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Country Overview 2 Visitor’s Guide: The NPH Home 3 Travel Tips 5 Suggested Packing List 7 NPH Contact Information 9 Country Overview Google Guide Sources: The CIA World Factbook, Fodor’s Travel, Lonely Planet.com, UNICEF

Guatemala is the most populous of the Central A Brief History American countries. The From the 4th to the 10th century, the 36-year long guerrilla war. During those majority of its population Mayan civilization flourished in decades, with changing , is formed by Indigenas, Guatemala. By the 1500s with the the country remained largely in the direct descendants of arrival of the Spanish, the Maya, hands of the powerful elite composed Mayan tribes, who are although their golden age had long mainly of big landowners, the military still deeply rooted in their since ended, still lived simply and and industrialists. The oppression of a traditional culture. peacefully in villages throughout large part of the population persisted Guatemala. In 1524, the conquistador through acts of terror and killing sprees Area: 42,042 square miles Pedro de Alvarado entered the nation aimed to eliminate support for any – about the size of in search of wealth. opposition towards the elite. In 1996, a Tennessee peace treaty was finally signed, but The Spanish effectively enslaved the tragically it is estimated more than Population: 15,460,732 indigenous population, as was done 200,000 individuals were killed and (July 2017 estimate) throughout Latin America, until finally another one million were displaced. Languages: Spanish in 1821, there was a revolt strong enough to win Guatemala its Since the peace accords, Guatemala 60%, Amerindian independence. The Maya people, has continued to face great problems languages 40% although then technically free, were and is plagued with violence and still enslaved in an unfair economic inequity. Illiteracy, infant mortality and and social system, which put them in malnutrition are among the highest in 50% of children under debt to the land-owning elite. the region, and life expectancy is age 18 live in poverty. among the lowest. It is also a major Since the 1800s Guatemala has faced corridor of drug trafficking. For many issues spurred by modernization, precisely these reasons, we created a Climate/Environment politicization and militarization. safe and loving home for orphaned Mostly mountainous Throughout the 20th century a constant and abandoned children in Guatemala, with narrow coastal and brutal struggle between right wing where they can find a family who will plains and a rolling dictatorial military regimes and support them and offer them love, limestone plateau dissenters took place culminating in a safety and hope for the future. Tropical climate: hot and humid in the lowlands and cooler in Below: Antigua Cathedral, Francisco Anzola/WikiCommons; Lake Atitlan, NPH International the highlands Volcanoes; susceptible to hurricanes on the coast Environmental issues include water pollution, soil erosion and deforestation Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 2 The NPH Home

In 1996, the Guatemalan gave permission to Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”)to establish a home for abandoned children, and Hogar San Bernardo was founded. Thanks to generous donations from around the world, NPH was able to purchase 25 acres of land for a permanent home in 1997. After budget shortages delayed the construction several times, the basic buildings were finally completed in August 2003. The home, namedCasa San Andres, is situated 4,900 feet above sea level in the highlands, about an hour from .

Casa San Andres

14 15 1. Entrance 16 2. Medical clinic 3. Offices 4. School 5. Workshops 13 6. Volunteer, staff and visitor homes 12 7. Dining hall and kitchen 8. Chapel 9. Montessori school 10. Soccer field 11 10 11. Farm land 12. Special needs kids’ home 12. Babies’ home 9 13. Day care 7 14. Girls’ home 15. Laundry 8 16. Boys’ home

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200 ft. 1 100 m Google Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 3 Daily Life

Typical Day at Casa San Andres Highlights • The school year in Guatemala is January – October. The curriculum includes Spanish, social studies, natural sciences, English, arts and crafts, music and sports. 5:00 a.m. Wake up, make beds, get dressed • There are five nationally certified vocational workshops: 6:15 a.m. Breakfast Baking, Cooking, Carpentry, Metalwork, and Sewing. 7:00 a.m. School • Two special projects - Family Bakery and The Smile 1:00 p.m. Lunch Shop - were launched in 2015. The bakery offers 2:00 p.m. Workshops for middle school kids fresh pastries made on site and coffee to help local 3:00 p.m. Working time for children not in fundraising. It is staffed by students who gain workshops professional experience and business management 4:00 p.m. Homework for children not in skills. The Smile Shop is an integrated learning store for workshops children and young adults with physical and cognitive 5:00 p.m. Free time disabilities. Participants make and sell healthy snacks, 6:00 p.m. Dinner attend to clients, and manage resources, learning skills 7:00 p.m. Free time for independence. 8:00 p.m. Bedtime

