A Better Future: Alan’s Story

Every child deserves a family. Unfortunately, millions of children around the world are growing up without the love of a family. For many of these children, the only option is to be cared for in an orphanage. However, there is clear and compelling research on the damaging physical and psychological effects of traditional, institutional orphan care.

In addition, studies show that less than 1% of orphaned and vulnerable children worldwide will ever be adopted. That leaves 99% of those children at risk of spending their entire childhood and adolescence in institutional care.

We know there is a better way. Children should not grow up in orphanages…without a doubt, kids do best when they are raised in families.

That’s why we’re so grateful for you! Because of you, children like Alan, a young boy from Sonora, Mexico, have hope for a better future through the love of a family.

ALAN’S STORY

Alan was placed into an institution when he was only four months old. He remained in the orphanage for the next three years, never knowing the love of a family or even experiencing life outside those walls.

During his time in the orphanage, he was diagnosed with a complex medical condition. As a result, Alan had significant delays in almost every developmental area, including his motor skills, cognitive and language abilities, and emotional and psychological development.

Although the staff at the orphanage loved Alan and cared for him the best they could, children in institutional care can’t possibly get the individual attention found in a family environment. With large numbers of children and a rotating staff of employees, even the best orphanage is no substitute for a family. In addition, many orphanages don’t have the resources to handle the special needs of children like Alan. 

In many places in the world, Alan would likely remain in the institution until he reached adulthood, aging out into an uncertain future. But thankfully, Alan’s story doesn’t end in the orphanage. Because of you, there was a better option for this beautiful little boy.

A BETTER FUTURE

When he was three and a half years old, Alan was welcomed into loving family care. It was heartwarming to see the joy on his face when he met his foster parents for the first time. And it was clear that Alan’s foster family was ready to provide him with the love, attention, and special care he needed.

The family met with professionals to create a plan for the development of Alan’s motor skills, language abilities, and other areas. And in this loving family environment, Alan began to thrive.

Alan’s foster mother lovingly and diligently worked with him on various activities that would not only strengthen his muscles, but also build his confidence. Alan became more independent, taking on new tasks and trying more activities on his own.

In addition to the growth in his physical abilities, Alan’s language skills also improved greatly.  After four months in family care, Alan could say several new words and phrases. Although he still struggles to articulate certain words, he clearly tries to communicate and has made tremendous progress. In fact, he recently started school and is continuing to learn and grow.

Emotionally, Alan has formed strong bonds with his foster family. He knows that his foster mother and father are safe people, and he stays close to them when other people are around. His sleeping habits also reflect a sense of security and trust. Alan is able to sleep peacefully and calmly, indicating that he feels comfortable and safe in his environment.

Alan’s journey is far from over, and he still deals with symptoms of his original diagnosis. But we’re so thankful that currently, his health is stable and doing incredibly well in family care. We are thrilled to see his progress, and we can’t wait to watch him grow up surrounded by the love of a family.

You Are Alan’s Hero

Thank you for making this possible! You have changed Alan’s life and given him hope for a better future. You are a hero to Alan, to us, and to other orphaned and vulnerable children around the world.

We are so grateful for your support and partnership. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans…because every child deserves a family.