Reunited with Misael

I have been with NPH Honduras for over five years working as the Home Correspondent. In 2003, I had the opportunity to spend 2 weeks at our home in El Salvador to help them develop their website content. I thought before arriving, that I could never have the same connection with children in another home as much as Honduras. I was wrong. In El Salvador I found a large rented house with over 100 boys ages 8-18. They immediately welcomed me and I soon felt right at home with many curious children asking questions concerning my life and habits. “Tia, why do you paint your hair, do those holes in your ears hurt; pulling in and out my earrings, do you know that caffeine is a drug?”...as I sipped my morning coffee.

These were the cutest boys I had ever seen until I met Misael. Misael was a 6 month old infant who lived in the babies home. His case was referred to NPH by the Secretary of Health. His father was paralyzed from the waste down and has since died. To add to the difficulty, his mother is mentally ill and could not properly care for him and his 3 siblings. They had no electricity, no water, no bathroom and hardly any food.

I was able to see his home, meet his father and document bringing his half-brother, Carlos, to the NPH home.

Almost 4 years later, during the February International Meeting in El Salvador, I got to see Misael again. A shy at first, little 5 year old. He agreed to sit with me during mass where he looked at me inquisitively. The children, like in Honduras, grow up so fast. In a blink of an eye this little infant is now in kindergarten and his older brother Carlos is in the percussion group playing the bongos. When I spoke to Carlos and told him that I remembered his home and his family he told me that his goal is to continue to study to help support his brothers. His eyes shone with such pride as he played with the music group and I thought what a life changing opportunity for this family. There are countless stories like this within our homes but it makes such an impression when you see the results over the years that NPH achieves. It also validates the work that everyone contributes to, everyone that participates in this NPH family is helping a family like Carlos and Misael.