...come as a one-year old boy, severely neglected and malnourished‚ as a seven-year old girl who has experienced an unimaginable amount of abuse and neglect‚ as a three-year old girl whose exact age is unknown because her birthparents are also unknown, as twelve-year olds who are still in third grade‚ as a family whose mother has died of cancer‚ as a family whose mother has died of AIDS. Our children come as a family whose mother is mentally ill and whose father, despite his best intentions, just couldn’t care for them‚ as a family of older sisters caring for younger siblings because the mother is always working‚ as siblings whose mother has left the country to work and whose father will not raise his children. They come to us malnourished and dehydrated, with severe rashes and chest infections, unable to walk despite being three years old. They come to us neglected and abused, with a multitude of traumas inside and out, both physical and emotional. They do not respect authority or trust that we will follow through on our promises. They are beaten, broken and scarred.
BUT‚ When they come to the Farm of the Child, they find a medical clinic that is always open‚ a home with a warm bed, clean clothes and three complete meals a day‚ parents who love them and care for them no matter how difficult it may be‚ Franciscan Sisters and international volunteers who will drop everything to play soccer, read a book, help with homework, or just sit and talk. They find a Christian community ready to embrace them, love them, and help them grow into caring, Christian adults.
Our children have grown personally, academically, and spiritually since their arrivals at the Farm. Their bodies have healed from infections and rashes of every kind; they have learned to walk, jump, climb trees and ride bicycles. They have adapted to the structure and discipline of the Farm, have overcome shyness and mistrust and continually learn to relate with their parents and new siblings in a loving and appropriate manner. They study hard to pass two grade levels in one year and catch up to their peers. They graduate from 6th grade (equivalent to 8th) and 12th grade (equivalent of high school) and dream of going to university and medical school. They have received First Communion and Confirmation, and are quick to volunteer to read or lead us in prayer. They heal, both physically and emotionally, through the love and dedication of our houseparents, Sisters and volunteers.
