As India is hit with another round of COVID outbreaks, children who normally live on a Back2Back-run campus are still living and learning with their extended families. “There is a lot of uncertainty and with the risks involved, we want to keep the children as safe and healthy as possible against the virus,” shared Julie… Read more
“Repeat after me,” said Darlene Ruiz, Back2Back staff, into the microphone. “I am brave, I am smart, I am capable, I am a child of God.” The seven high school graduates repeated each affirmation after Darlene, while their families and a visiting mission team smiled on in encouragement. “Now, parents, take your child’s hands and… Read more
The three dentists review the files of each patient they would see that day. New to the clinic, which serves vulnerable children and families, they wanted to be as prepared as possible before they saw each person. On this particular day, they treated a sibling set of four, who previously lived in a partnering children’s… Read more
For many who call the slums home, having money to feed their families takes precedence above all else. Children are enrolled in schools, but if money gets tight, children are kept home and asked to work alongside their fathers. These tough decisions aren’t made to intentionally keep children from their education. A young man in… Read more
“I never got to experience anything like this when I was a child,” a mom in the Strong Families Program said, smiling to Back2Back staff. The families were heading home from the community center after a day of carnival fun. Day of the Child is a Mexican holiday held in April. Traditionally, local volunteers gather… 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
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
After many weeks of sheltering in place, Samuel*, an only child in the Strong Families Program, wanted to plan an afternoon with his mom. He envisioned going with her to a place with views of the city and its mountains, and he wanted someone trustworthy to be their “driver” for the evening. Samuel and his… Read more
The community across the busy stretch of highway from the Back2Back Haiti campus has long received the fruits of relief efforts and donations. When the land was first purchased, staff dreamt of a day when they would work alongside families in the community and establish relationships and sustainability. Today, this vision is a reality. Back2Back… Read more
“They’ve forgotten how to be kids.” It was an assessment made by Back2Back’s staff psychologist, Lili, as she and other staff members watched the children and teens reorient themselves recently to the community centers. It has been almost a year since schools were shut down and all students in Cancun transitioned to virtual learning. “They… Read more