At Restoring Hope, we're championing a new model of care for orphaned children called family-based care. What this means is that in the event of a child losing one or both parents, we help make it possible for that child to remain with their living biological family members. That might be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or older sibling.

Extended family is already such an integrated and natural presence in village South Asia, and extended family members play an important part in a child understanding the dynamics of community.

Our goal is to support these children through the local village church. Holistic care looks like pouring love onto the child and their primary caregiver (within their biological family). This ensures the child's needs are met no matter how difficult the family tragedy they experienced is.

Investigating the life surrounding a child is needed in order to prioritize family. In the absence of a biological parent, living with a grandmother, aunt, or other extended family member is usually the first choice for a child. This preserves a family.

And we aim for these children to rise out of poverty, being the first in their families to graduate college and have reliable incomes. And we encourage children to invite their whole family to attend church with them, which creates potential for the entire family to be rich spiritually, not just economically.

Long-term we envision the children becoming future leaders who serve their communities—through their families first. And we are so glad to regularly hear reports of children who want to make a good living in order give back to their family and community in some way.

“I want to take care of my grandpa."

“I want to make sure my grandma is taken care of.”

“I want to help give back to my aunt."

The role of family is so important to orphan care, and to Restoring Hope’s mission of holistic renewal of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Asia—and their families!