HAITI
MEXICO
Home opened 1987
Home opened 1954
1954 1955 1959 1964 1970 1971 1979 1979 1985 1989 1997 1998 2000 2005 2007 2009 2014
Fr. William Wasson met the first pequeño and NPH was born Due to Hurricane Hilda, 69 boys are in the family Girls joined the family NPH built its own high school in Cuernavaca Hacienda San Salvador in Miacatlán, was purchased High school student home, Casa Buen Señor, was built Family moved to home in Miacatlán Casa San Luis university student home opens in Monterrey English program began in Yarnell, Arizona Father Wasson won the Aztec Eagle award Milpillas garbage dump outreach program began Lifeteen, a Christian youth group program began Art therapy program began in Casa San Salvador First Milpillas university student graduated Casa Villa’s transitional program in Cuernavaca opened City of the Children in Matamoros opened NPH Mexico celebrates 60 years of family life!
HONDURAS
Fr. William B.Wasson 1949 1953 1954 1963 1974 1977 1979 1981 1985 1987 1989 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006
William B. Wasson, born in Arizona, arrives in Mexico William Wasson was ordained in Cuernavaca’s Cathedral Fr. Wasson founded Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos After nine years, 396 pequeños, made up the NPH family Fr. Wasson received Honorary Franciscan robe Fr. Wasson won the Luis Elizondo Humanitarian Award Fr. Wasson was awarded the Good Samaritan Award Fr. Wasson accepted the Franciscan International Award Fr. Wasson opened a home in Honduras Haiti – next country where Fr. Wasson opened a home Mexico honored Fr. Wasson with Aztec Eagle Award Fr. Wasson established a home in Nicaragua Fr. Wasson opened a home in Guatemala The National Caring Award was awarded to Fr. Wasson Fr. Wasson established a home in El Salvador Fr. Wasson received the World of Children Award Fr. Wasson opened a home in Dominican Republic Golden Jubilee and 80th birthday of Fr. Wasson Fr. Wasson opened a home in Peru Bolivia, the 9th home, was founded by Fr. Wasson Fr. Wasson died in Cottonwood, Arizona at age of 82
years
1987 1989 1999 2004 2006 2007 2006 2008 2010
St. Helene home in Kenscoff opened
Fr. Wasson Angels of Light Program (FWAL) began
St. Helene boys’ soccer team play in Danone Nations Cup, in S. Africa
New programs began at St Damien: Maternity and Neonatology
Cholera center for adults and pediatrics began
Fr. Wasson started first medical center in Petionville Kay Christine, home for children with disabilities opened Outpatient services to disabled patients in Wharf Jeremy St. Damien Pediatric Hospital opened in Tabarre Former hospital reopens as Fr. Wasson Center Cancer Center at St. Damien Hospital opened
years
Congress approved NPH Honduras’ legal status NPH Honduras received the first four children Primary school and vocational workshops opened Casa de los Angeles opened, home for special needs children Casa Eva opened, home for abandoned elderly External clinic opened to serve the community Preschool and kindergarten Montessori program began Emergency aid and housing program began for victims of Hurricane Mitch First pequeño, Marlon Velasquez, graduated from university Hermanos Mayores, (Big Brother & Sister) program, began Pasos Pequeñitos opened, day care for single mothers Holy Family Surgery Center official opened First pequeño in the home graduated from medical school Assumed managed of community Soup Kitchen External scholarship program began Youth in Action Leadership group began Bakery and cheese making facility opened Special needs boys’ home opened
years
Kay Germaine rehabilitation center and school opened Fr. Wasson Center collapsed in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake
Don Bosco students move into their new homes
2012 Fr. Rick Frechette, won prestigious international Opus Prize
FWAL Pre-school, elementary school, and baby house opened
2012 Earthquake monument built, Hotel Villa Francesca completed 2013 Construction began on four houses for FWAL complex
Kay Gabriel, adult and pediatric therapy center opened
1996 1997 1999 2001 2002 2003 2006 2007 2009 2010 2012 2013
First children arrived in temporary home in Sacatepequez Education Center opened Home moved to Chimaltenango Pre-primary Montessori school opened First pequeños graduated from high school Construction began at new property San Andres Itzapa Move to new home Casa San Andrés in San Andres Itzapa Construction of the Babies’ House was completed Government certification of vocational workshops NPH School began a community scholarship program Girls’ empowerment program began Hermanos Mayores program began, support for former pequeños Construction completed on Montessori School First pequeño graduated from university
NICARAGUA
years
1994 1995 1996 2002 2003 2006 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
