Youth make up 29.61% of the Honduran population, according to the platform Population Pyramids 2022. Of these, only the 24% have access to continue studying after they turn 14-years-old, according to ASJ, ‘Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa’. This is why NPH Honduras has spent the last 36 years implementing programs to help young people complete their university studies, find steady jobs, and form a family. Through this, NPH contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and changes their lives forever.
One example is Nelson Alvarez, an NPH beneficiary who recently graduated from university as a social worker. Nowadays, he works to benefit the lives of hundreds of girls and boys in vulnerable situations. Nelson Álvarez was born in Yuscarán, a picturesque colonial town in eastern Honduras famous for its once-prosperous gold and silver mines. Nelson’s father left the family while Nelson was still very young and his mother died of kidney failure when he was two.
“I was always interested in studying. I wanted to be a great professional. However, I knew it was not going to be easy. I was living with my sister and my grandmother, and we did not have the financial means to support my classes. That is why my grandmother decided to request support from NPH, and without thinking twice they accepted me as part of the family,” says Nelson Álvarez.
Nelson arrived at Rancho Santa Fe when he was 12 years old. He remembers that he arrived with a smile on his face, wearing pajamas and boots. Nelson went straight to the internal clinic to begin his evaluation and adaptation process. “I missed my grandmother and my house a lot, despite her poverty. A month passed in which I cried every day. But then, I got used to my new home. It was hard for me to get up at 6 AM to go to school, but at the same time it motivated me to know that one day I would achieve my dream,” says Nelson.
On some occasions, Nelson received visits from family members, but sometimes these became difficult due to financial problems. With an intense shine in his eyes and a satisfied smile, he says that at NPH there is no time to be sad. There are always many recreational and learning activities. “I spent 19 years growing up within the largest family in Honduras. I have many good memories here. What I liked the most were Family Thursdays, when we could all cook together in the home,” Nelson concludes. This young man’s academic successes occurred not only at Rancho Santa Fe, nor from 2006 – 2010, when he attended high school in Tegucigalpa, the capital. Nelson also shone as a participant in the Seattle Leadership Program, an NPH initiative. Thanks to the sponsors, this was a regular NPH program years ago, but unfortunately this is not active anymore. This experience allowed the beneficiaries to study in the United States for 10 months. During this visit, they participated in cultural exchange activities, and learned English, while they were trained to deepen their analysis of social reality and enhance their leadership skills.
“This was a time to take advantage of this big learning opportunity. I liked having a host family, getting to know other cultures, foods, and languages. I had the opportunity to give a speech to 250 people, an analysis of a book called “Enrique’s Journey”. Something that I treasure very much is that my sponsor helped me practice every night, and this was like that for a month. This was precisely when I was inspired to study social work. Likewise, a phrase from Fr. Wasson motivated me to take the final step – “where there is a need, there should always be a little one reaching out to help,” says Nelson. After this experience, Nelson started to study at the UNAH, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. A few months ago, Nelson graduated from university with academic excellence. During his last semester, NPH opened the doors for him to have his professional internship at the San José Family Center. Then, Nelson got his current job as a social worker at Casa Mi Esperanza, in Catacamas, Olancho. “I always aspired to work at NPH because I felt the need to give back directly to the family where I grew up. I like to provide solutions in various situations and I know that I can offer my empathy to the students. Casa Mi Esperanza is a beautiful program that allows me to work for the reintegration of children and young people. I participate in the family search processes and I follow up on the cases. I love what I do! And I love that my grandma is proud of me,” says Nelson.
After this experience, Nelson started to study at the UNAH, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras. A few months ago, Nelson graduated from university with academic excellence. During his last semester, NPH opened the doors for him to have his professional internship at the San José Family Center. Then, Nelson got his current job as a social worker at Casa Mi Esperanza, in Catacamas, Olancho. “I always aspired to work at NPH because I felt the need to give back directly to the family where I grew up. I like to provide solutions in various situations and I know that I can offer my empathy to the students. Casa Mi Esperanza is a beautiful program that allows me to work for the reintegration of children and young people. I participate in the family search processes and I follow up on the cases. I love what I do! And I love that my grandma is proud of me,” says Nelson.
Besides his important role in supporting the most vulnerable children, Nelson is also going the extra mile by helping 23 municipal councils in the Olancho department to develop new effective strategies to protect the rights of local girls, boys, and adolescents. Nelson supports the councils to modify laws and helps to organize workshops to improve their work.
NPH Honduras continues to fulfill its mission each time a family member fulfills their dreams. In 2021, six young people from NPH Honduras graduated from university, with 9 more expected to graduate in 2022. And like Nelson Álvarez, today they offer hope and service for many people in vulnerable situations.
Do you want us to continue impacting the lives of many young people? Go to www.nph.org/done-ahora-honduras to provide support.