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Setting Sail on Sea of Opportunity
Four young men from NPH Dominican Republic have embarked on a cruise to Europe as new employees of Mediterranean Shipping Company.
Reported by Daniela Candelario
Communications Officer, NPH Dominican Republic
February 15, 2019
“At NPH we support each other, we have learned what our values are and live with our family. I have always said that whoever does not have a purpose and a dream in life, does not really live,” says Nicolás.
“I’m a graduate and I’m working. I thank NPH for allowing me to be part of the family. Thanks to their reception I am what I am today; if it were not for NPH I do not know where I would be,” continues Ramirez.
“I feel super grateful, because when I joined NPH, my life changed completely,” finishes Anderson
The mission of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”) is to create a loving and safe family environment through comprehensive programs that provide children, adolescents and youth the opportunity to develop their potential and thus form a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
At NPH, we continuously work on strengthening ties with individuals and companies that want to collaborate in fulfilling our mission. This is the case of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which has welcomed our family into their hearts since 2010. One such contribution has been the internship program, which has led to the employment of several of our children.
In 2018, MSC decided to undertake an additional challenge. Through the Navy of the Dominican Republic, MSC has facilitated getting four young men of NPH – high school graduates and with technical skills – to embark on a nine-month journey on cruise ships of the company, after having completed and approved basic courses of the International Maritime Organization for seafarers.
The boys prepared for this opportunity for seven months. They conducted courses on ship protection, environment, first aid, and personal safety, among others. The young men will be in service for an initial nine-month contract. “We want to do our jobs well in order to get another contract, be promoted and be a good example to our other brothers and sisters,” say the boys.
The young men are Anderson, Nicolás, Ramirez and Yendy, who began a new exciting journey – employees working aboard a cruise to Europe – on December 7, 2018. They are happy and excited, but are aware that it will be challenging. It is hard work, and they will be far from home for an entire year.
While it will undoubtedly be a great experience, growing up with NPH has ensured that these four also have reliable backup plans should maritime life prove not to be their long-term future.
Nicolás says that he would resume his Modern Languages classes at university, while Yendy would also go to university to study educational psychology. Ramirez can return to his business selling electronics, and Anderson would save to finish his house and continue studying clinical psychology.
Not only are the future merchant seamen full of excitement and expectations, so are their friends and family at NPH, our staff, and everyone supporting them throughout their lives.
We thank MSC and all those who in some way contribute to our children’s progress.
We wish them much success in their journey!
Related Information:
• NPH Dominican Republic
• How Your Help Makes an Impact at NPH
Photo above: Anderson, Ramirez, Nicolás and Yendy, the future merchant mariners of NPH! Photos below: Arriving at port to begin their journey; Nicolas and Yendy ready to travel Europe; an MSC ship like the one the boys are on
