Building Trust, Finding Hope: Abraham’s Story

At less than a year old, Abraham found himself without a family.

He was placed into an orphanage in Morelia, Michoacán, at just 11 months old. Not much is known about his first year of life or why he was separated from his biological family. For the next two years, Abraham lived in the orphanage without the love and care of a family. 

Instead of being surrounded by the warmth of a home, Abraham spent those formative years being cared for by a rotating staff of employees. Like many children in institutional care, he began showing signs of developmental delays.

While orphanages can meet the basic needs of children—providing food and shelter—they cannot offer the personal attention and individual care that children need to thrive. Despite a staff’s best efforts, studies show that institutional care can have damaging long-term physical, psychological, and emotional effects on children.

Nothing can replace the stability, structure, and individualized attention found within a family.

In many parts of the world, children like Abraham remain in institutional care for years, falling further behind in their development and facing an uncertain future. But thankfully, just before his third birthday, Abraham’s story took a different turn.

Thanks to your support, Abraham was welcomed into the loving arms of a foster family.

A New Beginning in a Loving Home

Abraham’s foster family immediately began working to provide him with the love and care he so desperately needed. But it was clear his road to recovery would be challenging.

When he first arrived at his new home, Abraham’s foster family described him as a shy child who would easily become frustrated and angry. They noticed significant delays in both his gross and fine motor skills, as well as his language.

At three years old, Abraham could only speak in single-syllable sounds. He struggled to express his emotions or communicate his needs, which often led to frustration. He also found it difficult to follow directions, as he couldn’t understand what was being said to him.

As Abraham adjusted to his new environment, he was initially emotionally withdrawn from his foster parents. Unable to manage his emotions, he often acted out in inappropriate ways. Socializing and interacting with others were also difficult for him.

But with patience and compassion, his foster family worked to gain his trust. Over time, Abraham began to thrive.

Progress Through Compassion and Care

In coordination with our team in Michoacán, Abraham’s foster family started working with him on various developmental exercises. Within just a few months, Abraham gained strength and coordination, significantly improving his walking and head movements. He also became more independent, learning to complete small tasks like combing his hair and helping with household chores.

His vocabulary has expanded significantly, allowing him to communicate more easily with his foster family. Abraham now better understands directions and is able to say more words.

As his communication skills improved, Abraham’s foster family introduced healthy techniques for managing and expressing emotions. They helped him find ways to calm down when needed, and overall, he seems much more relaxed.

In just a few short months, Abraham has learned to trust his foster family. He now shows affection by playing with his foster siblings and hugging and kissing the whole family on the cheek.

The transformation in Abraham has been incredible to witness—and it’s all thanks to you! Because of your support, this beautiful boy is discovering what it means to be part of a loving family. Thank you for giving him hope for the future.

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 his privacy.