It's been a while...

Hello everyone! Sorry for the lack of response since I've been gone! This week is orientation for the voluntarios nuevos and I am EXHAUSTED! We start every day around 8 and end aroud 8 at night, sometimes later - not to mention the fact that all of this spanish is killing my brain! It has been quite a long few days but very exciting as well :). Little by little I am meeting the kids and getting to know them, although I must say I have a lot more to learn! So far this week we have: gotten a tour of all the facilities (including all 3 of the campuses that we have, met with the heads of all the sections of the children (more on that at a later date), learned about the philosophy behind NPH, met most of the staff members,etc. It has been quite a full few days! Now to explain some of the above...

The philosophy of NPH is that all children will be raised with a Christian background, learn responsibilities, share that which they have with others, get a good education, and be able to be productive members of society, all while living in a permanent residence where they can grow and be loved.

The children at NPH are provided with all of the things they need in order to grow up and be responsible individuals who care deeply for their family, the other children at the home. In addition, the hope is that NPH is a PERMANENT home for the children here. None of the children at NPH are adopted out. The reason behind this is that it eliminates the fear for the children that they will be separated from their family here (blood family, but also friends and people with whom they have grown up.) While many people think it might be better for the kids, here, it's said that the children have everthing that they need, and they can grow up in an environment without even more changes than they've already had in their life, while also having everything that they need, something they may not have outside of the home. In addition, they are loved unconditionally by everyone here - the staff, volunteers, and their brothers and sisters in the home - all 350 of them :).

Here, the kids receive clothes, toiletries, and food from the home, as well as a good education. In return, the children learn responsibilities by doing various chores for themselves, around their own little casa, as well as the entire home. Most of the older children are required to do their own laundry by hand and make their beds every day. In addition, the chores of the house vary depending on the ages of the children, but they can range from: washing dishes to cleaning the floors, to taking out the trash, to be in charge of all the dinner supplies (here, we carry plates, cups, and utensils to every meal and then wash them ourselves afterward).

Around the larger home (in the NPH community), many of the children work in various parts (in the office, helping out with the younger children, in the garden, or in the kitchen) and have different responsibilities. Don't worry - the kids have LOTS of time to play! Even though they have lots of chores here, the idea is that they grow up to be conscientious members of society who have a lot of experience in a lot of different fields. By having so many responsibilities, the kids learn to look after one another, while at the same time learning how to take care of themselves once they leave the home. It may sound like they do a lot of work, and it's true they do a LOT, but the kids never complain about the work, and are always happy to help with a smile on their faces. One big difference between the kids here and the kids in the US (while there are a lot), is that these kids are more than willing to help ANYONE who needs it, and they are always smiling. I love that :)

Anyway, I think this is enough for now - I'll bore you with more details later. But for now, know that this is a wonderful place to be, and that while I am very tired, I am enjoying every minute of it :) Hasta luego!