Siblings who found out their given last name after reuniting with their mother
At Child Hope International, we believe every child has the right to a family. Just as deeply, we believe every child has the right to an identity.
That’s why we’re walking alongside a young man right now as he works to secure his national ID card. This card is important for accessing education, work, and healthcare. For this young man, it’s also something more personal.
It’s a way to reclaim his name.
When he and his siblings were living in an orphanage, the last name recorded in their intake documents was not the one given to them at birth. It was the name they carried during their years in institutional care. But when Child Hope International helped reunite them with their mother, she revealed that their real family name was different. It was the name tied to their heritage, their story, and their sense of belonging.
Without hesitation, every one of the children chose to go by the name their mother gave them. Even after years of using the orphanage-assigned name, there was no question in their minds: they knew who they were, and they wanted the world to know it, too.
This is what it means to restore identity. Our staff is now walking with this young man through the often-complicated process of getting official documentation that reflects his true name. It’s a slow process, but an important one.
When we reunite families, we’re not just talking about physical reunification. We’re talking about restoring dignity. About recognizing the God-given worth of every child. About seeing and honoring the full truth of who they are.
At Child Hope, we don’t just support the right to family. We support the right to identity. We celebrate every name, every story, and every step toward restoration.
