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7/31/2019 FFK Newsletter 2003
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7/31/2019 FFK Newsletter 2003
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Page 2
Nuestro Pequinio Hermanos(Our Little Brothers and Sisters)
Ometepe Island is about a one-hour
ferry ride out on Lake Nicaragua. It was
formed by two active volcanoes. Thevolcanic ash has made the soil of the
plains very fertile, so farming is the pri-
mary occupation of the 35,000 people
who live there.
The island is home to two of NPHs
facilities. San Marcos was the first prop-
erty bought on Island in 1994. It was
soon too small to serve the needs of
children, so a second property was
bought and developed. That site, calledCasa Santiago, houses a primary and
secondary school for the children of the
orphanage. As the school is reported to
be the best on the island, students fromthe surrounding communities are en-
rolled in both sections. Workshop train-
ing is available in computers, cosmetol-
ogy, welding, carpentry, electricity and
sewing. For recreation, the children play
soccer, learn the folkloric dances of the
region and swim or play on the lakesshore.
The San Marcos property continues
Ometepe Island
Boys from Casa Santiago on the
island of Ometepe. The volcano
Conception is in the background.
acquired in San Jorge to accommodate
the younger children (7 and under) and
property was purchased on the Island of
Ometepe for the older children. Today
they are home to almost 300 children.If you look closely at the pictures in
these pages you may see clothing, furni-
ture, bikes or some other contribution that
you recognize. Your generosity has really
helped to make this growth possible.
Pepito(Continued from page 1)
Casa SantiagoThe chapel was completed in 2000. It was
designed by Constantino Azuara, an ar-
chitect and former pequeo, and funded
by parishioners of St. Isidores church.
to be used for farm land. Every effort is
being taken to raise and grow the food
consumed by the children each day.
Staff receive training in organic farming
methods in order to eliminate the use of
chemical fertilizers on the farm of SanMarcos and in the gardens at CasaSantiago.
Father Frank has been deeply in-volved in the development of these fa-
cilities. Besides collecting and sending
many shipments of supplies and equip-
ment, he coordinated the involvement of
parishioners from St. Isidores church in
Danville, who funded the construction
of the chapel.
Miguel Angel Sanchez GarciaBorn January 03, 1985
Like so many young people who
arrive on our doorstep, Miguel Angel
Sanchez Garcia has had a difficult life.
His mother abandoned him at a very
young age so he lived with his father, an
abusive alcoholic, and his stepmother.
Miguel's father worked as a street
vendor. Alcohol consumed most of his
income so Miguel Angel had to go to
work when he was very young. He
suffered mistreatment from both hisfather and stepmother and, to escape
from this conflicted situation, Miguel
started to spend most of his time out on
the streets. He tried alcohol and spent
some time in jail for fighting.
Miguel knew that he had gotten into
a vicious circle and he wanted to escape
from it. He came to the NPH (Nuestro
Pequinio Hermanos) offices asking for
help. He was 16 and he knew this would
be his last chance.
Miguel Angel joined our family in
January 2001. He is developing into a
fine young man on our San Marcos farm
on Ometepe Island and is doing very
well with his studies. He recently went
to the finals of the Nicaraguan National
s p e l l i n g c o n t e s t a n a m a z i n g
accomplishment!
There are many others just like
Miguel who come looking for help. God
willing, we will never have to turn any
of them away.
7/31/2019 FFK Newsletter 2003
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Page 3
As Father Frank and Father Cardelli look on, volunteers are busy sort-
ing and folding clothes in the St. Isidore Rectory. A lot of work goes into
preparing the donations for shipping. Help is always needed and very
much appreciated.
Another shipment arrives in Guatemala. The clothing,
medicine, bicycles, computers, toys, sports equipment
and school supplies that youve donated are a tremen-
dous help for the orphanage and school. Aside from themedicines and some of the school supplies, most of these
items are not new. They have been repaired and cleaned
and given a new life among these less fortunate people.