Responsibility Godchildren Responsibility is one of the most important values that NPH If you sponsor a child at NPH tries to instill in their children. This is why each child is Guatemala, arrangements will be expected to not only be responsible for him or herself, but made for him/her to spend time with to contribute to the family. This includes traditional chores you during your visit. Please contact such as washing clothes, cleaning, and serving food. your regional office if you are interested in becoming a Godparent. Each child also has additional responsibilities after school and during the weekends. Some work in the gardens, while others care for the grounds and clean common areas. Everyone knows how much effort goes into caring for their home and all the people who live there.

After attending high school, pequeños are asked to give two years of service to the home.

Community Outreach NPH Guatemala’s outreach programs include:

• Over 180 children from low-income families in the local area attend the NPH school for free, or are attending other schools on scholarships paid for by NPH. • The home’s medical clinic assists people from the surrounding communities. Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 4 Travel Tips Please read NPH International’s Entry Requirements Visitor Policy and Guidelines, All travelers are required to have a sign the form and return it to your trip coordinator. valid U.S. passport to enter and exit Guatemala. While a visa is not Central Standard Time required, your passport must remain All visitors are welcome to bring UTC/GMT -6 hours valid until your return date. additional snacks to share. Be sure to bring things that can withstand hot Vaccinations and humid conditions and preferably Before traveling to Guatemala, are individually wrapped. please consult your physician and visit www.cdc.gov/travel Water Tap water at NPH Guatemala is safe to When traveling abroad, we Transportation recommend enrolling in drink – it is purified and tested twice a • For group trips organized by the U.S. Department of week. Outside the home, DRINK NPH USA, transportation will be State’s Smart Traveler BOTTLED WATER ONLY. provided by NPH. Enrollment Program • Do NOT hitchhike under any (STEP). This free service Bathroom Etiquette circumstances. helps the U.S. government It is not possible to flush toilet paper in most Latin American countries due know where citizens are, Accommodations so they can notify and to the poor plumbing systems. Toilet Lodging varies depending on trip assist them in case of paper and all sanitary products must package. See specific trip information emergency. To enroll, visit be thrown in small waste baskets next or consult the coordinator for details. http://step.state.gov/step to the toilet. DO NOT flush toilet paper or sanitary products while Food visiting the NPH home. While at NPH facilities, we will eat just like the children and staff at Bring travel toilet paper, or a small  specific mealtimes: packet of facial tissues on day trips. • Breakfast: 6:15 a.m. The goal of the trip is to Tissue is not always available in • Lunch: 1:00 p.m. have fun, experience the public bathrooms. • Dinner: 6:00 p.m. and meet the inspiring Medical Assitance Food at NPH is NEVER wasted. If you children of NPH. Each The home’s clinic is staffed 24/7 and can are unsure you will like what is being traveler has so much to handle a wide array of minor situations. served, ask for only “un poquito” (a share with this great little), and if you cannot finish, family and so much to Electricity please offer it to one of the kids. learn. We hope that each Electrical outlets are 120 volt/60 visitor grows from their hertz, so no adapters are needed. While on day trips, we will eat in interactions with the You should expect power outages, restaurants where we are sure that children we support, just which are common in Latin America. food will be prepared safely. as your visit helps them to do the same. Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 5 Travel Tips (continued)  Terms to Know E-mail & Phones See page 9 for While at NPH, you will have access to Good morning/afternoon/evening! - emergency contact Wifi: ask the Visitor Coordinator for ¡Buenos días/tardes/noches! information. the access code. You may also ask if See you later! - ¡Hasta luego! you can use one of the home’s How are you? - ¿Cómo está? computers in the office. Please keep in PLEASE DO NOT Fine, thank you. - Bien, gracias. mind that it is not permitted to lend give children your Please - Por favor phones or computers to the children. address, e-mail or Excuse me - Permiso There also are nearby Internet cafés for phone number Do you speak English? - ¿Habla inglés? e-mail and phone calls. even if you are Yes - Sí their sponsor. No - No Clothing Thank you - Gracias Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are a must! The days You’re welcome - De nada are hot, so light clothing – shorts, slacks, cotton T-shirts, How old are you? - ¿Cuántos años tiene? sandals and/or running shoes – is appropriate. However, it How much is this? - ¿Cuánto es? can be cold at night, so you will want to have sweaters and/or More - más a jacket, long pants and socks. A little bit - un poquito House - casa Keep in mind to dress conservatively and in a tidy manner. Home - hogar Please do not wear anything torn, too short or provocative. School - escuela If you have any piercings other than ears, please take them Backpack - mochila out during your visit. If you have any tattoos, please keep Office - oficina them covered. In Guatemala, tattoos are associated with Kitchen - cocina gang activities and we do not want the children to have a Water - agua negative impression of you. Food - comida - arroz and Credit Cards Beans - frijoles Guatemala’s currency, the quetzal (ket-sahl, abbreviated to Spoon - cuchara Q), is fairly stable at around Q7.5 = U.S. $1. The quetzal is Fork - tenedor divided into 100 centavos. The U.S. Dollar also became an Cup - vaso official currency in 2001 and is widely accepted. ATMs are Plate - plato most everywhere except the smallest towns. Many places accept credit cards, but please remember that credit card fraud is increasing all over the world, and while it should not stop you from using your cards, you should be cautious. NPH-Related Tipping In Guatemala, tipping is a reward for good service, not an obligation. Restaurant bills do not include gratuities – adding Pequeño/a - literally “little,” but it is 10% is customary. Bellhops and room maids expect tips only the term used for all NPH children in the most expensive hotels. A small tip for tour guides and Tío/a - literally aunt or uncle, but at taxi drivers is appreciated but not expected. NPH it is a caretaker Safety Fr. Wasson - Padre Wasson (Founder Outside the gates of NPH, we recommend that you never of NPH) go alone anywhere. Be vigilant in regards to your Padrino - Godfather (Sponsor) surroundings. While at the home, we will be in a very safe Madrina - Godmother (Sponsor) and controlled environment. However, it is important to remember to watch your personal property. Our children Ahijdo/a - Godchild have all come from very different backgrounds and while Hermano/a Mayor - Older brother/sister NPH tries to help them realize that they are safe now, - the term for a former pequeño/a or many of them are still in survival mode. They are not graduate of NPH malicious, but for many, taking is the only way they have ever survived. Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 6 Suggested Packing List

