by the numbers.

NPH Guatemala is a home to many. Here's the breakdown...

Kids: 350

Volunteers: 22

Permanent staff: over 100

That's not all NPH Guatemala is home for. There's the extended family too...

Cows: 2

Goats: 21

Pigs: 126

Chickens: 500

Fish: in the hundreds!

Crazy, right? In some way, shape, or form, all of these animals contribute to the meals made daily in the comedor. I mean, they have to feed 500+ people somehow :)

As I mentioned above, there are 22 volunteers in total. 13 have been here since January, and 9 of us just arrived. Here is a photo of us "newbies" with Erika, the volunteer coordinator. 4 of us are from the states, 4 from Germany, and 1 from Switzerland. Please note the ONE guy of the group. Luckily, he does not seem to mind the ratio haha.

Let's just say, they sure know how to make us new volunteers feel at home. I've already felt so welcomed by many. Even though we have come to share our time and our talents for the next year, so many of the permanent staff have said they are here a tu orden or para servirles. Not to mention all of the kids are just dying to be one of the first to have your name memorized. Already quite the handful have accomplished their goal! They love walking/running over to me to say, "Krrrrristina!" (with that amazing roll of the tongue they have mastered). With that sort of first interaction, how could I not feel at home?