If everyone had the opportunity to see how important
these discards are here, the landfill problems in
America would be resolved.
Two boys (obviously
sports fans) and two
girls in Guatemala
check out some new
clothes. It is obvious
they are very happy
with their choices. It
doesnt take much to
bring a smile to their
faces. Children here
are just as active and
hard on their clothes as
children everywhere
else. These shipments
of clothing are always
well received.
Father Frank and the Ferrante family stand in front of a container that
is just about ready to ship.
7/31/2019 FFK Newsletter 2003
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Page 4
A Visit to Casa Asis and Casa Santiago
Several parishioners from St. Isidores Church in Danville, California traveled to Nicaragua with Father Frank. They had anopportunity to see, first hand, the work that is being done to help these children.
Ali Ferrante fits right in with these children in
Nicaragua. What a wonderful perspective she must
have by being able to see your donations get col-
lected and packed at St. Isidores Church, to wit-
ness the poverty in the country and then to see how
the shipments are making a difference there.
Ann and Tori Ferrante help out with the feeding. Notice how the wall behind
them is painted to create a warm and caring environment for the children.
The Ferrante family has been helping Father Franks Kids for over five
years. This is their first trip to see one of the orphanages. Ann writes: Our
family was truly blessed to witness first hand Gods love shinning in these
childrens faces. Thank you so much for contributing to a cause that makes
such a big difference in the lives of these special children.
Love makes all the difference!!!
Pat Black spends time with two boys at
Casa Asis in San Jorge. You can see in
the background how the walls are
painted with bright colors and murals to
make this a happy place for the children.
Last February my wife Pat and I at-tended our first NPH conference in Nica-
ragua. It was a large attendance with
strong representation from Arizona, Illi-
nois, Virginia, Minnesota and Europe.
We intermingled with the Directors from
the eight Latin American Countries.
Nicaragua is a very poor country.
Lots of bare feet, donkeys and carts, and
tin shacks. It was devastated by a long
civil war. The capital, Managua, suf-
fered a major earthquake a few years
ago and hasnt recovered. It is very
bleak.The highlight to our trip were the two
trips to the orphanages. Casa Asis has
about 50 orphans under age 5. They
looked healthy and happy. We saw some
loving care from the Nun's and their
teachers. The children put on a play
"Cinderella" and their presentation was
very advanced for their age. Their home
was highly self-sufficient with fruit trees,
vegetable gardens, a cow, pigs (to be
slaughtered) and chickens and nets to
catch fish (Casa Asis is on the watersedge).
We took a one and one-half hour boat
ride to the island Ometepe in one of the
worlds largest lakes (Lake Nicaragua).
We had Mass with the children in a
beautiful church built by Fr. Frank's
inheritance funds which he donated.
The children here are 5 to 18 years old.
The orphanage has several large, clean,
and comfortable dormitories and a large
school on about five acres. The children
all looked happy and healthy. In a
country with an average third gradeeducation level, these children will com-
plete high school and some will go to
college. They will be the future leaders
of their country and will be blessed with
a strong moral fiber.
It is remarkable what is being accom-
plished here amidst this poverty. The
donations that are coming in are really
making a difference. We left inspired
and full of determination to continue
supporting this great work.
Our Journey to NicaraguaBy Richard Sanders
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Page 5
This young man enjoys painting.. Here he is happy to show us an example
of his work. Art supplies are always an important item to include in the
shipments.
Father Frank enjoys spending time with the children at the orphan-
ages in El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. Their welfare
is the reason he is constantly working to gather more clothing and sup-
plies. There are hundreds of them whom we affectionately call Father
Franks Kids.
As of January 1st, there were 1421 children in these orphanages. Hon-duras had the largest number with 563, then Guatemala with 320, Nica-
ragua with 284 and El Salvador with 254. Six hundred and twenty-three
were in primary school and 308 are attending secondary or vocational
school. Nineteen are in the university. Forty-five children are disabled
and 314 are in rehabilitation therapy. One hundred and five have had
major surgery and 16 minor surgery.
