It has been a joy from the very beginning...

Below is a blog post by great supporter and godparent, Marcy Diehl, reflecting on some of the wonderful pequenos at NPH.

It has been a joy from the very beginning when I first began my relationship with little 10-year-old Dokendia at NPFS Haiti. The communication we share is truly special and even receiving her report card is fun. I try to write about 4 times a year. (I understand that the children really enjoy getting mail -- don't we all? - - so that has spurred me on!) I always remember to pick up lots of stickers and other bright flat objects to send off to her when I write, and they meet with much approval. I sent her pictures of my little dog and me once, and she was pleased about that as well. You have to be a big person to enjoy a picture of a little old lady and her tiny dog!

It was a real pleasure to meet Ronel, another pequeno, in San Diego last year. I think we provided him with his first public speaking engagement, but he was so poised that one would think he was a seasoned fundraiser! I did not think of him as a "fundraiser" but he turned into one because the audience could see where their donations were going and how successful they really were. He is so unassuming for all of his accomplishments, and it was a surprise to discover that he is a very talented artist along with being a medical student and just 30 years old! 

A letter from Fatima always brings a big smile to our faces...

What Sponsorship Means to Sue Bumagin & Paul Korn's Family

�It�s very gratifying to make a difference in the life of a child,� Sue Bumagin says of her and her husband, Paul Korn�s, sponsorship of 13-year-old Fatima at our NPH home in Honduras. Though they have not yet met Fatima, they feel that sponsorship has enriched all their lives.

Fatima writes to Sue and Paul every few months. Her letters are �very loving and so sweet,� according to Sue, and always come beautifully decorated. �A letter from Fatima always brings a big smile to our faces,� Sue says. Pictures she has sent now sit framed in their home and in Paul�s office.

Sue and Paul always write back soon after receiving a letter. After a kind friend translates their letters, Sue and Paul send the letters. Sometimes they also send small gifts that their godchild can share with other children and her little sister, Natalia, such as books in Spanish and art supplies. They also like to send her things that �a young, adolescent girl might like,� such as hair clips or bracelets.

Sue and Paul first heard about NPH and sponsorship through their friends, Barbara Kelley and Brian Orr, both Board Members of Friends of the Orphans Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Region. Sue says that she and Paul have been deeply influenced by Barbara and Brian�s enthusiasm, devotion, and love of the organization, as well as the children. Become that �special someone� in a child�s life. Sign up to sponsor today!

The whole time I wished I was back at NPH...

Below is a story from wonderful Friend and sponsor, Tatum Zeitchick.

My name is Tatum and I�m 15 years old. I have a Godson at NPH Nicaragua named Alex. He is 9 years old and very loving. My best friend the summer of 2012 asked me to tag along with her to Nicaragua. In my head I was thinking "Tanning, Beaches, And Boys!" Soon I found out that we were going to be staying at an orphanage, which I was thrilled about, but also a little nervous because I do not speak Spanish!

In the first hour we arrived I met Alex. He was on my friend Kent's back and had stolen his baseball hat. He was saying he was some famous Nicaraguan baseball player. I started to make conversation with him. Through my friend, of course, who knew Spanish. I connected with him right away and we never left each other�s side the whole time I was there. The departure was devastating. I had tears in my eyes as I hugged him goodbye not knowing if I would ever see him again. He looked at me and said in English when will you come back? I told him I hope soon.

I then got to enjoy the sunny beaches at San Juan Del Sur, but the whole time I wished I was back at NPH. The second I walked in the door of my home after I returned to Minnesota, I asked my mom to take me to the Friends of the Orphans office. I walked in and asked to sponsor Alex. They gave me a picture and info on him, and I was so happy that I would be able to write to him! I went home and wrote probably three letters and sent them that day.

The month after I left NPH, it crossed my mind that I wanted to go back!! I started searching for flights and talked to the visitor coordinator on Facebook about dates that I could come back. I talked to my mom about it and asked if she would want to come down with me. I planned the whole trip and paid for both tickets because money was tight. After three long plane rides I was finally in Managua, Nicaragua. Just an hour away from seeing Alex and all the wonderful kids!

I finally got to NPH and ran to Alex�s house. I walked in and a child named Roberto recognized me right away and gave me a huge hug. The other kids then went yelling for Alex. Alex didn't know I was coming back to visit at this time. The look on his face was priceless and amazing. He kind of just stood there not really processing it that I was really there. After he did, he ran up to me and jumped in my arms. He then took me to his room and lifted up his mattress and pulled out all the letters and pictures I sent him. We then walked around the orphanage and all I could hear was "Tatiana!!" (my Spanish name). I will never forget that day. I stayed at NPH for five days, then it was time to go home. As of now, a month later, I am planning my next trip in June and cannot wait.

