Love has a way of radically transforming lives. At Forward Edge, we place our focus on helping children trapped in poverty reach their full, God-given potential (Ephesians 2:10) by meeting their basic needs (food, safe water, health care) and empowering them with quality education, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. This holistic model helps vulnerable children receive the care they often desperately need. What is the result? They begin to thrive.
However, while food, water and education are crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty, love is what penetrates the heart and creates lasting change in the lives of the children our programs serve. Every program leader in our locations has dedicated themselves to forming deep relationships with the children and loving them consistently. For many children, this may be the first time in their life they’ve experienced the love of Jesus. This was true for Nubia.
Nubia’s Story: A Life Transformed
Nubia first came to Trigo y Miel, Forward Edge’s children’s program in Oaxaca, Mexico for tutoring, as she was severely behind in school. Victor and Lety Velasco, our program directors, quickly noticed that Nubia was sad, withdrawn, and unwilling to try. It was then that Victor and Lety showed extra concern for Nubia, and that is when she opened up to them, describing herself as “ugly”, “fat”, and “stupid”. She told them there was no use in trying to help her because she believed she would never amount to anything. Sadly, these were the exact words her family would use for her in her childhood, and over time she had begun to wear them like a heavy shroud, carrying them with her everywhere she went.
Victor and Lety began to speak the truth to Nubia and tell her she was beautiful, smart, and worthy of being loved. Each day she came to the program, she heard these words of love and affirmation and as a result, began to improve in every area of her life. She quickly caught up in school and over the years rose to the top of her class! She became a leader in the program and began mentoring younger kids who needed to hear those same life-giving words Victor and Lety had repeated to her. As demonstrated in Nubia’s life, the role a loving adult plays in a child’s life, especially as a mentor, is invaluable. It is love that moves mountains.
The Role of a Caring Adult
Child Trends, a nonprofit research center that conducts research on the well-being of children and factors affecting children’s lives, reported that “… the presence of one or more caring, committed adults in a child’s life increases the likelihood that children and youth flourish, and become productive adults themselves.”
Fortunately, Nubia has also been loved by and enjoyed a close relationship with her sponsor, Barbara. In a letter to Barbara at Christmas, Nubia wrote, “I love to write to you and tell you about my life and my dreams. It is so good for me. I am fulfilling my goals little by little. I´m going to college and working part time. The college campus is so big, and it is fully equipped. I will be doing my practicum soon. I think it will be at a hospital or in a community outside of the city. I´m learning a lot. Thank you for your gift and for your love. I know you are on my side, and you love me no matter what.”
How Powerful Love Is
Nubia experienced a new beginning when she came to Trigo y Miel. A beginning marked by deep love and care through her relationship with Victor and Lety, and later through her sponsor, Barbara. This changed the trajectory of her life, her outlook, and her ability to step into God’s plans for her life.
Now, she’s flourishing and has a true sense of worth and purpose. What a testament to how powerful love is.
This blog is a part of an ongoing series on Forward Edge’s Pearl Partners. Check out our highlights on Cuba and Haiti and enjoy this interview with Jane Wathagana. 20 years ago, Jane Wathagana was a successful businesswoman in Kenya, the Director of Animal World Safaris and Elangata Luxury
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20 yrs. old
Entered the program: January 2019
Gerald and his mother live in a two-bedroom house in a safe neighborhood near a police station. They use a one-bulb solar panel for lighting, and a charcoal stove to prepare meals; water is fetched from a tap which is nearby. Gerald’s mother is a vegetable vendor and has a permanent stall in one of the markets which is close to home; she is the sole provider for the family. The family is catholic and takes time to pray and recite the rosary together.
Plus bonus group fundraising ideas!