First children arrived at home in Granada San Marcos farm was purchased on Ometepe Island Land for home purchased on Ometepe Island First graduations of primary school Hosted International Board meeting First graduations of secondary school First university pequeño graduated Initial group of pequeños moved to new home in Jinotepe Remainder of family moved to new home Community therapy, Samaritan Project, began on Ometepe Island Construction of school, workshops, multi-use hall, visitor’s home and clinic Outreach program began for street children in capital Community assistance to families in garbage dump and other social service programs began Hosted Annual NPH International Soccer Tournament Greenhouse construction completed
years
2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Home opened 2005
First children arrived and lived in rented home in San Pedro Construction began at new property First six homes were completed Arrival of the first nuns from Colombia Opening of preschool through 4th grade Central kitchen and three more homes were built Construction completed on clinic and primary school Greenhouse, Chapel and Polly’s Park opened Volunteer house was completed Internship program began Home hosted first child from Haiti for cancer treatment Visitor house was completed Multiuse building completed Hosted International Board meeting First two pequeñas began university Inauguration of two story high school and special needs home
Home opened 1999
years
BOLIVIA
Home opened 2003
EL SALVADOR
Home opened 1994
Home opened 1985
1985 1986 1988 1989 1992 1998 2000 2003 2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Home opened 1996
2011 Kay Eliane rehabilitation center in Petionville opened
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
GUATEMALA
1999 2000 2000 2004 2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
First 12 children arrived in Santa Ana NPH El Salvador officially registered with government Groundbreaking ceremony of new property First graduations of primary school Construction completed and inauguration of new home “Casa Sagrada Familia” Arrival of Regional Director, Rev. Ronald Hicks Construction and opening of sewing workshop Construction completed on Divino Salvador chapel Hosted International Board meeting and First Annual NPH International Soccer tournament Three additional workshops opened; bakery, carpentry and welding Agricultural program began with support from local government Computer lab built with local donation Youth group “Cristo Paz” began Two pequeñas graduated from nursing school First university student graduated
years
PERU Home opened 2004
years
2004 2006 2007 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Home opened with first two children in town of Cajamarca Land purchased in San Vicente de Cañete, for permanent home Family moved to temporary home in Lunahuaná First three students graduated from high school Two homes were completed at future home location Construction of six homes completed and family moved First three pequeños began university Construction of three houses, including volunteer house Kitchen construction completed Three youths won full university scholarships provided by the Peruvian government Dining hall and babies house slated to be completed
2005 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Home opened in Santa Cruz with a family of six children Construction began at new home site, Casa Padre Wasson Six houses and dining hall were completed Family moved to new location with 50 children First three pequeños graduated from high school Two more homes were constructed National Director house was constructed Home population reach 100 children First three pequeños began university Baby house was constructed Vegetable garden and livestock program began Opening of school, clinic and volunteer house Visitor’s and caregiver house slated to be completed
years
Fr. Wasson brought NPH youths from Mexico to Yarnell, Arizona, to take advantage of scholarships offered in Northern Arizona. The expansion program officially became known as the English Language Learning Center.
NPH Dominican Republic opened in San Pedro de Macoris with seven children. Fr. Wasson started first medical center in Petionville, Haiti.
Fr. Wasson and life-long friend, Dr. Michael Maccoby met.
Fundraising office in France opened.
Fundraising office in Canada opened.
Fr. Wasson accepted the Franciscan International Award.
Fr. Wasson wrote “Gospel in the Dust.”
Fundraising office in Netherlands opened.
2013
2010
Devastating twin disasters of Haiti earthquake and cholera, created new and expanded programs in childcare, healthcare and emergency aid.
2012
City of the Children of Matamoros, the new home in northern Mexico, opened its doors.
2011
2006
2009
2014
NPHI Family Services Fifth Annual Youth Development Conference was hosted in NPH Nicaragua. Fr. Rick Frechette, National Director of NPH Haiti, won prestigious international Opus Prize.
Fundraising office in Spain opened NPH Peru family moved to their new home in San Vicente de Cañete.
