A New Beginning: Isabela’s Story

"We do not need to know the beginning of a child's story to change the ending." These wise words from Fi Newood beautifully capture the promise of new beginnings for orphaned and vulnerable children.

It’s no surprise that orphaned and vulnerable children come from hard places. Often, we don’t know all the specific details of a child’s background, but they are all starting their lives against a backdrop of trauma and loss. Some type of difficult experience left them without a family…and facing an uncertain and challenging future.

That’s why we’re so grateful for you. You are giving hope and healing to orphaned and vulnerable children by providing them the opportunity to grow up in loving families…where they belong. Because of your compassion and support, kids around the world are discovering new beginnings through the love and care of a nurturing family.

So as many of us are focusing on a fresh start and new possibilities in the first few weeks of 2024, we celebrate the new beginnings you are giving to children each and every day. Thanks to you, children like Isabela have hope for the future.

ISABELA’S STORY

Isabela was placed in institutional care in Sonora, Mexico when she was just under two years old. She was referred to authorities by a local children’s hospital after the hospital staff suspected she was being neglected.

Isabela and her siblings were taken to the orphanage, and for the next four years, Isabela would not experience the love of a family. While the orphanage met her physical needs, providing food, shelter, and basic care, it could not possibly match the love and support of a family.

Studies clearly show that institutional care has damaging long-term physical and emotional effects on children. Isabela was no exception, and after spending several years in the orphanage, she was showing definite signs of developmental delays in several areas.

Isabela desperately needed the individual attention, personal interactions, and loving care found within a stable family environment. And thankfully, because of you, Isabela was offered a chance at a new beginning.

A NEW BEGINNING

Isabela was welcomed into loving family care when she was just shy of six years old. Her foster mother greeted Isabela with a sparkly unicorn backpack, a new stuffed animal, and a warm embrace. Isabela’s face shone with joy as she walked hand-in-hand with her foster mom and headed to her new home.

After so many years in institutional care, a family environment was quite an adjustment for Isabela. But her foster family immediately did what they could to make her feel comfortable and help her adapt.

Isabela’s foster mother created a daily routine for her, and she began eating and sleeping on a regular schedule. Isabela soon began to realize that her physical needs as well as her emotional needs for attention and love would be met by her foster family.

After observing developmental delays in her cognitive, emotional, and language areas, Isabela’s foster mom patiently and lovingly worked with her daily on various exercises. Within the first few months, Isabela showed tremendous progress in solving puzzles and completing the other activities. She also started school, and her family and the school staff work together to monitor her progress and ensure she has what she needs to succeed.

And in addition to so many other milestones, Isabella recently celebrated her sixth birthday – her first birthday in a loving family environment.

While we are thrilled at the progress she has made, Isabela’s journey is far from over. As we mentioned, we often don’t know the beginning of a child’s story, and signs of additional trauma started appearing as her foster family spent more time with her. This is not uncommon, and it further emphasizes the importance of a loving family who can support and care for her as she heals from the trauma of her past.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ISABELA’S HERO

We are so grateful that today, Isabela is in a safe, stable family environment. Thank you for giving her a new beginning and hope for the future. While her story is still being written, the ending is undoubtedly changed through the love of a family.

And you are making a difference in the lives of children like Isabela all around the world! Thank you for ensuring that so many orphaned and vulnerable children have the opportunity to grow up in loving families. To us, and to kids across the globe, you are a hero. We are incredibly grateful for you.

Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans…because every child deserves a family.

*The child’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.