Father William Wasson, a Phoenix native, founded Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters) in 1954. Since its inception, Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos has raised and supported over 15,000 orphaned and abandoned children and today has approximately 3,000 children in homes located in the Dominican Repuublic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Peru.

This mission trip allows our students to respond to their call as disciples of Jesus Christ. Through baptism, we are called into ministry, especially having a preferential option for the poor, homeless, sick, orphaned, widowed, and imprisoned. This inaugural trip and the ones to follow will enable our students to enter into another culture and language, and more specifically, the lives of orphaned and abandoned children.

The greatest journey for a follower if Jesus Christ is conversion, moving from one’s head to one’s heart. Unfortunately, some people never make that journey. However, this experience provides the students this exact opportunity. They are always amazed at the commonalities they share . . . the same hopes and dreams, the same fears and disappointments. Accepting others as equals and as our brothers and sisters enables them to change the world.

The students will also have a greater understanding of poverty and cultural differences. It will especially help them distinguish between “needs” and “wants”. It is difficult in our country to make that distinction. The students normally walk away with a greater appreciation for what they have and can see the difference they can make in the life of someone less fortunate.

Lastly, this trip provides an opportunity to live and work with the orphans and experience first-hand how Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos has changed their lives. Our students will forge relationships with los pequeños that will have a life-long effect well after they have left Brophy.

Currently, our school sponsors 4 orphans at the home in Mexico, in addition to the various students’ and staff’s families who individually sponsor children. This trip provides a way for our students to meet them first-hand and witness the impact that their generosity makes in the life of their pequeño. It also allows the pequeño to see that someone thousands of miles away cares for them and loves them. It models the importance of caring and sharing with one another, which is the epitome of stewardship. This mission trip demonstrates Brophy’s commitment in educating well-rounded young men in the spirit of the Graduate at Graduation.

PLEASE NOTE, it is Brophy policy that no immersion trip count as the full amount of any year's service requirement.

The Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos trip only counts as HALF of the sophomore service project. The other half of the project must be completed with Brophy's Loyola Project another agency. Please have this agency approved by the Office of Faith and Justice.