Fr. Wasson opened a home in Peru. NPH enters its 50th year of serving children. NPH International Medical Services Department was initiated.
The children of war torn El Salvador were welcomed into the NPH family. Olegario Campos is National Director.
Fr. Wasson passes away on August 16th. He is buried alongside his parents in Yarnell, Arizona, U.S. Memorials are held in all the NPH homes and all around the world.
Fundraising office in New Zealand opened.
Construction completed on Fr. Wasson Angels of Light baby house and preschool – elementary school. os Hermano sI ueñ eq
ational ern nt
Nueva Esperanza – Emergency aid and housing program began for victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras.
2008
2003
2005
NPH International Family Services Department was initiated.
Fundraising office opened in Switzerland.
Fr. Wasson and the pequeños are grateful to have the help of the Sisters.
Bolivia is the latest home to join the NPH family.
2004 2001
Fundraising office in Belgium opened.
Bolivia family moved to their new home, Casa Padre Wasson.
2002
1999
Guatemala became the third Central American country that joined the family.
The local judge continued to send Fr. Wasson boys who were incarcerated for petty crimes.
Fr. Wasson celebrated his Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of his priesthood. On December 21st, Fr. Wasson celebrated his 80th birthday.
2000
1992
1997
Fundraising office in Ireland opened.
1994
1989
Fr. Wasson and Fr. Rick Frechette traveled to Haiti where there is an overwhelming need for a hospice and orphanage; Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs Haiti opened.
The National Caring Award was awarded to Fr. Wasson.
Fundraising office in Italy opened.
1998
Fundraising offices in Austria and Germany opened.
Fr. Wasson met Mother Teresa.
Fr. Wasson established an NPH home on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua.
1996
1985
1982 Fr. Wasson was awarded the Good Samaritan Award.
Fr. Phil Cleary is named National Director for NPH Mexico.
1991
Fr. Wasson received Honorary Franciscan robe.
Completed construction of special needs homes (Dominican Republic and Honduras) and construction of Kay Gabriel adult and pediatric rehabilitation therapies, at NPH Haiti.
Nuest ros P
A portion of the NPH Family moved to Hacienda Alcolman.
Casa San Salvador in Miacatlán, Mexico, is acquired; work begins to refurbish the old sugar plantation.
1984
1979
1987
NPH built its own high school in Cuernavaca.
1974
Joan Provencio was appointed National Director of NPH Mexico.
1981
1969
1964
Mexico honored Fr. Wasson with Aztec Eagle Award.
Fr. Wasson opened a home in Honduras.
1977
1971
1968
Casa Buen Señor is built for the high school students in Cuernavaca.
First Annual NPH International Soccer Tournament hosted at NPH El Salvador.
Fr. Wasson received the World of Children Award.
Fr. Wasson was awarded the Luis Elizondo Humanitarian Award, a Mexican National Prize given for contribution to the children of Mexico. Fr. Wasson was the only U.S. citizen to receive this award.
1972
Girls joined the NPH family.
Our Little Brothers and Sisters, Inc. is established in Virginia to raise funds for NPH by Frank and Polly Krafft.
1970
1959
1954
The first of NPH USA (then Friends of Our Little Brothers) offices incorporated.
1965
Fr. Wasson shared his love of learning with the pequeños, with the goal of creating future teachers.
After nine years, 396 pequeños, or little ones, made up the NPH family.
1963
1958
Fr. Wasson is given custody of the first boy after he was caught stealing from the church poor box because “he was hungry.”
1957
1953
NPH Mexico extended its reach to families in the Milpillas garbage dump. Children are bused each day & attend school at NPH, are able to shower, wear a clean uniform, have breakfast, lunch, medical & dental care.
The final move took place to San Salvador in Miacatlán. Reconstruction of dormitories, kitchen, general rooms, etc. was completed. Also the first group of students arrived in July at their new home in Monterrey to study at the university level.
Fr. William Wasson, founder of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos,™ is ordained in Cuernavaca, Mexico and assigned to a chapel in the market.
Reinhart Koehler was named President of NPH International.
2007
Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos 1954 – 2014
ears g 60 y Celebratinf family life o
NPH International Leadership Institute with a charter class of five pequeño/as began in Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Timeline 1954–2014 info@nph.org • nph.org