Its hard to imagine what would have happened to these children had
these orphanages not existed. There are many more who are living on the
streets and in desperate need of the love and care that these orphanages
provide. As father says: There is much yet to be done.
Joel Sequen Sacrapalby Constantino Azuara
Dir. Nuestros Pequeos HermanosGuatemala
Imagine a race so difficult that only a few
make it to the finish line. Now imagine it the
other way around. Everyone makes it except
you. Well that is almost what would have hap-
pened to Joel Sequen had he not realized that he
possessed the potential to make it. Joel has had a
very hard time in school all his life. He always
preferred doing something else instead like
painting or drawing. These are two areas inwhich he is excellent.
Joel joined our NPH family in 1998. He lost
his father to lung disease and his mother was
unable to provide for him. So she decided tolook for a better place for her son, a place where
he could develop and mature. Luckily, he came
to us and despite the complexity in meeting
some goals he is still ready to become a better
person.
It did not make any sense to him. Why did he
have to go to school when he had such a hardtime learning the subjects that he was being
taught. Nevertheless, he knew and it was highly
instilled in him, that he had to finish his school.
He did not have to be the best student in his
class, he already knew he couldnt. But he did
know that he could make it to the end and every-
one pushed him and helped him to make it. This
past October 30th he graduated from Junior High
or Basico as it is called here in Guatemala. He
was very proud to hold his diploma up to metelling me how happy he was and of course I was
very proud of his success.
He still has a way to go but at least now he is
more sure of himself and with your help and our
help he will make it. Who knows? Maybe some-
day he will become a doctor or an artist. It is up
to him to decide. He certainly has the potential.
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Page 6
Father Franks KidsPO Box 478Alamo, California 94507
Sewing Machines - good working orderKnitting Supplies - Yarn & needles
Houseware pots & pans, silverware,
glassware in good condition
Tools for home (metric) and garden
School classroom supplies (blackboards,
chalk & erasers, paper, scissors, pencils) Coloring Books & Crayons Musical Instruments (all kinds including
some larger items like pianos, etc.)
Bicyclesin good working order (all sizes) Sports Equipment (soccer equipment,
basketball equipment, balls, etc.)
Toys (Frisbees, balls, Barbie dolls,
stuffed animals, tricycles, wagons, cars,
etc)
Vitamins (children & adult - Must not be
past or even close to expiration date)
Medical Equipment (blood pressure,
stethoscopes, wheel chairs, crutches, lab
equip., hospital beds, dental equip., etc.)Medical Supplies (Bandages, soaps, etc.)
Medications (Antibiotics, Asthma, Blood
Pressure, Heart, First Aid & snake bite
kits, etc.) (Medicines must not be past or
even close to expiration date)
Financial Assistancefor shipping and to
purchase needed items.
Our Wish List!Father Frank is providing a link
between families in Northern California
and orphanages in Guatemala, El
Salvador and Nicaragua. Container
shipments are planned at least once a
year to each of them. As you can see
from these pages, the donations are a
tremendous help for the children and the
operation of the orphanages.The following is a list of some of the
things Father is looking for to include in
upcoming shipments:
Baby items (food, chairs, strollers, beds,clothing)
Disposable and cloth Diapers (all sizes) Powdered Soapfor washing clothesItems for Personal Hygiene (like soaps,
shampoos, tooth brushes, tooth paste)
Childrens Clothing (including socks
and underwear)
Father Franks Kids, Inc. has been
registered as a non-profit charitable
organization. Your donations are
tax deductible.
Contacts...If you have any questions about the
program please contact one of the follow-
ing:
Mike Hertel
(925) 855-9407
Ann Ferrante
(925) 743-1935
Lauren Retagliata
(925) 552-8002
Dick Sanders
(925) 837-0307
Brent Smith
(925) 838-7743
Volunteers Needed...There is always a need for help with sort-
ing and packing. Are you interested in
lending a hand? If so, call one of the peo-
ple listed above.