When Saramma's* and her brother's father suddenly died from a heart attack, the family was left in crisis. Both her parents had been laborers who worked in the fields, which meant the responsibility to look after her younger sibling fell on Saramma. Caring for the family strained her from attending school.



Saramma’s mother reached out to Restoring Hope through a village pastor she knew, and she asked for assistance to enroll Saramma in a good English-level college. Though it was a school farther from their village, it would be a better education and opportunity—something no longer attainable for the now-fatherless family.

The support of the Restoring Hope teams' swift action would provide more opportunities for Saramma, and her whole family. She is now learning her way out of poverty, and studying in junior college (the equivalent of studying towards an associate’s-level degree). She reports:

“My teacher speaks very fast, but this is a new school, and I’m sure I will pick up my new subjects quickly.”

Saramma's favorite food is biriyani rice with chicken curry. She enjoys playing carom board, a popular game in South Asia, and she enjoys skipping. She wants to become a teacher for poor children in surrounding villages. In her own words:

“I want to become a government teacher and help my pastor and his wife. I hope to serve my village poor people, help our Restoring Hope summer camp and help my family. Everyday I praise the Lord. God helps me a lot; He provided everything in my life. I thank God for providing Restoring Hope and I thank you all for giving me all of these things.”

Saramma is just one of more than 700 orphaned and vulnerable children being served through Restoring Hope. We are grateful for each and every person who has invested financially and has prayed for us—you are one of the main reasons children like her are able to be helped.

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