Support the Special Education Program at NPH Guatemala

This August, I had the privilege of visiting the NPH home in Guatemala with 23 other representatives from the Catholic Church in the MA area, including my son Hayden.

Our recent trip to NPH Guatemala opened my eyes to place more incredible than I could have ever imagined. I have had the opportunity to visit a number of third world countries in the last couple of years and when I returned home, I have felt overwhelmed with how broken these countries are. The poverty and violence is disturbing. I felt hopeless on how I as one person could help make a difference.

However, at the NPH home in Guatemala I found hope. Despite the often devastating and sad situations that brought these kids here, I saw happiness, love, hope for a future- I saw a family. I saw kids going to school, taking care of their home and each other, and playing soccer, volleyball and having fun.

Being a special educator, I was especially moved by the children with special needs at the home. I couldn’t help but think what would happen to these kids if they were left on the streets of Guatemala with their various handicaps and without a family to care for them. At NPH they have a family for life, where they have unconditional love, shared respect and where they learn to help others. It’s a place that allows children to grow into caring and productive members of their communities.

We witnessed this first hand. While teaching a small English class, a little 7 year old pushed her friend, with multiple handicaps, in a wheelchair up the ramp to join our next class. While she participated and named the animals we were learning in English, she cared for her friend, wiping her face and patting her hands. The young girl in the wheel chair was smiling and enjoying being with her peers. It was beautiful to see so much love and care. Another day I brought bubbles to the special needs home and began blowing them with a severely handicapped girl living there. She smiled and squealed with glee. Her friend kept asking me to keep blowing the bubbles as she was enjoying watching her friend being so happy. They truly care for one another. One day I witnessed the special needs children, with the help of their teachers, run a small “tienda”. There they learned how to work at a store – interact with the customers, count change, and prepare food.

At the NPH home the children are provided a safe place to live and grow. They receive three nutritional meals a day, healthcare, and an education, and vocational training. They are surrounded by people who care about them – a family!

After my experience at NPH Guatemala and finding this hope I felt moved to help. I ask you to join me in supporting the special education department at the NPH home in Guatemala. Your donations will make a difference for these children.

Matthew 25:40 – “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”

Thank you!
Sally DeGeorge