wasn’t a very social child; it just didn’t come to me as naturally as it seemed to for the other kids. Even so, I think I was still just as excited as I was scared and nervous.

Upon arrival, tíos and tías showed me and my siblings the dormitories. We were also given a long explanation about NPH and all the rules surrounding the home. It was overwhelming, but thanks to all of the caretakers (whom we all fondly call tías and tíos) and other children, that feeling didn’t last as long as it could have. Despite being cautious about the other kids, they welcomed me with open arms. Even though I was afraid, I had the support of caretakers and other children when it came to getting acclimated to my new life. Having my siblings by my side helped a lot, I didn’t feel as lonely as I could have.

After so long, I finally had the opportunity to learn how to read and write like all of the other kids, and I could be in a classroom with a uniform, just like everyone else! I suddenly realized just how important education is, and it made me happy to be able to study, even if I was starting later in life than others.

One of the tías at the time, Susana, was the one who helped me with my transition most of all. She was always there for me when I had questions or even when I needed help and reassurance. She helped me feel supported when I was at my most vulnerable.

Education and challenges

Thanks to NPH, I was able to finish middle school and most of high school, even when I faced challenges that I thought would make things too hard. My favorite part about the schooling was the fact that I got the opportunity to open up to new people and become less shy. Being around so many kids meant that I had to learn how to be more social, and I learned to love talking to and being around my friends and classmates.

It wasn’t all fun, however. Something that was really hard for me in school was math. During my time at NPH, I was diagnosed as having mild learning difficulties. What this means for me is that subjects like math or science are a little harder for me than for everyone else. During my high school years in particular I struggled to keep up with my other classmates, even with a bit of extra help.

Sometimes, I worried myself sick thinking I wasn’t capable of graduating, and after a while of that, I almost convinced myself that it was true. It was a hard point in my life, but with support from my professors, tíos, and tías at NPH, I was able to keep myself motivated.

I wanted to prove everyone—even my own negative thoughts– wrong, and make sure everyone knew that no matter how hard things can be for me, I will always come through. I’m very proud to say that I did get to finish high school eventually, thanks to everyone who supported me.

Transition to Independence

Currently I form a part of the program Jóvenes para la vida, which means I still receive a bit of help from NPH. Despite this, I do manage my own finances and am slowly beginning to learn the best ways to do so. The program I’m a part of continues to provide food and shelter, and so the money I earn from my job is for my own personal use. I am very grateful to still have this support from NPH and am proud to form a part of this program. Parts of my earnings are used to support my godchild, Nestor, whom I care for deeply.

Current life and reflections

When I think back to where I started, I often think about all of those times that I doubted myself. There were times in my life where I wondered if I would be able to finish my studies, but I managed to push through. I’m very proud of that fact, and I know that my loved ones are very proud as well. Looking back, I wonder how I ever could have doubted myself. At my age, I now know that anything is possible if I truly put my mind to it, and I’m infinitely grateful for all of the support I’ve received throughout my life.

NPH taught me many things, but what comes to mind the most is the way they always preach responsibility as one of the most important parts of life. If it weren’t for NPH’s teachings and support, I believe my life would have gone very differently.

I still keep in contact with some of the NPH family, but two of the people who stand out the most are José Luis Ávila, the coordinator in charge of the program I form a part of, and my godchild, Nestor.

Naturally, I still keep close contact with my siblings as well, whom I love and care for incredibly deeply.

My godchild

Nestor is the youngest of 4 siblings, and they originally come from a community in the sierra de Guerrero called Metlatonoc, which is a Mixtec community that lives in extreme poverty. He and his siblings were brought here due to his father passing and his mother being too ill to work. There are very few opportunities to work in their original community, and his mother, in her illness, could not support her children.

I met Nestor when he was younger, and he was one of the other children I enjoyed spending time with during my stay at NPH. The fact that I’m able to contribute to his well being truly warms my heart, and I love knowing that I’m giving back to the community that raised me so well.

I’ve known Nestor since he was younger, and when I decided to start contributing to NPH as a godfather I was incredibly happy when he chose me to support him. I was, and am, glad to be giving back to the organization that helped me build a better life for myself.

 

Giving back and the future

As of now, my main contribution to my community has been paying it forward when it comes to NPH Mexico. I happily provide support to my godchild–who still forms a part of the internal NPH family– and hope to be the light that continues to guide him toward a better future. Being at NPH has inspired me to be a better person and support those who are in need.

I want to give my sincerest thanks to all of the caretakers, professors, and friends in NPH who helped my siblings and me get to this point in our lives. The work that’s being done at NPH makes sure that kids who were like me get to better their future and live happy lives.

More About the Program

Jóvenes para la Vida is a program that seeks autonomy. We want to teach our young men and women valuable working skills so that they can become independent young adults. We seek for them to be able to live fulfilling lives where they can take informed decisions, administrate and make proper use of their finances, as well as form a part of the workforce.

At NPH México our relationship with our youth doesn’t stop when they reach legal age or have concluded the program. The organization’s philosophy, constructed since the beginning by Father William Wasson, seeks to provide these children a family for life. All of the youth who conclude our programs become “Older Siblings”, serving the role as someone who can be a source of inspiration for the children who still remain in our homes.

Essentially, Jóvenes para la Vida is a materialization of that promise: The promise that not a single one of our youth will be left behind.

Independence isn’t a gift, but something you construct. At NPH México, we all construct it together.  

More Stories

Want to know more about our family? Give some of our other stories a read and get to know more of our siblings here at NPH Mexico!