img

STORIES OF HOPE

Access to daycare transforms a dad’s life

How your support helped a father in Nepal give his children a safe place to grow

The best place for children to grow and thrive is with a safe, loving family.  

But families around the world are increasingly vulnerable as poverty threatens to tear them apart. Unable to provide their children the nutritious food, health care and other critical necessities they need to learn, grow and thrive, some parents consider the heartbreaking possibility that their children would have a brighter future separated from them.  

After his wife passed away during the birth of their second child, Darpan*, a father in Nepal, started each morning with that impossible question. 

He was overwhelmed by grief and struggling to earn a sustainable living as a taxi driver while ensuring his newborn daughter was safe. With no one to care for her while he worked, Darpan made the painful choice to send the baby girl to live with her grandparents. 

“I was grieving and trying to care for two young children by myself,” he recalls. “That was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.” 

He couldn’t imagine missing all her milestones: first smile, first laugh, first steps—and, thanks to dedicated SOS partners, he doesn’t have to. 

Darpan connected with SOS Children’s Villages strengthening program, which provides the resources—like parenting support, economic empowerment, health care services, nutrition, education and more—families need to stay together and thrive. 

With access to an SOS day care center, Darpan now had a safe space for his daughter to learn, play and grow while he worked.  

“As a single parent, finding a place where my daughter is safe and cared for has been a great relief,” Darpan said. “I can now work a full day without worry. Knowing she is well looked after gives me the peace of mind to focus on providing for my family.” 

Each evening, instead of wondering about her latest achievements, he experiences her new words, developing skills and budding confidence firsthand. 

 “I see her learning and growing—and that gives me strength,” he said. “Even in loss, I’ve learned that we can still move forward.” 

Generous friends like you help prevent family separation today—and create generational change by breaking cycles of poverty, building community resilience and ensuring children grow up in the loving environments they need to thrive.  

Help strengthen another family with hope today. 

Support this work

Read more

From grief to hope: How one mother rebuilt her family’s life in Nepal

When Leela’s* husband unexpectedly passed away from an illness, she was left alone and grieving—with no income to support her two children. 

Like many women in Nepal, she faced an uncertain future without the skills or resources needed for financial independence and stability.  

Reunited after two years: A holiday of hope in Gaza

In Gaza, at least 19,000 children have been separated from their families—lost in the chaos of war and destroyed infrastructure. 

Two-year-old Fares* was one of them—until a compassionate partner like you helped him find his way home.  

Five devastating effects of family separation on children—and how we can stop it

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving family, surrounded by the support and stability they need to thrive.  

Yet, millions of children worldwide are unnecessarily separated from their families due to poverty, war, displacement, natural disasters and other crises.