Saying Yes To Hope: Daniela’s Story

Every child's journey is unique, yet all share a common need: the love and stability of a family. This truth resonates deeply in the world of caring for orphaned and vulnerable children.

These children, each with their own story, come from difficult circumstances and face uncertain futures. But with your support, The Hope Effect is working to change the way the world cares for orphans. Together, we provide children with the love, support, and care they need to thrive.

Thanks to you, these children are not alone on their journey. Your support enables them to be surrounded by a robust network—a network that spans governments, communities, compassionate foster families, and individuals like you.

Through our shared vision, compassion for children, and unity of purpose, we can ensure more children have the opportunity to grow up in loving families. For Daniela, a baby girl from Michoacán, Mexico, this network allowed her to experience the love of a family when she needed it most.

Reflecting on her story, we're deeply encouraged by the multitude of people who said yes to helping Daniela. From the government of Michoacán endorsing family care, to Daniela’s foster family opening their home, to our incredibly generous supporters partnering with us to change orphan care — everyone played a vital role in transforming Daniela’s life through the love of a family.

Daniela’s Story

Daniela was surrendered to the authorities immediately after she was born because her mother was unable to care for her. After receiving initial care at the hospital, she was taken to an orphanage in Michoacán.

While the workers at the orphanage loved Daniela and cared for her the best they could, institutional care cannot possibly match the love, support, and stability found within a family. Infants and young children raised in orphanages often face long-lasting, damaging effects on their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. When kids don’t receive adequate personal interaction within a loving environment, development is stunted and learning abilities may be delayed or even lost completely. 

As a newborn, Daniela desperately needed the love of a family. And thankfully, because of you, Daniela would not remain at the orphanage for long.

Saying Yes To Hope

We are grateful that the government of Michoacán wants a better future for their children. After Daniela was taken to the orphanage, the government contacted our team to find a family solution. Our team immediately reached out to the Ortegas, a wonderful family who had previously fostered another little girl.

When the Ortegas were contacted about this baby girl who needed a family, they understood the enormity of the decision. They also understood the significant impact they could have in her life.

The Ortega family said yes. Yes to loving this little girl while she waited for her forever family. Yes to going back to the newborn phase, even though they were well past that stage with their biological daughters. Yes to changing Daniela’s life through the love of a family.

Growing and Thriving

When she was 20 days old, Daniela was welcomed into loving family care. With individual attention and personalized care from her foster family, Daniela began to grow and thrive.

She reached new milestones daily, gaining strength and improving in her coordination. As weeks and months passed, she began lifting her head, sitting up, and developing her fine motor skills.  

Daniela also started expressing her emotions and finding ways to communicate her needs. She developed different cries for when she was tired or hungry, and she learned that her family would meet those needs and take care of her.  

As she learned she was safe and loved, Daniela began to bond with her foster family. She showed signs that she recognized each family member as a safe person.

“Her first smile was eight days after she was here and from then on, she hasn't stopped smiling,” said Daniela’s foster mom. “We talk to her for a little while, and then she smiles at us. She already identifies our faces.”

Thank You For Saying Yes

We are thrilled to report that Daniela will soon be adopted. This beautiful little girl has already been loved so much, and she will continue to be loved in her forever family.

Thank you for making this possible! You have changed Daniela’s life, and we are incredibly grateful. Thank you for saying yes to helping orphaned and vulnerable children experience the love only a family can provide.

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

*The names of the child and the family have been changed to protect their privacy.