Magdeline James is no stranger to hardship. At 15 years old, the tiny girl has carried more burdens than any child should bear. After her father died, her mother remarried and moved away, leaving Magdeline to care for her younger siblings. Magdeline was, at the time, a mere child herself. She was thrust into the… Read more
Ganesh struggled to understand his teacher’s explanation. He looked down at his paper, trying to make sense of his homework but grew even more confused. As his academic difficulties continued, 15-year-old Ganesh grew more agitated. His once carefree personality was masked by frustration. Required chores were met with resistance and it seemed even the smallest… Read more
Adrian was placed at Imperio De Amor Children’s Home when he was 10 years old. He got into fights all the time. It was his way of protecting himself and his little brothers. The fights were constant and nothing seemed to calm him down.
11-year-old Octavio giggles with four of his friends as they build their latest creation found amongst a table covered in Legos.
It took Katarina a little longer to get up from the dinner table that night. After caring for ten children all day at Rukuba Children’s Home, this particular day had been especially draining. She mustered her last bit of energy, sighed and slowly stood up. “How can I help you tonight?” The small voice was… Read more
Alex stops in his tracks and bursts into tears. Big crocodile tears stream down his cheeks. Emily pulls him onto her lap and holds him as he gently sobs.
“Que onda!,” Juan greets his friends. Juan doesn’t greet his friends with a handshake, but a tight embrace. He is funny, a bit of a jokester, but most of all, he is a joy to be around. He loves his friends fiercely. This is far from the boy who arrived at Rancho de los Niños… Read more
Middle seat, infant in arms. Let’s be honest… not the ideal flying arrangement. Especially when your husband and son aren’t the folks seated on either side of you. I settled in for a mercifully short flight, and I offered up a silent prayer for kind and gracious traveling companions. Our flight left the ground, and… Read more
Back2Back first met Perla and Ami six years ago at the San Jose Children’s Home. Perla was a timid, quiet little girl who sometimes seemed to want to be invisible. She was teased ruthlessly for struggling in school. Her confidence sunk lower when she was held back a grade. Ami, Perla’s younger sister, was a… Read more
Elias and Maritza started calling Del Norte Children’s Home their home on August 3rd. Along with their two children, they became caregivers for siblings Jessica, Natanael and Tadeo. When they moved in, they were full of questions. Will we be able to do this? How will this impact our family? Elias and Maritza had many concerns and fears,… Read more