Hope, Healing, and Dancing: Eder’s Story

Two years ago this month, we celebrated the placement of the first child in the state of Sonora, Mexico, into family care. Since August 2020, you have helped so many orphaned and vulnerable children in Sonora find loving families.

The work you’re doing in Sonora is incredible. The family care movement is growing – our partnership with the government is stronger than ever, and every week, more families volunteer to open their homes and hearts to a child.

Thanks to you, lives are being changed, hearts are being healed, and hope is being restored. Because of you, children like Eder* are getting out of orphanages and into the loving arms of a family.

Eder’s Story

Eder, a baby boy from Sonora, Mexico, was born into trauma. He was neglected as an infant and his mother was using drugs. Authorities removed Eder from his home and placed him into an orphanage.  

While the orphanage was able to provide for his basic physical needs, Eder was just one of many orphaned and vulnerable children in the institution. Children in orphanages are cared for a rotating staff of employees and don’t get the personal, individual attention they require. Although the workers in the orphanage no doubt did their best, Eder wasn’t receiving what he needed most – the love and care of a family.

Thankfully, Eder would not remain in the orphanage for long.

Hope, Healing, and Dancing

Eder was welcomed into the care of a loving family when he was seven months old. He immediately started to grow and heal, physically and emotionally.

When he first entered family care, Eder had the flu along with other medical conditions. He was coughing frequently, but within a week of being in a family, he improved greatly. Through the love of a family, Eder regained his health and began to thrive.

Eder’s coordination increased and he began to crawl. He now stands and can move more easily overall. He has developed a healthy appetite and has started eating vegetables, allowing him to get the vitamins and nutrition he needs to grow and gain strength. Eder also sleeps through the night – a huge developmental milestone!

Emotionally, Eder has started to bond with and trust his foster family, indicating he feels safe and comfortable in his home. In fact, he reacts to strangers and gets upset when separated from his family. This is a very important step in his development, as establishing boundaries with strangers is natural and healthy for children. Eder knows he is safe and loved with his family.

Today, Eder is healthy and happy. He is beginning to develop interests and show his wonderful, unique personality. He loves music, and he claps his hands and dances whenever a song comes on. We are thrilled to see the positive changes in Eder, we can’t wait to watch him grow up in a loving family.

Changing the Way the World Cares for Orphans

Thank you for making this possible! You have changed Eder’s life forever…this beautiful little boy knows he is cherished and loved because of you. You are his hero, and we are so grateful.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children all over the world. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans!

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the child.