Garv* grew up in distress long before he had words for it.

At just 11 years old, after the sudden loss of his mother, Garv and his younger brother were thrust into a reality no child should carry. Their father, overwhelmed by grief, turned to addiction. Safety became uncertain. Stability disappeared. And Garv quietly stepped into the role of protector and provider long before he was ready.

Without intervention, their future followed a familiar and devastating path. Education would have been interrupted. Childhood would have been shortened. Survival, not possibility, would have shaped their decisions. The weight of responsibility and unresolved loss could have hardened into patterns difficult to escape.

But that is not what happened.

Because generous sponsors and advocates chose not to leave two brothers in distress, Garv and his brother arrived at Back2Back’s campus and entered family-style care. Safe, consistent adults surrounded them. Daily routines replaced chaos. Trauma-informed support made space for grief and healing, allowing trust to form.

They went to school.
They built healthy relationships.
They were given permission to be children again.

Over time, the brothers leaned fully into campus life. As their emotional needs were met, their confidence grew. Their bond deepened. And Garv began to discover where his gifts and abilities came alive, especially in the classroom.

Eventually, he set his sights on an ambitious goal: earning a Bachelor’s degree in Technology.

“A B-Tech degree is highly competitive and requires extraordinary focus,” shared Goldie, Back2Back’s India Site Director. “Garv understood what it would demand, and he stepped into that challenge with courage and discipline.”

With the help of scholarships and the strong foundation built through years of consistent care, Garv entered university carrying more than academic preparation. He carried resilience and character; a sense of identity was shaped by adults who showed up and stayed.

“I met his professors and the dean of his college,” Goldie shared. “They spoke about his intelligence, and about his kindness and willingness to help others. That says everything about who he has become.”

While Garv pursued his degree, his younger brother remained on campus, equally committed to his studies and supported by the same steady presence. They stayed closely connected, celebrating together when Garv graduated and began applying for full-time positions.

Today, Garv is stepping into independence with confidence. He is preparing to provide for his brother and, with prayer, hopes to one day restore his relationship with his father. He knows challenges will come, but he also knows who he is, what he’s capable of, and that his past does not get the final word.

This is what happens when safe adults intervene early and stay.

Donors invested in consistent, trauma-informed care, and two brothers were not left to navigate loss alone, as a result. Education continued. Healing took root. And a cycle that could have repeated was interrupted.

This is the power of partnership.

Don’t leave a child in distress.
Restore childhood.