In 2011 we began caring for a young girl. She was very ill and her mother, who was already struggling to make ends meet, could not afford treatment. The mother gave her daughter to the orphanage in hope that her daughter would be well taken care of.
Fast forward 8 years – the girl had grown into a healthy young lady, but was still living at the orphanage. Child Hope began the work of family tracing and reconnected with her mom. The mom was incredibly grateful for the wonderful care her daughter had received, but was eager to have her daughter live with her again!
Our social workers did a full evaluation of the placement and determined the main obstacle to reunification was that her home was in need of rebuilding. We knew what was needed. But we also asked, “what do you have?” We found out that the mother makes a living selling iced tea (mabi). It would not be enough to cover the cost of the rebuild, but with mom putting some of her earnings toward it, she could be proud of the fact that she was providing for her children. Child Hope contributed the remaining finances to finish the house.
In September 2021, after a 2-year process, we finally transitioned the daughter back to the home with her mother and siblings!
In order to figuratively rebuild the home – restore a healthy relationship between mother and daughter – it seems so fitting that we had to literally rebuild their home, stone by stone. We are excited to see how this family flourishes now that they are living together under the same roof.
Children have better outcomes when raised in loving families rather than institutions. We are committed to transitioning children from orphanages into loving families!