“Healthier, Stronger, and Happier”: Federico’s Story

We say it often – every child deserves a family. Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, secure, cherished, and supported. And we are constantly amazed at the difference the love of a family makes in the life of a child. 

For Federico, a young boy in Chihuahua, Mexico, a family changed his life and his future…and we are so grateful.

Federico’s Story

Federico’s father passed when he was just a baby. With his mother out of the picture, it was up to his grandmother to raise him. Still hurting from her son’s death and overwhelmed with the burden of raising an infant, Federico’s grandmother turned to alcohol for refuge. 

She began dropping Federico at institutions to be taken care of for days at a time. She would bring him home only on weekends, and even then, she would splurge her weekly wages on alcohol and drink. Federico’s life consisted of uncertainty and danger – until one October night. 

That night, as usual, Federico’s grandma was craving alcohol and looking for ways to satisfy her addiction. Endangering Federico’s life, she brought him into a bar and began to drink. Thankfully, the authorities were notified about the baby at the bar and the woman who’d brought him. 

At just four years old, Federico was placed full time in an institution. Life had been hard on him, and as a result, Federico built an angry barrier around himself. He acted out constantly, having frequent temper tantrums and violent outbursts. He was diagnosed with ADD and separated from the only family he knew. He felt alone…and by all accounts, he was alone. But he was not forgotten. 

A new chance…and a Changed Life

Luis and Michelle have a heart for loving people. They were already volunteering as mentors several teenagers in their community. But their hearts had room for more!

 Luis and Michelle took Federico in. When he first came to them, he was an angry, violent kid. Federico even got in a few fights on his first week of school! But Luis and Michelle could see beneath the anger and beyond the violent outbursts, and they were able to pierce through the bitterness and loneliness. By showing him the love of a family, they were able to find and bring out the loving, joyful, passionate child in Federico. 

“He is like a completely different child,” said Luis when we paid him a visit recently. “Not only has his anger gone away, but he is healthier, stronger, and happier.” 

Thank you for changing Federico’s life. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans!