My story at Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) began in 2001, shortly after the loss of my mother. At that time, I prayed to God for a job closer to home so I could spend more time with my children, even if only in the evenings. That was when I was given the opportunity to join NPH El Salvador. At first, I looked for a job out of necessity, but over time I developed a deep affection and admiration for the incredible work this family does—and that’s what made me stay.
At the beginning, adapting was not easy. There were many young children under our care—47 of them were still bottle-fed—and with only a few caregivers, the work was exhausting. Little by little, however, my affection for them started to grow, as did my connection with each child and my admiration for the valuable work carried out by both the local team and our international collaborators. At NPH, we truly aim to embody the values of unconditional love, hard work, faith, service to others, and fraternity.
Being a caregiver and the director of the Girls’ House has been a beautiful experience. My mission is to educate and care for the girls, though sometimes I must also stand firm when correction is needed. It is a privilege that God has allowed me to live. One of the greatest challenges is accompanying the girls through their different life stages—childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood—but I always rely on my team and remind myself that comprehensive care should resemble that of a mother: attentive to everything and every detail. Knowing each girl individually is essential because they are all different, and love is its foundation.
When a girl arrives for the first time to the home, we do our best to make her feel welcome. We offer her a small gift, introduce her to those who will care for her, and work closely with the psychology team to support her adjustment process. Understanding and guidance are key during that time. Later, as we get to know them better, it becomes easier to recognize when a girl is going through a difficult moment. In those cases, we provide immediate support or seek the appropriate channels to ensure she receives the attention she needs.
We find balance between emotional, educational, and disciplinary aspects by building trust-based relationships. The girls know their rights, but also their responsibilities. Through our coexistence manual, we reinforce shared values and norms. We also organize recreational, sports, educational, and community activities within an annual plan. These activities—planned with the participation of the girls—help strengthen their self-esteem, independence, and decision-making skills, all within a quasi-family model.
Over the years, I have witnessed extraordinary transformations in the girls. It is deeply rewarding to remember when they first arrived and then see them succeed. One special experience I treasure was with a girl who came to NPH when she was very young and grew very close to me over the years. Today, whenever she reaches a milestone, she seeks me out to share it—and even calls me “mom.” It is truly a blessing from God to have accompanied her along her journey and now see her as an independent, productive woman of society.
Personally, NPH has taught me to be a better human being—more compassionate and understanding. Here I have learned that everything can be achieved with love and effort, and that every child and young person is valuable and deserves to be cared for with love.
Throughout these years, we have faced challenges such as the pandemic, changes in national laws, and many transformations in residential care. Despite all that, my greatest wish is that the philosophy of our founder, Father William Wasson, will never be lost—and that new generations will continue his example: to serve the most vulnerable and work towards a better tomorrow. Today, young people face greater challenges, and therefore, their vision must be even greater, always remembering that family is the fundamental pillar and that love, projects, achievements, and even difficulties must be shared.
I have witnessed many changes in NPH over time: young people finishing their university degrees, community programs that positively impact entire families, and the implementation of a quasi-family methodology that promotes more comprehensive development for the children living in our home. All of this has allowed our children and youth to stay on the path towards becoming active, responsible members and leaders of society.
As for me, the legacy I wish to leave the girls is this: to always remember that we can become better people, and that every action I took was done so they could grow and achieve their dreams. I feel proud of every accomplishment they reach and grateful to God for allowing me to be part of their lives.
I am certain that NPH will continue to be a positive influence for children and youth as long as we never lose the love that inspired Father Wasson’s work and dreams. And I am convinced that every step we take for the benefit of others will always receive God’s blessing.
The commitment of collaborators like Tía Loly shows that true care is built with love, patience, and dedication. At NPH, we continue working to ensure that every child grows up in a family-like environment filled with values and opportunities—keeping Father Wasson’s dream alive.