Have you ever wondered how we keep up with the 800+ children and families in our network of care?

Because of our family-based model of care, the children of Restoring Hope live with biological family caregivers rather than in children's homes. This requires a lot more work to gather information and reports on their statuses.

Our support teams are made up of local village pastors, indigenous social workers, and on-the-ground administrative staff. They have set up ways to stay in contact with each child regardless of geographic location—even the older children and graduates.

Pastor home visits are part of the reporting process. Six case workers are also dedicated to home visits, with an additional four trained social workers who report three times annually on higher-risk children. Hours on buses, trains, and auto-rickshaws are required to travel to rural villages in an overall region the size of Colorado! Amidst home visits, these teams also check in with families by phone, as well as in-person at our Summer Celebrations, Christmas Celebrations, and other similar gatherings.

With this team of support staying connected to the children and families in our care, we get to pass along to you how the children are doing, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future!

Here’s one update from Rowann*:

Rowann* is now 24  years old, and has been reintegrated into his biological family, living with his mother. His father passed when he was young due to medical complications, and he was raised in a local village church for almost a decade. Now, through his studies to become a nurse, he is gaining education and practicum experience in a government hospital in pediatrics and maternal mother care. Part of his work is to help prevent early complications to unborn children. A highlight for Rowann recently was a medical camp, which he talks about in his last report:

"I am very happy about attending this medical camp program. I treated what they wanted to needed patients, and we are giving some medicine to them. This year I am studying my final year of nursing (as a junior), and we are celebrated in a farewell party for the final year students. My college teachers and my fellow juniors are cheering me on in my upcoming final year examinations."

Rowann has many plans that include taking his studies further. Because of Restoring Hope's support, his dreams are realistic. He is very dedicated to seeing them through and giving back to his community in some way after he establishes a regular salary.

This is not uncommon. Many of the children tell our staff in their updates that they are “wanting to get a good job to support their family.” How amazing to see these restored children bring hope not only for themselves, but to the whole family, inspiring other Restoring Hope children along the way as well! This shows once again that once a child receives the holistic support they need to thrive, transformation can take place.

*Pseudonyms are used to protect the identities of people and areas Restoring Hope serves.