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Timeline

A Chronological Look at the History of NPH

The story of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos began in 1953 when Father William Wasson responded with compassion and love to a theft by a young boy. His act of kindness paved the way for an enduring philosophy of service, rooted in Christian values, to take hold and spread, breaking the cycle of poverty for children and families. Over the years, more than 20,000 children have grown up in the NPH family. Fr. Wasson’s vision spread from Mexico to Honduras, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, and then south to Peru and Bolivia.

Each country’s programs and services are adapted to the needs of the children in each community.

1964

NPH builds its own high school in Cuernavaca.

1963

Fr. Wasson and lifelong friend Dr. Michael Maccoby meet in 1963

Fr. Wasson and lifelong friend Dr. Michael Maccoby meet. After nine years, 396 pequeños, or little ones, make up the NPH family.

1959

Girls joins the NPH family in 1959

Girls joins the NPH family.

1958

Fr. Wasson shares his love of learning with the pequeños with the goal of creating future teachers in 1958

Fr. Wasson shares his love of learning with the pequeños with the goal of creating future teachers.

1957

In 1957, The local judge continues to send Fr. Wasson boys would be sentenced to incarceration for petty crimes

The local judge proceeds to sentence the boy for petty crime.

1954

In 1954, Fr. Wasson is given custody of the first boy after he was caught stealing from the church poor box because “he was hungry.”

Fr. Wasson is given custody of the first boy after he was caught stealing from the church poor box because “he was hungry.”

1953

Fr. William Wasson, founder of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, is ordained in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and assigned to a chapel in the market in 1953

Fr. William Wasson, founder of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, is ordained in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and assigned to a chapel in the market.