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A New Home at NPH Honduras
Late last year, NPH Honduras welcomed 84 new children. They now have a beautiful space to call home.
Reported by Amanda Thomas
Communication Officer, NPH Honduras
November 2, 2015
In late 2014, the Honduran government closed many children’s homes as part of a major restructure of the governmental authorities who are responsible for child welfare in Honduras. Following these closures, NPH received 84 new children, which meant a huge increase in our population.
So many new children arriving at once is a stretch for any organization, especially when around half of the new children are under age 10. Our existing home for under-10-year olds, Casa Suyapa, was already near capacity. This meant we urgently had to find space for the newest members of our family.
An existing building, Madre Teresa, was home to our girls undertaking their years of service to the home, and our high school and university girls when they came home to the ranch for weekends and holidays. With some crafty rearranging, space was found for these girls elsewhere on the ranch, and Madre Teresa was freed up. It had been a long time since Madre Teresa had received any real maintenance or updates, so plans were quickly drawn up to make the house the best it could be for our new arrivals.
A donor heard of our need, and generously funded the majority of the refurbishing costs. With their help, the roof was lifted and reconstructed with metal, meaning it would last longer, be more durable, and would let in more natural light. The bathrooms were remodeled for smaller children, and new lockers were also installed. With the final touch of a new paint job inside and out, Madre Teresa was ready for its new tenants!
Forty children aged eight to 10 years old now call Madre Teresa home. The light, airy building is beautiful. On any given day in Madre Teresa, you can find children doing homework at the new tables, eating meals together or doing chores. It is obvious that they take pride in their new surroundings.
A huge part of our work here on the ranch is ensuring that our children feel at home and part of our family. Refurbishing Madre Teresa is just one thing we can do so our children know they are not only loved and cherished, but that they deserve a beautiful place to call home.
Related Information:
• NPH Honduras
• How Your Help Makes an Impact at NPH
• BLOG: “Manuel’s New Home” by NPH Honduras National Director, Stefan Feuerstein, November 18, 2014
Above: Two boys do homework outside their new home
Below: Madre Teresa has a new paint job and roof, the renovated bathroom, and the new light and airy dining room