Clothes Personal Items • Lightweight travel clothes - there is no laundry • Pillow facility, but you can hand wash! • Umbrella We often leave pillows, • Jeans/shorts/travel pants - your preference • Water bottle towels, sheets and • Comfortable shoes for walking - tennis shoes • Camera/Charger dinnerware for the home or something with closed toes • Fly paper to keep after we leave. • Poncho/lightweight rain jacket • Sunglasses • Sweater, fleece jacket or sweatshirt - it is cold • Flashlight (plus extra batteries) at night • Travel alarm clock (if desired) • “Bug off” clothing - REI or Ex Officio (if sensitive to mosquitoes) Snacks/Food • One “nicer,” but still casual outfit While we encourage everyone to eat the food provided (it is tasty), if you are worried about not Remember to dress conservatively. No visible liking the food, or getting enough, consider packing undergarments; nothing torn, ripped or too short. some pasta or another substitution for a meal, just in case. In addition, you may also want to bring: Toiletries • Hand sanitizer • Granola bars/fruit bars/popcorn/snacks to share • Shampoo/Conditioner • Gatorade packets (it is easy to get dehydrated) • Soap (we recommend a pack of disposable • Good ground coffee and sugar to share face cloths that have soap in the fibers. They work as soap and a washcloth.) Other • Toothbrush/paste • Passport • Deodorant • Two copies of passport and credit card • Razor information: leave one copy at home • Earplugs • Pictures of your family to show kids • Soap for washing clothes (if you want) (great conversation starters!) • Suntan lotion and/or postcards • Insect repellant • Small packet of facial tissues Do NOT Bring • Travel toilet paper • Expensive or irreplacebale jewelry or other valuable Medicines items • Personal perscriptions (can be hard to get or • Flashy gifts expensive outside the U.S.) • Pepto Bismol/Immodium • Advil/Tylenol/Excedrin • Cipro/antibiotic for travelers’ diarrhea • Benadryl/Hydrocortisone • Bandages/Neosporin • Emergen-C/cough drops Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 7 Gifts Visitors often ask what items they can bring for the children. Following are some suggestions.

