Father William B Wasson was an American priest

Priest

A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...

. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...

, USA, but moved to Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 where he trained as a priest. In 1954, he founded Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos , literally meaning Our little brothers and sisters, is an organization that has provided a home for thousands of orphans and abandoned children since 1954...

, a charity

Charitable organization

A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...

 for neglected and abandoned children

Child abandonment

Child abandonment is the practice of relinquishing interests and claims over one's offspring with the intent of never again resuming or reasserting them. Causes include many social and cultural factors as well as mental illness. An abandoned child is called a foundling .-Causes:Poverty is often a...

, which today operates across Latin America

Latin America

Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages  – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...

. Father Wasson died in August 2006 in Arizona

Arizona

Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...

, due to complications arising from a hip injury.

Achievements and Awards

• Luis Elizondo Humanitarian Award - 1977

This is the Mexican National Prize and was given for his contribution to the children of Mexico. He is the only US citizen to receive this award.

• Good Samaritan Award from the National Catholic Development Conference - 1979
• Franciscan International Award - 1981
• Order of the Aztec Eagle - 1990

This is Mexico's highest award, and recognizes services performed for Mexico or humanity by foreign nationals. This was the first time a priest had been honored.

• National Caring Award by the Caring Institute of Washington DC - 1997
• KFC's Colonel's Way Award - 1998
• El Sol de Nuestra Communidad Award - 1998

This was presented by the Hispanic Community of Phoenix, Arizona.

• Kellogg’s Hannah Neil World of Children Award - 2000

This is a $100,000 prize given to individuals who make a difference in the world of children.

• Jefferson Award for Public Service - 2003

This is recognized as the “Nobel Prize” for public service in America. Fr. Wasson was recognized for his volunteer service to the Hispanic community

Hispanic and Latino Americans

Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...

.

• Ivy Humanitarian Award by the Ivy Inter-American Foundation - 2005

This was for working to improve the lives of children and their communities in the Americas

• Opus Prize Finalist - 2005

Wasson was awarded $100,000 for his "driving entrepreneurial mindset with an abiding faith to combat poverty

Poverty

Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...

, illiteracy, hunger

Hunger

Hunger is the most commonly used term to describe the social condition of people who frequently experience the physical sensation of desiring food.-Malnutrition, famine, starvation:...

, disease

Disease

A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...

 and injustice

Injustice

Injustice is the lack of or opposition to justice, either in reference to a particular event or act, or as a larger status quo. The term generally refers to misuse, abuse, neglect, or malfeasance that is uncorrected or else sanctioned by a legal system. Misuse and abuse with regard to a particular...

".

External references

Washington Post Obituary

Opus Prize

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Homepage

Report of World of Children award