Reunited In Hope: Laura And Eliana’s Story
Note: This blog post was collaboratively written with Alejandra Castro of Back2Back.
In the heart of a small town on the quiet outskirts of Monterrey, Mexico, two sisters found themselves in a children's home at a young age. Their mother was unable to provide a stable home, so Laura* and Eliana*, along with their younger siblings, were placed in the children’s home.
The girls navigated the child protection system for years, struggling to overcome the trauma of their past. Now teenagers, Laura and Eliana carry a history of hardship, but they also possess a resilience that is guiding them toward a brighter future.
A Beacon of Hope
Since April 2023, The Hope Effect has partnered with Back2Back Mexico to make a significant difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children. Through the Strong Families program, which focuses on reintegration, children are getting out of orphanages and back into their loving families.
Amidst childhood challenges that led them to the children's home, Laura and Eliana’s journey took a hopeful turn. You see, Laura and Eliana are part of the estimated 80% of children living in institutional care worldwide who actually have family members who could care for them. Their uncle, a committed, loving figure in their lives, emerged as a beacon of hope and stability.
Laura and Eliana’s uncle had always tried his best to support the family. Although he never had children of his own, he had a heart for his nieces and nephews. When he learned that the kids were in a children’s home, he wanted to help.
Their uncle agreed to provide kinship care for Laura and Eliana. Kinship care is when children and youth live with relatives, such as aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, or other extended family. While the uncle wasn’t able to care for Laura and Eliana’s brothers at his home, he is committed to supporting their siblings who are still in the children’s home.
Despite his advancing years and occasional health setbacks, their uncle has dedicated himself to supporting Laura and Eliana as they embark on a journey of healing. He has become not just a guardian, but a source of unwavering support.
The Journey to Healing
With the assistance of our dedicated team committed to their well-being, Laura and Eliana began to unravel the layers of trauma that had shadowed their young lives. They are embarking on a long, holistic path of healing.
Thanks to the Strong Families program, the girls have dedicated psychologists and social workers by their side. Together, they are beginning to navigate the complexities of their past, rebuilding their sense of self-worth, and preparing for a future that not long ago, they hadn’t dared to dream of.
While the journey to healing is far from over, we celebrate the significant progress Laura and Eliana have made. When they arrived at their uncle’s home, both girls expressed interest in receiving life skills training. They also set a goal of going back to high school.
In striving for these goals, Laura and Eliana have shown incredible determination. With the support of their uncle and the Strong Families program, they are beginning to learn essential life skills, like emotional regulation and self-care. These skills are preparing the sisters not only for academics, but for building healthy relationships, forgiving others, making sense of their past, identifying their worth, and fighting to accomplish their goals.
We are thrilled to share that the girls recently enrolled in and started high school. They look forward to completing their education and graduating. Mariana, a social worker with the Strong Families program, mentioned that for Laura and Eliana, going to school isn’t just an ordinary task – it’s a celebration of their determination to not let anything keep them from trying.
A Brighter Tomorrow
For Laura and Eliana, this journey isn’t just about personal healing; it’s about a hopeful future for the whole family. While the girls flourish in their new environment, their younger brothers remain in the children's home. They are separated by distance, but their desire to live together as a family again keeps them connected.
Our team is working diligently to bridge the gap and facilitate regular visitations between the sisters and their brothers. We are working through logistical issues, ensuring that familial bonds remain strong despite the physical separation. Ultimately, the hope is to also reintegrate the younger siblings into the care of their uncle with the support of their older sisters.
As they look toward the horizon, Laura and Eliana see a future bright with possibilities. With every hurdle, they overcome and every milestone they achieve, they rewrite their narrative from one of adversity to one of triumph. Their journey is a testament to the enduring strength of family bonds and the healing power of unconditional love.
In the embrace of their uncle's care and with the support of our team, Laura and Eliana continue to rewrite their story – a story of resilience, hope, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow for themselves and their reunited family.
Thank you so much for making it all possible. Through your continued support and partnership, you are changing lives and giving children across the globe hope for the future.
Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans...because every child deserves a family.
*Images of the family have been shared with their permission. The children’s names have been changed to protect their privacy.