Guatemala

NPH Guatemala

In Guatemala’s highlands, about an hour from Guatemala City in Itzapa, Casa San Andres is home to 153 children, while also supporting 800 children through community programmes. Situated 1500 meters above sea level with Volcano Fuego as the backdrop, the red brick buildings and roofs of the NPH home lie in contrast to the rich cultural landscape of the country. Since its inception in 1996, this family has been growing, offering support to vulnerable families and children.

In 2000, Casa San Andres opened its doors to impoverished children from the community to offer educational scholarships. The program has been so successful that the home now has over 246 external students at preschool through secondary school. NPH provides a comprehensive education in a healthy and safe environment, strengthening the values and principles instilled by Father Wasson.

Students at our school at NPH Guatemala.

On our extensive NPH property, we have a school campus, homes for the children who permanently live onsite, a kitchen and common dining room, library and a computer room. There is also an administrative block, staff and volunteer housing, and five workshops where the older children receive vocational training (bakery, cooking, sewing, welding, hand crafts and carpentry). A clinic serves the children and staff of NPH, but also provides medical assistance to people from the surrounding communities.

Sagrado Corazón, or Sacred Heart, is a home for children with special needs inside the NPH grounds. It provides 24-hour care for over 12 children with severe disabilities and neurological issues. We also have two houses located in Chimaltenango that house 53 boys and girls of legal age who are in high school and preparing for university.

We have speech therapists and physiotherapists who help children with special needs.

Additionally, through the NPH OneFamily programme, 47 children have been reintegrated with their biological families and NPH continues to support them and provide them with the necessary tools to continue their studies and develop within their community.

Our Kindergarten and primary school is Montessori based.

With the goal of becoming more sustainable, the youth and children in our home help out in our orchard growing carrots, radishes, onions, tomatoes, chayote, cabbage, and various herbs.

NPH Guatemala is directed by Orlando Ramos.