Nicaragua
Our Story
NPH Nicaragua was founded in 1994 to provide protection, education, and opportunities for children and young people facing vulnerable circumstances. After beginning in a rented home in Granada, the organization established family homes and a self-sustaining farm on Ometepe Island. In 2010, to provide a safer and more sustainable environment, all residential programs moved to Casa Padre Wasson in Santa Teresa, where children continue to learn, grow, and thrive.
Over the past three decades, NPH Nicaragua has supported more than 1,000 children and young people while evolving from a primarily residential care model to a community-focused approach. Today, its programs emphasize family and community strengthening, education, health and well-being, disability inclusion, and youth empowerment, helping children and families build brighter futures within their own communities.
Our Core Areas of Focus
Family and Community Strengthening
NPH Nicaragua works directly with children and families in their communities, helping strengthen family relationships and supporting children to grow up safely within their families. Children who have been reintegrated with their biological families continue to receive educational, social, and psychosocial support, alongside regular follow-up with their families. Through community visits, parenting workshops, educational support, and safe spaces for children living in challenging circumstances, NPH works alongside parents and caregivers to strengthen their capacity to care for and support their children.
Education
At Casa Padre Wasson, near Jinotepe in the department of Carazo, NPH Nicaragua provides free, values-based education from preschool through secondary school for children and young people from surrounding communities. Students can also take part in vocational workshops in areas such as welding, electricity, sewing, and English. Daily meals, school transportation, and personalized academic support help students access education and address individual learning needs.
Health and Well-being
NPH Nicaragua provides holistic care through individual, group, and family psychotherapy, social work follow-up, and on-site medical attention six days a week. Coordination with the Ministry of Health ensures vaccination drives, hygiene training, and water safety checks, with referrals to external specialists when needed.
Disabilites and Inclusion
Through four specialized El Buen Samaritano centers, NPH Nicaragua provides therapeutic, psychological, and occupational services to children with disabilities and their caregivers. Support includes parenting workshops, individualized learning plans, and essential resources such as transportation, medication, and nutritional supplements.
Youth and Economic Empowerment
At Casa Padre Wasson, young people from surrounding communities can develop practical skills through vocational workshops in areas such as welding, electricity, sewing, and English, helping them explore future education and employment opportunities. Support continues beyond school through NPH Nicaragua’s Family Service Year, which combines community service with preparation for higher education, and the University Service, which supports students as they continue their studies and prepare for adult life. Young people receive support in areas such as financial literacy, job-search skills, and psychological accompaniment as they move towards greater independence.
General Facts
Nicaragua is home to approximately 7.1 million people, making it the largest country in Central America by land area.
Nearly one in three Nicaraguans is under the age of 18, underscoring the importance of investing in children and young people.
Nearly one in four people lives in poverty, with rural communities and vulnerable families facing the greatest challenges.
Approximately 37% of Nicaraguans aged 15–24 have not completed primary education, and nearly 40% of secondary school-age youth remain out of school.
Your Support at Work
668
Children, young people and families received educational and disability support through NPH Nicaragua’s community programs in 2025.
71
Children and young people with disabilities received care and services within their communities in 2025.
53
Graduations across all levels of education, from preschool to university and technical education, supported through NPH programs in 2025.
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Every gift helps provide education, family support, and opportunities for vulnerable children and families across El Salvador.
The Difference You Make
Rooted in Opportunity
Josué grew up in a remote Indigenous Miskito community on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, where his family struggled to provide enough food and access to education. At the age of 12, he joined NPH Nicaragua, where he found the support he needed to continue his education while staying connected to his cultural roots. Along the way, he developed a passion for learning, especially languages, and discovered new opportunities to build practical skills for the future.
Today, Josué is completing his Year of Service, helping manage NPH’s plantain and banana crops while learning sustainable agricultural practices. He hopes to combine the knowledge and values he gained through NPH to one day create opportunities for the people in his hometown. His journey is a powerful example of how education, cultural pride, and hands-on experience can empower young people to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Our Story
Discover Our Journey
Explore the moments and milestones that have shaped NPH Nicaragua.