Partnerships to give hope and strength to parents
Part 3 of our 3-part series on how partnerships help make a difference.
Parenting is just as hard in other countries as it is in the US. We all need family and friends to enjoy the best moments in life and to support us through difficult times.
In India, our partner Sarah’s Covenant Homes (SCH) has worked to strengthen parents so they can care for their own. This story of Ramarao and Shanti is an example of how, with support, children and parents can reunite and become a family again.
Ramarao and Shanti with their 2 boys
Several years ago, HIV positive and tuberculosis infected, Ramarao and Shanti felt they could no longer give their children the lives they deserved. They left their two boys in the care of the government and because of their health, they were referred to SCH.
Ramarao and Shanti suffered from depression and felt they had no reason to live. They ran towards the train tracks to end their lives. Fortunately, they were not successful.
After the failed suicide attempt, Ramarao and Shanti spent months in the hospital and began to recover physically and mentally. They realized they wanted to care for their children and spoke with the government orphanage and local child protection services but were told they did not deserve their children and could not visit them.
Believing children belong in families, SCH worked to do the best for the boys, supporting Ramarao and Shanti as they took the steps to be reunified with their boys.
Ramarao and Shanti receive counseling from their case managers
They received family counseling, found employment, rented a home and were prepared for their children to return home.
Since the reunification, Shanti has given birth to her third child, a healthy baby girl. SCH continues counseling the parents through family difficulties. The family is together because Ramarao and Shanti now have the support they need to cope with depression, reduce stress and raise healthy children.“We finally have hope. We are both orphans, but thanks to our case managers, we know we are not alone.”—- Shanti
By working together, we can create a world where every family has hope and a support system they can turn to during times of need.
Help more parents have hope and support.
