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Timeline

A Chronological Look at the History of NPH

The story of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos began in 1953 when Father William Wasson responded with compassion and love to a theft by a young boy. His act of kindness paved the way for an enduring philosophy of service, rooted in Christian values, to take hold and spread, breaking the cycle of poverty for children and families. Over the years, more than 20,000 children have grown up in the NPH family. Fr. Wasson’s vision spread from Mexico to Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and then south to Peru and Bolivia.

Each country’s programs and services are adapted to the needs of the children in each community.

1998

Nueva Esperanza, an NPH emergency aid and housing program, opens for victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras in 1998

Nueva Esperanza, an emergency aid and housing program, opens for victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras.

1997

NPH Mexico extends its reach to families in the Milpillas garbage dump in 1997

NPH Mexico extends its reach to families in the Milpillas garbage dump. Children are bused each day to attend school at NPH where they are able to shower, wear a clean uniform, eat breakfast and lunch, and receive medical and dental care. Fr. Wasson meets Mother Teresa. The National Caring..Read More

1996

Guatemala becomes third Central American country to join the NPH family in 1996

Guatemala becomes third Central American country to join the family.

1994

NPH fundraising office in France opens in 1994

Fundraising office in France opens. Fr. Wasson establishes an NPH home on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. Fundraising office in Belgium opens.

1992

Fr. Phil Cleary named National Director of NPH Mexico in 1992

Fr. Phil Cleary named National Director of NPH Mexico.

1991

Fundraising office in Netherlands opens.

1989

Fr. Wasson opens first NPH medical center in Petionville, Haiti in 1989

Fr. Wasson opens first medical center in Petionville, Haiti. Mexico honors Fr. Wasson with the Aztec Eagle Award.

1987

Fr. Wasson and Fr. Rick Frechette travel to NPH Haiti where they witness an overwhelming need for hospice and residential care service in 1987

Fr. Wasson and Fr. Rick Frechette travel to Haiti where they witness an overwhelming need for hospice and residential care services. Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs opens. Fundraising office opens in Switzerland.

1985

Fr. Wasson brings NPH youth from Mexico to Yarnell, Arizona, to take advantage of scholarships offered in Northern Arizona in 1985

Fr. Wasson brings NPH youth from Mexico to Yarnell, Arizona, to take advantage of scholarships offered in Northern Arizona. This expansion program later becomes the English Language Learning Center. Fr. Wasson asks Reinhart Koehler and Fr. Rick Frechette to start an NPH home in Honduras.

1984

Fundraising offices in Austria and Germany open. Fr. Wasson writes Gospel in the Dust.