Victor’s back was to the kitchen in Rancho de los Niños Children’s Home. He watched Ada, a volunteer at the home, as she got up. His big, brown eyes followed her until she walked out of his line of sight. He heard her enter the kitchen to prepare his lunch. He slowly leaned back as… Read more
Our adopted, teenage son, Tyler, had only been home three months when I got a text from an unknown number. “Tyler forgot his soccer shoes and can’t play in the game unless you bring them to school.” “Ok, I will look for them and be right there,” I responded to the stranger. I found them… Read more
“Antonio!” Lorena, a Hope Program parent, called for the Hope student. “Antonio!” But her calls went unanswered. Then she heard a low murmur in a nearby room where her husband, Jose, kept carpentry projects. She smiled to herself, knowing now why Antonio wasn’t responding. She walked the short distance to the small workshop and found… Read more
In November of 2017, Back2Back India entered into a new partnership with Hope Children’s Home located in a village two hours from the Back2Back Campus. Martin Luther and Prasana Katha have cared for seven girls since the summer of 2016. The van pulled in after school and big, brown eyes peeked through the windows at… Read more
“Pleeeeeeeease, can I stay a little longer?” Japheth looked at his caregiver, Sunday Yashim, from Kids with a Vision Foundation Children’s Home. “Pleeeeeease?” He smiled at Sunday for good measure as he waited for the answer. “Okay. You can stay until tonight!” He smiled at Japheth, pleased to see his excitement. Japheth, 15, is the… Read more
The huge ball of Saran Wrap sat in the middle of the table. The teens at Jesus Name Children’s Home could see small treats and toys hidden beneath the layers of plastic. Wadson Delvar, Back2Back staff, explained the game to the children. Each of them would get a turn to unwrap the ball of Saran… Read more
Luis watched his mom collect pesos and count back change to the customer, who had just purchased a pair of shoes. She smiled at Luis’ mom before leaving. He watched his mom write down the purchase on a yellow pad of paper. There’s gotta be an easier way to keep records of what we sell,… Read more
Jose made his way to the front of the crowd and walked slowly toward the large, black elephant. The tall cutout was covered in different colored chalks, looming and difficult to miss. This One21 Youth Retreat was Jose’s first. He and his younger brothers, all living with a foster family within Back2Back’s Foster Care Program,… Read more
Dr. Kevin Browne, a forensic psychologist from the University of Nottingham, visited the Back2Back Mazatlán site in October. Browne’s extensive knowledge on child sexual abuse, abandonment and neglect, attachment theory, and deinstitutionalization greatly benefited the Back2Back staff. Dr. Browne’s vast knowledge on this wide array of topics helped to better inform Back2Back’s methods of care… Read more
Samantha looks at the crowded tables and listens to the loud chatter as it fills every crevice of the dining hall. She smiles as she watches the children eating their food and laughing alongside friends that sometimes feel more like family. Samantha and Raymundo have been working at Salvation Army Children’s Home for a little… Read more