Domingo and I

2012 Southwest Peque?o Tour 
"Domingo and I" by T.J. Decker 

Hello. Good morning Bishop Nevares, clergy, family, friends, and guests. I am T.J. Decker, a senior at Brophy College Prep, and I am honored to speak in front of such wonderful people this morning. I have been a part of Friends of the Orphans and Nuestros Peque?os Hermanos since Kindergarten here at OLPH. Every year, our class sponsored a peque?a named Karen from Mexico, and we donated monthly to help support her. This was a great experience at such a young age, and we even got to exchange letters back and forth, which helped us to learn our Spanish. When I started as a Freshman at Brophy, I signed up for NPH club at the club fair because it was familiar to me. That year, I talked to fellow Brophy brothers who had gone on the mission trip previously, and they highly recommended the trek to NPH Guatemala in Central America. The next year I wanted to go on an immersion trip so I planned it out with a few friends that we would go to Guatemala and visit the awesome kids at Casa San Andres. The experiences on this trip opened my eyes and heart to what NPH is all about � love. 

Last year, I got selected again to attend the trip and this time was truly special because I spent an entire week with the peque?o I sponsor, Domingo. My experiences in Guatemala have been a blessing to me. My first trip was a wonderful surprise. I showed up at Casa San Andres and quickly whipped up my soccer skills and tried to keep up with what seemed to be the Guatemalan National soccer team. As a group, we visited the old capital of Guatemala, Antigua, and explored this ancient city with the peque?os. We also had an opportunity to take a boat on Lake Atitlan, which is a huge lake with three volcanoes jetting out of it. I had never seen anything like that in my life. The week-long trip went by so fast, and at the end I was wondering about the service component of the trip. We did spend time painting murals on the walls in the Casa de los Especiales (the special needs dorm), working on the farm and in the kitchen. However, I began to realize that the peque?os gave more to us through their smiles and cheerfulness than we gave to them. You could make errors while speaking in Spanish and they would just grin at you, help you and proceed giving you a hug. You could give them a piece of candy and they would be grateful and would do back flips. They just loved us. 

On my second trip, friends kept asking me why I had 10 pound weights in my luggage. Once we got to the orphanage, they figured it out. In one of Domingo's letters to me, he wrote that the doctor told him he needed to stop doing pull-ups because his shoulders were too big so I brought him dumbbells. Domingo had never used weights before, so I taught him how to do a simple curl. I believe that I learned more about Spanish and myself in small conversations like this. Whenever I tried to buy Domingo shoes or a new soccer jersey, Domingo always said no and told me to save my money. Smart kid! He always insisted on buying food or candy for us to share. It was hard to leave Guatemala because Domingo and all of the other peque?os became my family. I still email Domingo frequently, and he always apologizes if he cannot reply back to me in less than a day! I keep telling him no problem, but I guess he misses me that much. I know I miss him. 

I encourage each and every one of you to get involved with Friends of the Orphans and Nuestros Peque?os Hermanos. My experience of sponsoring Domingo has been life-changing nonetheless. These children have never had the opportunities that we receive daily, but they continue to have a great outlook on life. They all have a dream � to become a doctor, teacher, soccer player or musician. So please consider sponsoring the dreams of these children and watch them thrive. It is incredible how much of a difference any one of us can make for a child by sponsoring a peque?o at $30.00 per month and sending them loving and supportive emails. I hope that very soon, you too can all have a picture of your own peque?o on your refrigerator as a constant reminder that you are changing their life.

"Godparents, I give thanks to God for your life and unconditional support during all these years, for watching me grow and being close to me despite the distance."

Below is a letter from Guadalupe at NPH Mexico to her godfather.

Dear godparent, 

You will remember that 15 years ago I began my experience of life at NPH. I was only 11 years old at the time. The first time I arrived at NPH I felt happy, and I thought it was a place full of opportunities for me to find out who I was and have a professional career. 

I lived through many adventures in the NPH house. Before I came to NPH, I want you to know that one of the saddest moments of my life was the death of the person I had called mother. I was separated from my father when my mother grew ill. If I hadn�t had the opportunity to go to NPH, I don�t think I would have finished my professional career. 

In the end, the most important thing was that I became part of this family. I will never forget some of the most fun experiences of my life, which included being at NPH and breaking the pi?atas during the Christmas holidays, going through the haunted house that the directors and caretakers made, and looking for hidden eggs over Easter. When I was at the house I remember that I always dreamed of studying and of being a good nurse. I imagined being a nurse in the NPH home in Haiti. 

Today, I have met my best friends at NPH. Now I have completed my studies at NPH and have graduated with a degree in nursing. I want to tell you that I am so excited, and I think it was well worth all the effort. In this new chapter of my life, my plan is to put my career into action. I want to do the best I can and do it with dedication, and each day I will be a better person. 