Clothing and Shoes Hygiene • Underwear • Feminine products PLEASE DO NOT • Socks • Shampoo • Bring candy or small • Sandals • Soap items to randomly pass • Toothpaste out. This can result in Education/Arts & Crafts • Toothbrushes (for kids AND adults) hurt feelings among • Books in Spanish children who do not • Coloring books Health Care receive anything. • Colored pencils and crayons • Vitamins • Bring expensive gifts, • Glue and tape • Bandages such as music players, • Scissors • Neosporin video games or jewelry. • Construction paper • Tylenol This may unintentionally • Play-Doh create feelings of • Yarn and pipe cleaners These items are always needed in jealousy and cause • Beads the clinic. Please contact us if you problems for that child. • Stickers are interested in donating other • Give gifts directly to medical supplies. the children. Give Toys & Games (for every age group) them to the home’s • Card games Other Visitor Coordinator or • Board games • Barrettes and hair accessories a staff person. • Jigsaw puzzles (100 pieces max.) • Inexpensive plastic jewelry • Give money to anyone • Marbles • Batteries of various sizes are at the home. This can always needed cause confusion about Sports Equipment and easy to transport how it will be used The kids spend most of their time and will not qualify for outside, so think of items that require When in doubt . . . a tax deduction under little or no maintenance and can be Bring things that NPH needs or U.S. law. Please make shared by everyone! wants, and that get depleted. all donations through If you are still unsure, ask! NPH USA. • Balls • Jump ropes • Air pumps with extra needles

REMEMBER, YOUR VISIT IS A GIFT! Neither NPH nor NPH USA want the children to associate your visit with material items. The best thing that you can bring is you! All your kind words, thoughts and affection are going to be the most lasting gift. Building relationships is the most valuable thing you can offer! Visitor’s Guide: NPH Guatemala • nphusa.org 8 •

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Contact Information •

We suggest you leave this information as well as your flight and hotel details (if applicable) with your emergency contact.  National NPH USA Office 134 North LaSalle Street NPH USA, Federal Tax ID NPH Guatemala #65-1229309, is a registered Suite 500 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that Emergency Contact Chicago, IL 60602-1036 supports the homes, healthcare and Toll-free: 888.201.8880 educational programs of Information Fax: 312.658.0040 Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos. [email protected] Camino Viejo a Parramos Aldea Cajahualten los Corrales San Andres Itzapa, Regional Offices Depto. de Chimaltenango Northwest Midwest Guatemala (AK, HI, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) (IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MO, OH, TN) 1800 112th Avenue NE 134 North LaSalle Street Suite 270-E Suite 500 Phone: 011.502.7849.9308 Bellevue, WA 98004-2961 Chicago, IL 60602-1036 011.502.7849.9309

Phone: 425.646.3935 Phone: 312.386.7499 Fax: 011.502.7849.9308 [email protected] [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]

Southwest Mid-Atlantic/Northeast (AZ, CA, CO, NV, NW, OK, TX, UT) (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NW, NJ, NY, PA, 5110 North 40th Street RI, VT, VA, Washington, D.C., WV) Suite 100 265 Willard Street Phoenix, AZ 85018-2143 3rd Floor Quincy, MA 02169-1565 Phone: 480.967.9449 [email protected] Phone: 617.206.4940 [email protected]

Upper Midwest Southeast (IA, MN, ND, NE, SD, WI) (AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC) 1400 Van Buren Street NE 134 North LaSalle Street Fueled Collective, Suite 210 Suite 500 Minneapolis, MN 55413-4605 Chicago, IL 60602-1036

Phone: 651.482.1703 Phone: 888.201.8880 [email protected] [email protected]

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