“At NPH I didn’t just find a home,” Triana recalls, “I found a family, values, opportunities, and above all, hope.” It was in that environment of love and support that she began to discover who she was and what she wanted to become. During her teenage years, Triana developed a deep calling to serve others, inspired by the life of Father William Wasson, founder of NPH. She saw in him a role model and dreamed of continuing his legacy through her own vocation—medicine. “I chose to study medicine because I wanted to serve others, because I understood that healing others was also a way of healing my own story,” she says.
Today, at 26 years old, Triana is in the final stage of her medical studies, awaiting her degree that will mark the culmination of a dream that began many years ago. Her goal is to specialize in dermatology, a field that fascinates her for its direct impact on people’s health, self-esteem, and quality of life. “I want my patients to feel good—inside and out. The skin is the mirror of the soul, and caring for it also means protecting the dignity of the person who lives in it,” she explains with conviction.
Her journey toward becoming a doctor was not easy. There were moments of doubt, fatigue, and financial hardship, but every step was accompanied by the support of NPH and the community that believed in her. Thanks to donors and the NPH team, Triana was able to complete her studies, have the materials she needed, and receive a comprehensive education that went far beyond the classroom. “NPH taught me that human values are just as important as professional knowledge,” she says. “I learned to be empathetic, responsible, grateful, and above all, to believe in myself.”
But Triana’s impact goes beyond the walls of a hospital or a medical office. Two years ago, her commitment, leadership, and compassion led her to be selected as the NPH International Youth Representative to the United Nations. The news filled her with emotion and hope: “I never imagined having the opportunity to represent NPH and be the voice of other children and young people. This opportunity means so much to me, not only for what it represents, but for everything I’ve lived through to get here.”
Since then, Triana has sought to participate in dialogue and decision-making spaces in civil society, where young people can share their perspectives on global issues such as education, equality, mental health, and environmental protection. She wants her voice to echo that of NPH—a place where children grow into independent, compassionate adults who give back to their communities. “Today I can proudly say that my voice matters,” she affirms. “I want to use it to help those who, like me, have faced difficult times.”
In her role as an NPH Ambassador, Triana works on initiatives that promote NPH’s mission, as well as the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. She participates in educational programs, community activities, and awareness campaigns on the importance of education and environmental protection. For her, being an ambassador is not just a title—it is a responsibility: “It means showing that change is possible, that young people can be part of the solution and not the problem.”
Her vision for the future is marked by a strong sense of social responsibility. At every step of her journey, Triana carries with her the legacy of NPH. “NPH has been a cornerstone in my life,” she says with gratitude. “It not only gave me education and care—it taught me to live with values, to look at others with empathy, and to never lose hope.”
“My story is a reflection of what can be achieved with support, love, and resilience,” Triana concludes. “I believe that when we trust ourselves, even after facing hardships, it’s always worth giving our best and continuing to fight. Along the way, there will always be people who believe in our potential and help us make our dreams come true.”
Today, representing NPH before the United Nations and civil society, Triana Justiniano proves that a little girl’s dreams can go far when nurtured with love, education, and faith. Her life is a living testimony to NPH’s mission: transforming pain into hope, vulnerability into strength, and today’s children into the compassionate leaders of tomorrow.
