Pilar Garcia Burguillo

I’m writing this text after a year of service with NPH Honduras because a friend asked for a testimonial from a volunteer and since it has been a whole year, the only thing that I truly have to say is that I gave a lot, but received threefold in return.

Pilar and two of the children she works with having fun [1/2]

During my time here, there have been good days, normal days, and others where I wanted to go back home; fortunately, I didn’t.

I am very proud that I was able to help my children here so much (and they will always be mine, and I will always be theirs) as an Occupational Therapist at the school and other parts of NPH Honduras. Now I get to look back on our time together and see how much these children have grown, gotten stronger and more confident. Working here I got to realize a dream of mine, to be an Occupational Therapist for young children. NPH has given me this opportunity, and because of that I have gained so much experience that I didn’t have before. Here in Honduras, working with the children, I have become a true professional in my practice.

Outside of the therapy, in evenings I look after the girls who live in the Home of “Hijas de Maria” (Maria’s Daughters). These 28 young girls will forever be “my daughters” as I love them immensely and will keep a special place in my heart for each and every single one of them.

I love them so much and will never forget all the great memories that I have with them because even though they sometimes make me mad, other times they teach me true and valuable lessons in life. The last lesson came just a few days ago, some girls were asking me “and Pilar, no one has ever hit you? Or treated you bad?”

I told them “No, of course no one has ever hit me.” The girls responded quizzically.

“Really? You’re real lucky Pilar.” After this I sat there thinking, stunned. Because it is true, I have been fortunate, I had everything and sometimes I never thought to say “Thank you.” But these girls, so many are recovering from being poorly treated by the very same people who are supposed to protect them; now they wish to believe in adults, to feel loved. I always tried to give my support and love, and with my daughters here I learned to give and give and give without asking for anything in return, to give with all my heart.

Now, it’s time for the farewells, because I always say that if it’s hard to come here, it will be much more difficult to leave. But I know that this moment has gotten here and I’m ready to start anew, filling myself with the satisfaction of a job well done, and the feeling that here I learned lessons and found family which will forever be a part of my life.

Pilar García Burguillo   
Occupational Therapist

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