Learning To Love A Family: Joel’s Story

At The Hope Effect, we know every child deserves a family. With your support and partnership, we are working to get more orphaned and vulnerable children out of orphanages and into loving families.

For countless reasons, kids do better when they are raised in families. Children need a stable, loving family structure to learn how to bond with others and develop healthy relationships. This helps facilitate a healthy transition to adulthood and prepares children to raise families of their own one day.

Joel’s story illustrates just how important it is to grow up in a family. This little boy from Chihuahua, Mexico, had no experience with the unconditional love of a family…until you changed his life forever!

Joel’s Story

Joel was placed into an institution at an early age due to omission of care, meaning he was not properly cared for in his biological family. This typically means he was neglected or living in another dangerous situation. Joel doesn’t have many memories of his past, and when asked about his life prior to the orphanage, Joel says he only remembers “police.”

He remained in the institution for two years. With his intelligence and bright personality, he learned how to navigate life in the orphanage, often getting his way by charming the staff and visitors. But on the inside, he was a scared, insecure child.

Joel had never learned how to interact with a real family and had never received unconditional love. He also faced recurring health problems and respiratory complications during his time in the institution.

Learning To Love A Family

Thankfully, the Sigala family opened their home and hearts to Joel. In this family, Joel not only gained a mother and a father; he also got a new brother and sister. As you can imagine, the initial transition was challenging, and the Sigalas were afraid he wouldn’t bond with any members of the family. But they didn’t give up, as they understood it takes time to build trust and develop a relationship.

Joel remained with the Sigala family for two years. Over time, Joel bonded with each of them – especially the family’s daughter, with whom he became best friends. And Joel learned how to interact with a family, take responsibility for himself and his actions, and create healthy boundaries with others. 

Above all else, Joel learned about unconditional love. He realized that despite his insecurities and inevitable mistakes, this family loved him no matter what. 

Finding A FOrever Family

Two years after the Sigala family took him in, Joel’s case for adoption was finally approved. We are thrilled to report that Joel has been adopted by a loving family! 

This is all thanks to you! Because of you, Joel was able to thrive in family-style care while learning what it means to be part of a loving family. And now in his forever family, he is happy and healthy. 

If you’d like to help more children like Joel find loving families, we’d be honored if you would partner with us. You are making such a difference in the lives of children around the world. Thank you for changing Joel’s life, and thank you for changing the way the world cares for orphans!