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Friends of the Orphans
For more than 40 years, Friends of the Orphans has worked to end the vicious cycle of poverty by giving safe and loving homes and brighter futures to children in Latin America and the Caribbean. We do this through fundraising and volunteer efforts that support Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH, Spanish for “Our Little Brothers and Sisters”). Together, we transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and disadvantaged children by creating families for life through values of unconditional love, shared responsibility and education. This enables children to grow into caring and productive members of their communities. By making a difference in the lives of the children, our supporters’ lives may be enhanced as well.
The Friends International Volunteer Program sends qualified individuals, couples and families to support the staff and children living in the homes of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru.
Interview with Vicky Medley, International Volunteer Coordinator at Friends of the Orphans
GO: Tell us a little about Friends of the Orphans and your role at the company.
Vicky: Friends of the Orphans supports Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (Spanish for Our Little Brothers and Sisters). Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos raises over 1,700 orphaned and abandoned children in 9 homes throughout Latin America. NPH is a large family, and children are not put up for adoption; they are lovingly raised along with their siblings in large homes with schools, clinics, libraries, farms and many other children (that we call “Pequeños”). Friends of the Orphans raises funds, awareness and volunteers to help support NPH.
I am the only staff member that works exclusively with our International volunteers, but each of our 6 regional offices supports our International Volunteers before, during and after service.
GO: How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?
Vicky: My husband and I were volunteers at NPH Honduras when we were first married. It was an incredible year, and an incredible way to begin our marriage. After our volunteer year we remained active as donors and sponsors, and when Friends became involved in the screening of volunteers the timing was right for me to take the International Volunteer Coordinator job. I love that this job allows me to stay active in the NPH family, and help lots of others serve at our homes.
GO: What makes Friends of the Orphans unique?
Vicky: As far as volunteer programs go, I think everyone finds the right niche for themselves. Most volunteers choose us who 1) want to work with children 2) want to serve for a year or more 3) want to serve in Latin America.
Other unique aspects of our program are that we offer professional placements that keep volunteers on their career tracks. We have volunteers work in healthcare, communication, project coordination, etc. Lastly, we do not charge any fees, aside from a $20 background check once a volunteer has been accepted to serve with us. Volunteers must pay for their transportation, which is usually the largest cost. We pay our volunteers a stipend and provide room and board. Some volunteers choose us because we are a Catholic family, but we accept volunteers from all different faith backgrounds.
GO: In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?
Vicky: Our International Volunteers must have enormous amounts of patience, flexibility and a deep love for children. They need to be easy going, self motivated, humble and very hard working. We prefer volunteers who speak some Spanish or Creole, but we know those skills can be learned. We also prefer volunteers who have traveled abroad.
GO: How do you ensure your programs are sustainable and mutually beneficial for you, the community, and the volunteers?
Vicky:The volunteers comprise a very small fraction of the NPH staff. Most of the caregivers and long-term staff are local employees, and many of them are Pequeños themselves. Volunteers fill roles that are hard to fill with local staff, including therapists, teachers, tutors, etc. Since volunteers are in the minority at our homes, they learn a tremendous amount about culture and language and service while they serve.
Friends of the Orphans is part of a global network of fundraising offices that raise money in a variety of ways, which ensures our sustainability. NPH has fundraising offices throughout Europe, in Canada and New Zealand, and they raise funds in the countries where the homes are located.