I am now working as a nurse�s assistant in a hospital and also volunteering in the NPH house in Miacatlan. I would like to live in Haiti for a few years. Later, perhaps I would like to further my education, have a good job, and perhaps have my own family. But right now the most important thing in my life is to finish my year of service and keep gaining more experience in my profession. 

I want you to know that you have meant so much to me. Godparents, I give thanks to God for your life and unconditional support during all these years, for watching me grow and being close to me despite the distance. Your presence in my life has made everything better. 

Now I will say goodbye but, as always, you will remain in my heart. 

With much love, 
Guadalupe

Corresponding with your Godchild!

The children eagerly await any correspondence from their Godparents. We strongly encourage letter writing as it helps create a special loving relationship. Even short notes will elicit a smile from your Godchild. 


To send a card or letter, simply place it in an unsealed envelope and mark it with your Godchild�s full name, country and your name. (Please do not put return addresses on the envelopes.) Then place the unsealed envelope and its contents into another envelope and mail it as follows: Child�s Full Name c/o Friends of the Orphans 134 North LaSalle Street Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60602-1036. 


We will have your message translated if necessary, before sending it on to the NPH home of your child. Please allow 10-16 weeks for return correspondence from your Godchild. 


Here are some writing tips: 

• Keep your letters simple. 
• Write about things your Godchild will understand, such as family, pets, hobbies and activities. 
• Encourage your child�s learning activities and special interests such as art, dance and sports. 
• Emphasize things you have in common. As time goes on, you will discover shared interests, perhaps a favorite school subject or a love of music. Because of your significance in the life of the child you sponsor, these common interests will enhance the child�s self-esteem. 
• Please avoid discussing material possessions, which will emphasize differences. 
• Send pictures of yourself and your family. Such photographs will become prized possessions. 
• Send postcards or photos of where you live and places you have visited. Postcards and photos are fun and educational for your Godchild. However, please help us safeguard your family�s privacy�do not include any direct contact information (including but not limited to: home, work or e-mail addresses) anywhere in your correspondence. 
• Flat paper items are the only things we can forward to your Godchild. Bookmarks, pages from coloring books, stickers, flat magnets, photos, postcards and prayer cards are all acceptable. Items such as jewelry or anything that changes the shape of the envelope can be confiscated by customs officials in other countries. 

________________________________________ 
For more information on corresponding, including phrases in Spanish/Creole, please visit www.friendsoftheorphans.org/correspond or call 1-866-690-1703. 


Thank you for being a sponsor!

�Do you have a letter for me?�

Bill Griffin is a member of the Northwest Regional Board. He and his wife, Cathy, have sponsored their Godson, Erick, for 14 years. They both volunteer locally for Friends and have hosted peque?os from NPH in their home a number of times. Bill was inspired to write this blog post by the many sponsors who tell him they have never written to their Godchildren because they don�t know what to write. 

Can you take a few minutes and write a letter to make your Godchild very happy? 

Our Godchild, Erick, from Honduras, was just 10 years old. He could barely read or write. How were we supposed to write a letter to him? 

So we sent a short letter about our kids and dog. A few months passed and we received a very simple drawing, signed �Erick.� So we wrote back thanking him for his drawing, asking about his life at the Ranch. We also sent a picture of his photo mounted on our refrigerator, so that he knew he was part of our family. A few months later, we received another drawing with some words. We did not understand how important these letters were to Erick � that some strangers really cared about him. We treasure his first �art/letters� to us. 

We began to receive his report cards. He was struggling with life and school. Our next letters told him how proud and excited we were because he was working so hard, even though those math and English classes were really tough. We started asking all kinds of questions about his life and interests: about school, how many classes each day? Does he play soccer? Like music? Any special ceremonies, birthdays, holidays � how did they celebrate? What chores did he have to do? 

After a few years, Erick�s letters started to get a little longer, although he didn�t feel any real urge to use spaces, capitals or periods. It was a challenge for the translators. 

We try to send photos or some funny animal picture along with our letters. Photos would be of just the family eating, or kids hanging out together or maybe some sights around the area or the local school, or the dog, etc. 

We would always try to explain how he is part of our life: his picture on the refrigerator, saying �Good Morning� to him while getting ready for the day, letting him know that family, friends and neighbors are asking about how he was doing, etc. Erick took woodworking classes and also has some artistic abilities. He tells us about his projects. He has become a leader and is a very good example for the kids because he understands where they are coming from. 

Last year, Erick took off a wooden cross that he had carved and always wore and gave it to one of the Friends of the Orphans staff [who visited the Ranch] to give to us. Recently, he was having some girlfriend problems and asked us for advice on how to handle it! 

No, we have never met Erick in person, but it just shows how important your letters and caring can be. Even if you have never written, write a letter today. 

Your letters to them are like long-distance hugs! 

Just ask about their daily lives. Tell them about your lives. Ask them to write to you because you really treasure their letters. 

Click here for more correspondence tips!