“Close your eyes,” Swanta Zakka, Back2Back staff, said quietly to the group of teens. “Imagine a skill you wish you had; think about what obstacles are between you and learning that skill. Now, open your eyes. Who wants to share?” Swanta has been leading life skills groups with children and teens at the education center…. Read more
The Strong Families Program in India has allowed staff to witness the dedication of the students who are given fresh opportunities to pursue their educational dreams. Even when school went virtual for the students, they remained focused on their studies and asked for helping when it was needed. Adya*, a young girl in the program,… Read more
Comfort, a caregiver at a partnering children’s home, noticed early on in lockdown teens were trying to find new rhythms while being stuck inside. It started slowly – energy was high from lack of activity, and then became disruptive. Fits of frustration and lashing out were regular occurrences, and Comfort knew something was needed to… Read more
As Hope Education Program students are returning to university and living away from the campus they’ve called home for so many years, they are building new and lasting relationships. One young man, Ari*, recently celebrated his birthday, but due to restrictions, his mentor wasn’t able to be with him in person. Birthdays have always been… Read more
The aroma in the slums is strong. Daily, men faithfully show up to sort through remnants of leftovers and recyclable materials, taking their job seriously. It’s with this work they care for their families – the sorting and piling, and like any job, there are advantages and disadvantages. To abate the smell of what they’re… Read more
The three young children show a new, contagious confidence when they speak now. Previously, their talking was slow, labored – the children had to work hard to find the right words and put together full sentences. Staff at the partnering children’s home knew they needed assistance, and they needed it quickly. Holistic care for vulnerable… Read more
We all have external senses – vision, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. For a child with minimal trauma, sensory processing can be easy. They are able to act, and react appropriately and can learn through their senses. Adversely, for a child with significant trauma, their senses are negatively impacted and this creates issues with their… Read more
The girls who live in the Devotion Hope Home circled up in their living room. Their heads bowed, their hands clasped together, they prayed for a new Hope student arriving at their home. The Hope father opened his eyes to take in the scene: the girls in their care were fervent with their prayers for… Read more
“I want to put all the things in my head,” his big, brown eyes were excited and earnest as he shared with Weekendson Moise, Back2Back staff. “I want to learn absolutely everything!” Kirby*, along with the other children served in Haiti, has had two years of unpredictable school schedules. In 2019, the country succumbed to… Read more
A young man looked around the bathroom he would soon share with three other teen boys in his new home. He looked at his soon-to-be Hope Parents and asked quietly, “Is there any way we could put a shelf on the wall to house our toiletries?” Holistic care ensures children and teens from hard places… Read more